Thursday, Jun 13, 2013
Al Ain: Thirteen Emirati employees of Al Ain Zoo have completed professional training from abroad under a programme to ensure sustainability in the zoo’s leadership and management.
The trainees, comprising the first three batches, took the advanced courses at the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland. More Emiratis are currently receiving training at the institute, a spokesperson of the zoo said.
Ganem Al Hajeri, director general of Al Ain Zoo, said: “The development of UAE nationals is among the most vital factors to ensure Al Ain Zoo’s expansion and so that it enjoys continued success and sustainability in its leadership and management.”
He said a tailormade training and development programme with a well-reputed institution was an ideal way to further the zoo’s commitment to Emiratisation. Al Ain Zoo and the IMD had entered into a partnership agreement last month. The zoo is currently gearing up to send a fourth batch of employees for training at the IMD.
Mariam Al Shamsi, director of human resources and strategy at Al Ain Zoo, said that the organisation had been involved in dedicated efforts to enhance the skills of Emirati employees so that they would be well placed to take over leadership roles. “It is imperative we work towards the development of the young leaders now to excel as leaders in the distinct industry of wildlife tourism and conservation in the close future,” she said.
The training initiative follows the zoo’s recent announcement that UAE national workforce makes up 33 per cent of its employees across different departments.
The training programme include the IMD’s Programme for Executive Development (PED), High Performance Leadership (HPL), Advanced Strategic Management (ASM), and Building on Talent (BOT) modules focusing on nurturing the strong pool of talented UAE nationals in middle and senior management positions at the organisation, she said.
The areas of cooperation, as part of the three-year agreement, will be extend to executive development courses offered by the IMD in Switzerland, USA, Brazil, and Hong Kong, Mariam said.
The zoo is also keen on signing memorandums of understanding with UAE institutions by the end of summer, including Al Ain Department of Economic Development and Al Ain Municipality to facilitate further training programmes, she said.
By Aftab Kazmi, Bureau Chief
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
