Capital Club hosts forum with Minister of Higher Education and Research

Sheikh Nahayan: Investment in human capital is dependent on an effective system of education and training

Dubai, 3 June 2010: Capital Club Dubai, the region's premier private business club and a member of the ENSHAA group of companies, yesterday hosted a Business Lunch Forum with His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mabarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chancellor of UAE University and the Higher Colleges of Technology, and President of Zayed University, as the guest of honour.

Raza Jafar, the Chairman of the Signature Club and CEO of Enshaa, welcomed HH Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mabarak Al Nahyan. In the welcome speech, Guy Guillemard, CEO of the Signature Club, welcomed the chief guest on behalf of the board of governors and members of the club and also welcomed His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mabarak Al Nahyan as an honorary member of the club.

HH Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mabarak Al Nahyan, who has played a vital leadership role in education initiatives such as the Festival of Thinkers and Education Without Borders, and who initiated mobile technology in education throughout the country, spoke about his vision for education in the UAE.

"The UAE is committed to a knowledge-based future. In a knowledge-based economy, human capital is the engine of economic growth, and investment in human capital is dependent on an effective system of education and training. We are determined to have an education system that draws on the world's best knowledge and resources. We aim for our students to develop critical that will allow them to understand the complexity of the world, and enable them to devise innovative new ideas and put them into practice."

HH Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mabarak Al Nahyan emphasised that education has always been one of the UAE's highest priorities, a fact that is reflected in the country's current adult literacy rate of over 90 percent - up significantly from the 1975 figures of 54 percent for men and 31 percent for women.

"All of our national leaders follow in the great tradition of our founding president, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan who saw education as a 'lantern that lights our way in the dark'. Our leaders have consistently supported education as an important engine of economic growth and social development, and as a way to provide every citizen with the opportunity to develop his or her full potential," he said.

"For our country to be successful, all of our students must have the education that will permit them to contribute to their society in line with their talents and their goals. The investment in human capital is a responsibility that rests on the shoulders of all segments of society. We must see ourselves as members of the Global Academic Community and understand the parameters for reaching international excellence in education."

"To deal successfully with the critical challenges facing us requires at least three necessary elements: National Leaders who are wise, have a clear vision for the future, and act with energy and imagination to create a successful environment for building the nation's human capital; schools, colleges and universities that help create a successful environment that supports the building of human capital; and a business community whose members are endowed with a strong sense of social responsibility."

The UAE's focus on education is paying off, as the country currently has one of the highest application participation rates in the world, with 95 percent of women and 80 percent of men enrolled in the final year of secondary school applying for admission to a higher education institution.

Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mabarak Al Nahyan concluded his presentation with an appeal: "I ask every private sector employer to actively and aggressively recruit and employ National graduates. Companies must work vigorously to employ qualified Nationals in all aspects of the U.A.E. economy. Nationals make great contributions to their companies and institutions. We must showcase these contributions and develop role models for our country. As we build our national human capital, we must always remember that the productive employment of National graduates is the way to ensure their proper participation in the economic and social life of their country."

For Russell Matcham, Capital Club CEO, the event was insightful. "It was not only an honour to host this lunch forum with His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mabarak Al Nahyan, but the event was also very insightful as he shared his plans for devising and implementing a strategy that will ensure that the UAE's youth is educated, ready and able to meet global demands and challenges."

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About Capital Club:
The Capital Club is exclusively designed to meet the demands of those among the top echelons of business, finance and government in the region; in other words, those high flyers who are powering the region's growth and turning Dubai into the business hub of the Middle East.

The Capital Club is Dubai's premier private business club offering an elegant and welcoming ambience in which to mix and meet, to exchange ideas and to entertain guests. The Club is committed to the highest levels of comfort and cuisine, exceptional events and an unmatched level of personal service, at home and abroad.

The leading cities of the world have outstanding private clubs where leaders in business and government meet and entertain. Now Dubai has an exclusive Club that compares with the best.

The Capital Club is owned by Capital Club Limited, a single-purpose company registered under the DIFC.

The major shareholder of the company is Signature Clubs International, which is responsible for the development and operation of the Club.

For further information, please contact:
Serine Srouji
SAHARA Communications
Tel: +971 4 3298996
Fax: +971 4 3298995
Mob: +961 3 581 208
Email: serin@saharagcc.com
www.saharagcc.com

© Press Release 2010