• The initiative was brought to life by the Industry-Academic Collaboration in the Economic Sectors’ Labor Market Group, part of the Advisory Committee for Higher Education and Future Skills

United Arab Emirates: The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) hosted a roadshow, including two specialised workshops, to introduce higher education institutions (HEIs) to the Academic-Industry Sabbatical Programme. The sessions were organised by the Industry-Academic Collaboration in the Economic Sectors’ Labor Market Group under the Advisory Committee for Higher Education and Future Skills.

The workshops are part of the Ministry’s efforts to strengthen collaboration between HEIs and economic sectors. The initiative enables university students and faculty members to take time off from their studies or professional duties to work with prospective employers in priority sectors, gaining practical experience that enriches learning journeys and enhances students’ readiness for the labour market and the future. It also supports continuous curriculum updates in HEIs in line with the aspirations of economic sector leaders, by integrating faculty’s real-world experience and keeping programmes aligned with evolving technologies and industry skills.

Dr. Faisal Alayyan, President and CEO of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) and Chairman of the Industry-Academic Collaboration in the Economic Sectors’ Labor Market Group, led the first workshop in Abu Dhabi. Dr. Khalid Askar, Director of Innovation and Scientific Research at MoHESR, led the second workshop in Dubai.

Both sessions witnessed strong engagement, bringing together more than 180 representatives of 22 HEIs, including university leaders, faculty members and administrative staff from various departments.

The workshops presented an overview of the structure of the Academic-Industry Sabbatical Programme and its implementation roadmap at a national level. The participants also discussed the needs of universities and provided their feedback on the programme’s design and implementation mechanisms. This collaborative approach supports the gradual expansion of the initiative to attract more HEIs and private sector partners, ensuring it serves priority sectors across the UAE.

As part of the introductory phase, additional sessions will be organised for industrial sectors to collect further feedback.

Once implemented, the initiative will support the development of R&D programmes and strengthen their practical application. It will also provide students with high-quality training and employment opportunities upon graduation while enabling faculty members to gain first-hand industry insights that can be integrated into the curricula and teaching methods. This will empower them to prepare students to navigate real-world challenges and acquire the practical skills necessary for future employment.

These efforts are part of an integrated approach led by MoHESR to enhance alignment between academic pathways and the needs of economic sectors and the labour market. The Ministry continues to develop human capital in line with the objectives of the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision and the UAE Centennial 2071.

For further information, please contact:
Maher Al Bash
Weber Shandwick
E: MAlbash@webershandwick.com

Sara Abuhassira
Weber Shandwick
E: SAbuhassira@webershandwick.com

Sara Farrah
Weber Shandwick
E: SFarrah@webershandwick.com