Zayed University (ZU) and the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education (AGFE), have virtually signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support young Emiratis and Arab youth along their education and early employment journeys. The agreement was signed by Noura Bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, minister of culture and knowledge development, president of Zayed University, and Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, chairman of the Board of Trustees of AGFE, over video conference. The MoU builds on one of the many of objectives of the UAE government's strategy, which is aimed at creating effective partnerships between public and private institutions to implement the main goals pertaining to human welfare being the real wealth of society and uniting all efforts to achieve this goal. Through this collaboration, AGFE will offer the Al Ghurair Young Thinkers Program, a bilingual (English and Arabic) digital university and career readiness platform designed to support Emirati students with employment exposure and awareness, soft skills for success development, and advising services to support students in their education to employment transitions. The fully online program is free of charge, already has over 14,000 registered users, and will help students and graduates gain the skills that employers are looking for, as well as offer up to date, relevant information pertaining to university life and the job market. AGFE has an active research department as well, and both entities will explore potential research opportunities to support further advancement of knowledge in the UAE. "We are delighted to join forces with the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education, and form an extended bridge of cooperation, academic integration, and joint research work. We look forward to exchanging knowledge and training our students and graduates, as well as enabling the research agenda to develop further," said Al Kaabi. She also pointed out that the academic programs and extracurricular activities at Zayed University were integrated to enhance student skills to match the requirements and aspirations of our wise leadership to advance into a knowledge-based society. "This partnership translates our common vision towards achieving our goal for the development and empowerment of Emirati youth, and we are very happy to sign this MoU with Zayed University as we strongly believe that establishing partnerships and collaborations with public and private organizations is key to achieving sustainable impact and development for our society," said, Al Ghurair. The agreement translates into Zayed University's Student Careers & Alumni Department maintaining a commitment towards providing high quality and professional information, advice, guidance and career counselling to ZU's students and graduates. Rashed Al Shamsi, department acting director, stated, "We are aiming, regardless of the current circumstances to offer a wide range of services and programs to support ZU's students in making well-informed career decisions and supporting their journey as ZU Alumni. Thanks to AGFE, together we shall prepare qualified graduates in an innovative and supportive educational environment who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership skills." — SG
