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The MoU aims to prepare next generation of Emirati youth for high quality jobs in line with market-specific needs
GE will provide internship opportunities, develop GE Garages for Higher Education Institutions, and roll out its technology toolkit for a University Challenge program
Abu Dhabi, UAE - The UAE Ministry of Education, in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul, Cabinet Member and Minister of State for Higher Education, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding for strategic cooperation with GE (NYSE: GE) to pioneer a new career-oriented innovation and talent development program for Emirati youth.
The MoU is aligned with the National Youth Agenda, recently announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The focus of the Agenda is on preparing the next generation of Emirati students for high quality jobs, especially in the private sector, by building skills and proficiencies.
GE will share its extensive global knowledge base, resources, expertise, and professional training capabilities to create tailored programs and initiatives to help develop the professional skills of Emirati youth. The program will be implemented in phases, starting with an assessment of the current and future market needs for professionals and identifying areas for development. Phase two will be the implementation of a strategic plan to establish new programs to develop innovation and talent.
As part of the MoU, GE and MOE will also drive joint research and innovation activities on Industrial Internet to support the digital transformation of industry to achieve unprecedented levels of efficiency and productivity. The two entities would focus on developing digital industrial innovations covering areas including next generation sensor and data analytics capabilities for industrial installations in the UAE such as oil fields, LNG plants, refineries, power plants and airports. Accordingly, MoE plans to secure graduate students in specialized areas such as data science, digital engineering and IT with GE supporting them on high-level futuristic research for potential commercialization of technology.
Announcing the partnership, Dr. Belhoul said: “This agreement leverages GE’s proven strengths in leadership training, advanced technologies and innovation all of which bolster the knowledge based economy of the United Arab Emirates. By expanding research and development opportunities and improving our universities, we are cultivating talent and fostering entrepreneurship, always striving to produce business leaders and academics who exemplify the best of the UAE higher education system.”
Jeffrey Immelt, GE’s Chairman & CEO, witnessed the signing. He said: “Building the skills of the next generation of professionals to meet industry-specific needs is a core commitment of GE. The UAE’s leadership is setting an exemplary model in future talent development, which inspires us to invest further in local talent development. Our partnership with the Ministry of Education to develop a workplace-oriented innovation and development program for Emirati youth will help build a large talent pool of professionals, who will contribute to the industries of the future, especially in advanced manufacturing and digital applications.”
As per the MoU, the Ministry of Education will share technical and manpower support for the success of the project. In collaboration with GE, the Ministry will develop and schedule training programs for university students to be conducted by GE andits partners. The Ministry will also facilitate accreditations from relevant bodies for the training programs.
GE will provide access for Emirati students to its internship programs within the UAE or abroad. The company will also provide access to world-renowned business leadership curriculum developed at GE’s Crotonville University campus. Additionally, new courses may be designed for delivery to students, either in the UAE or at the Crotonville campusin the US.
To promote innovation, a GE Garages for Schools advanced manufacturing program will be developed, which will include student visits to the GE Ecomagination Innovation Center in Masdar City, opening doors for training related to rapid, localized prototyping and advanced manufacturing. The program will cover critical skills for the present and future such as coding, 3D printing and design, and the principles of small scale manufacturing.
GE will also launch a UAE university-specific “Unimpossible” Open Innovation Challenge, which calls for students to use the GE technology toolkit to tackle a problem previously deemed “impossible” to solve.
Finally, GE and the Ministry will form a committee to examine models of cooperation and collaboration between the private and public sectors to accelerate innovation through funding and grants. This will include benchmarking and best practice sharing of work already being done through GE’s Global Innovation Network. Together, the partners will explore models that will further the UAE’s vision for innovation.
Dalya Al Muthanna, President & CEO, GE Gulf, said: “The UAE leadership has set a comprehensive roadmap for developing the professional skills of our youth. Through this MoU, we aim to set a new template for talent development, based on market needs. By working with the Ministry of Education, we will help prepare young Emiratis to secure high quality professional jobs and also enhance their entrepreneurial mindset. We will adopt a hands-on approach by training them on next-generation technologies, and inspire them to co-create innovative solutions that drive our economy’s growth. This MoU further underlines our commitment to helping achieve the goals of UAE Vision 2021 and the National Youth Agenda announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.”
The MoU builds on GE’s long-term commitment to the UAE to drive talent development and innovation. GE works with local startups, SMEs, schools and universities, government entities, and other partners to support the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem in the country.
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GE (NYSE: GE) is the world’s Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the "GE Store," through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry. www.ge.com
For more information, please contact:
Caroline Wehbeh
GE Communications Leader, MENAT
+9714 4296318
caroline.wehbeh@ge.com
Kelly Home | Nivine William
ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller
+9714 4507 600
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© Press Release 2016
