30 June 2015
Telecom operator's continued partnership with AUD empowers UAE Nationals with tools for a bright future

Dubai - du continues its scholarship agreement with the American University in Dubai (AUD) to provide young Emirati students with the resources to contribute to the UAE's burgeoning knowledge based economy. This continued agreement is in line with du's efforts to empower the community by development of Emirati individuals through its core business and services, under the company's knowledge empowerment platform.

The AUD scholarship offers 20 selected Emirati high school graduates a full time scholarship in pursuing their studies at the American University of Dubai (AUD). The scholarship provides great opportunities to motivate nationals to continue their higher studies and empowers them by providing the tools and skills that will enable them to enter the Emirati workforce.

"This is our opportunity to support the UAE leadership in their goals towards creating a smart future, one in which national participation in the workforce is vital. At du we believe that students are the bedrock for a sustainable, knowledge based economy and providing them with the tools to succeed allows us to make a positive contribution to our country and its people," said Ibrahim Nassir, Chief Human Capital and Administration Officer, du. "Our partnership with AUD will help shape the thought leaders of tomorrow and offer Emiratis a workplace advantage by refining their career path, knowledge and skills. du's topmost priority is the well-being, progression and engagement of our Emirati colleagues, and we are proud to support the UAE's vision in this way."

Aspiring students need to pass the admission criteria and have a minimum of 80% in high school results. Supported majors include Bachelor of Communication and Information Studies (B.C.I.S), Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Interior Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Visual Communication, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (B.S.C.E.), Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (B.S.Comp.E.), Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.) and Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E.). For students who miss out on getting a TOFEL score of 550, there are two Intensive English Language courses, covered by the scholarship: IELC Level 3 and IELC Level 4. Upon receiving the scholarships, the student must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 per semester and must pass the two Intensive English Language courses. Full details of the scholarship, including the application process, can be found at http://www.du.ae/about-us/du-scholarships. The annual scholarship application deadline is 20 August 2015.

In addition to the AUD scholarship programme, du also offers students in various stages of their studies with sponsorship, internship and graduate trainee programmes. In addition, du attends a number of career fairs and career days to offer UAE Nationals gainful employment following their studies. In 2015, du has participated in a total number of 3 Career Fairs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ajman. Furthermore, du participated in the UAE-UK Pioneers Forum that took place in London seeking to connect with a set of highly skilled young UAE national's students perusing their higher studies in the UK.

-Ends-

About du
We started operating in 2007, offering mobile and fixed telephony, broadband connectivity and IPTV services. Today, we serve more than 7.5 million individual customers and over 80,000 businesses in the UAE. We also provide carrier services for businesses and satellite up/downlink services for TV broadcasters.

We won the Gallup Great Workplace Award. Our recruitment strategy aims to provide fulfilling opportunities for quality talent in a cosmopolitan working environment where more than 60 nationalities work 35% of which are Emiratis. We are the first telecom company in the world to release a Sustainability Report based on GRI-G4 comprehensive guidelines. Among our other laurels, we also have the credit of being the first in the UAE to be awarded with prestigious LEED Platinum certification for 2 of our green retail outlet.

du is 39.5 percent owned by Emirates Investment Authority, 20.08 percent by Mubadala Development Company PJSC, 19.5 percent by Emirates Communications and Technology LLC and the remaining by public shareholders. Listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM), the company trades under the name 'du'.

For further information, please contact:
Saugat Chatterjee
PR Lead (B2B)
Brand & Communications
du
Mobile: +971559367045
Email: Saugat.Chatterjee@du.ae

Paramita Chakrabarti
LeoComm PR
Tel: +971 4 367 6159
Mobile: +971 55 6088674
Fax: +971 4 367 2615
Email: paramita.chakrabarti@leocommpr.com

© Press Release 2015