The Higher Colleges of Technology’s Abu Dhabi Women’s College (ADWC) hosted over forty private and government organisations on Tuesday, at its annual Career Fair. This year the theme was ‘Emiratisation is our Priority’, in support of the colleges’ ongoing ‘Absher’ initiative activities.
The event was formally opened by Dr Tayeb Kamali, Vice Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, with a brief welcome address. In attendance were HCT-Abu Dhabi Colleges Director Sultan Hussain Karmostaji and senior representatives from several participating local organisations.
The event was sponsored by Gulf Capital, which is also offering several opportunities for graduates. Dr Karim El Solh, Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Capital, said: “Gulf Capital believes that it is very important for the private sector to attract young Emirati talent. We want to play a catalyst role to encourage Emiratis to enter the private workforce. Together with Emirates Foundation we launched an E-community that connects Emiratis to private sector opportunities for internships and hopefully future job placements. Our support for the Higher Colleges of Technology Career Fair is in line with our strategy.”
The event attracted several hundred students and graduates eager to become acquainted with employers, share their CVs, and sit for job interviews at the fair. Additionally, education providers showcased further educational opportunities available for Abu Dhabi and Khalifa City’ Women’s Colleges’ qualified graduates, and students due to graduate in June 2014.
Organisations from a variety of sectors, including finance, banking, insurance, health care, and education, set up booths decorated with flowers and small gifts to welcome over 700 students and graduates. In addition to women seeking full-time jobs, many current students were interested in sponsorships, summer jobs, or part-time work. Over 250 opportunities were available to visiting students and graduates.
The Career Fair is one of the many activities being organised that supports the ‘Absher’ initiative phase aimed at college students and graduates. The ‘Absher’ initiative is a multi-pronged federal programme to boost the number of Emiratis participating in the labour market, and in particular the number of nationals working in the private sector.
Dr Tayeb Kamali, Vice Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, said the Career Fair was an important aspect of HCT graduates’ development and growth. “We are committed to helping students and graduates at every stage of their educational journey and on their career path,” Dr Kamali said.
“Supporting our students to develop and advance their careers is a key focus for the Higher Colleges of Technology. By hosting these vital Career Fairs the Higher Colleges are showcasing the numerous and exciting career opportunities for UAE nationals to pursue, thus ensuring effective contribution in all sectors of business, industry and community, whilst also contributing to the growth of the United Arab Emirates,” he added.
Dr Kamali added that the success of the career fairs was due to “HCT maintaining strong links with all sectors of UAE industry and commerce”. “Hence we are able to meet the employment needs of those sectors with highly qualified graduates, as well as offering meaningful employment to skilled Nationals who are keen to participate in nation-building initiatives,” he said.
Abu Dhabi Colleges Director Sultan Hussain Karmostaji stated, “The annual Career Fair is a wonderful opportunity to match local and global employers with our talented students and graduates, and for the students to network.” He added “The HCT develops its programmes with significant input from employers and we deliver them with a practical ‘Learning by Doing’ approach that engages students and gives them the skills to deal with on-the-job challenges. We are especially grateful to the employers who have supported our event today.”
Fatma, a second year Business Administration bachelor student, said of the event: “It gave me an excellent chance to see the variety of opportunities available to me in many sectors, speak to company representatives and find out which vacancies suited me.”
“I’ve made several personal connections that make me very confident in my prospects on graduation,” she added.