Latest news with #AbdulrahmanAlAwar
Zawya
6 days ago
- Science
- Zawya
Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar praises UAE-based universities for climbing QS World University Rankings 2026
United Arab Emirates: His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, congratulated UAE-based higher education institutions (HEIs) on their progress in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2026. He commended their rising positions in the prestigious index as a testament to the success of the UAE's ongoing efforts to boost the global academic competitiveness of its higher education sector. His Excellency Dr. Al Awar said: 'This year's results clearly demonstrate the steady progress of UAE-based HEIs toward academic and research excellence and greater global presence.' He reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) to empowering HEIs by providing tools to evaluate performance and improve outcomes. He also highlighted the Ministry's strategic partnerships with QS and Times Higher Education, the top two global university rankings providers, aimed at strengthening the sector's overall competitiveness. He added: 'At MoHESR, we believe global competitiveness starts with a future-focused, adaptable educational environment that aligns university programmes with national priorities and equips graduates with the skills needed for excellence and innovation.' Seven UAE-based universities advanced in the QS World University Rankings 2026, which assessed over 8,000 HEIs worldwide, including 1,500 newcomers. Khalifa University rose by 25 places, leading among the UAE contenders, and ranked 177th globally, placing it among the world's top 200. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates University, which climbed 32 positions to rank 229th, and American University of Sharjah, which moved up 60 places to rank 272nd. The University of Sharjah advanced by 106 places to rank 328th, while Abu Dhabi University rose by 110 positions to reach 391st. Ajman University improved by 37 places to rank 440th, and Zayed University ranked 595th after previously being placed between 621st and 630th position. The rankings testify to the improvement of UAE-based HEIs across key higher education indicators, including international faculty ratio, international student diversity, employment outcomes, and faculty-student ratio. His Excellency Dr. Al Awar emphasised that the positive results reflect the alignment of academic outcomes with labour market needs. He also noted that these achievements mark another step toward building a competitive, sustainable higher education sector that supports the UAE's vision of a world-leading knowledge-based economy. For further information, please contact: Maher Al Bash Weber Shandwick E: MAlbash@ Sara Abuhassira Weber Shandwick E: SAbuhassira@ Shamma Al Sabt Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research E: Sara Farrah Weber Shandwick E: Sfarrah@
Gulf Today
03-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Minister applauds Emirati professionals working in private sector
Dr Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, reaffirmed the UAE's pride in its national workforce employed in the private sector, praising their meaningful contributions to the country's leadership and competitiveness. He highlighted that the private sector plays a vital role as a strategic partner to the government in nurturing Emirati talent and empowering them within the labour market. This came during his visit to GEMS Dubai American Academy, accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), where he met with more than 80 UAE citizens among over 790 employed across 44 establishments within GEMS Education Group. Dr Abdulrahman Al Awar with Emirati citizens during his visit to GEMS. WAM He was welcomed by top executives from the GEMS Education Group, namely, Dino Varkey, Group CEO; Jay Varkey, Deputy CEO; and Fatima Alshamsi, Head of Emiratisation. The visit was part of the Ministry's extensive and diversified programme to celebrate workers on International Workers' Day. Al Awar stressed the importance of continuous engagement with Emiratis working in the private sector to listen to their insights and experiences, understand their professional journeys, and address any challenges they may face, in an effort to support their job stability and career development. He also highlighted the Ministry's efforts to strengthen partnerships with companies that are committed to meeting Emiratisation targets; this includes organising site visits and highlighting the responsible role these establishments play in advancing government initiatives and supporting the UAE's ambitious vision and future plans. Moreover, Al Awar urged the Emirati employees he met to continue developing their skills and to approach their professional roles with a spirit of initiative and contribution. Following a briefing about the training and recruitment programmes that GEMS Education implements, He praised the institution for its efforts to provide a stable, supportive work environment, and its commitment to Emiratisation. "Private education is one of the priority sectors in the Emiratisation mandate,' Al Awar noted. "Efforts to drive Emiratisation in the private sector are steadily progressing towards achieving national targets, in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council.' He commended GEMS Education for its proactive role in achieving Emiratisation targets and its commitment to cultivating an attractive workplace that inspires creativity and excellence. During his meeting with officials at GEMS Dubai American Academy, Al Awar reaffirmed the key role that Emirati talents play, underlining their competitiveness in the education sector, the added value they bring by supporting innovation, and their ability to navigate contemporary academic requirements related to the economy of the future - all of which is made possible by the level of preparedness of Emirati professionals, the advanced qualifications of academic institutions and universities in the UAE, and the support provided by the Nafis programme. For his part, Sunny Varkey, Founder and Executive Chairman of GEMS Education Group, said, "At GEMS Education, we are committed to supporting the UAE's Emiratisation strategy. We are proud to welcome so many talented Emiratis to the GEMS family and deeply appreciate their positive contributions to our school communities and the nation's education sector as a whole. Today, we celebrate the success of our Emiratisation efforts and look forward to continuing this important work together with our MOHRE partners.' The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, continues to establish effective partnerships with private sector establishments, and particularly leading education and higher education institutions in the UAE, with the aim of developing advanced academic programmes that equip a new generation of Emirati talent with the skills needed to meet the evolving demands of the labour market and embrace emerging technologies in education. WAM
Zawya
02-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
UAE: MoHRE applauds Emirati professionals working in private sector
Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, reaffirmed the UAE's pride in its national workforce employed in the private sector, praising their meaningful contributions to the country's leadership and competitiveness. He highlighted that the private sector plays a vital role as a strategic partner to the government in nurturing Emirati talent and empowering them within the labour market. This came during his visit to GEMS Dubai American Academy, accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), where he met with more than 80 UAE citizens among over 790 employed across 44 establishments within GEMS Education Group. He was welcomed by top executives from the GEMS Education Group, namely, Dino Varkey, Group CEO; Jay Varkey, Deputy CEO; and Fatima Alshamsi, Head of Emiratisation. The visit was part of the Ministry's extensive and diversified programme to celebrate workers on International Workers' Day. Al Awar stressed the importance of continuous engagement with Emiratis working in the private sector to listen to their insights and experiences, understand their professional journeys, and address any challenges they may face, in an effort to support their job stability and career development. He also highlighted the Ministry's efforts to strengthen partnerships with companies that are committed to meeting Emiratisation targets; this includes organising site visits and highlighting the responsible role these establishments play in advancing government initiatives and supporting the UAE's ambitious vision and future plans. Moreover, Al Awar urged the Emirati employees he met to continue developing their skills and to approach their professional roles with a spirit of initiative and contribution. Following a briefing about the training and recruitment programmes that GEMS Education implements, He praised the institution for its efforts to provide a stable, supportive work environment, and its commitment to Emiratisation. 'Private education is one of the priority sectors in the Emiratisation mandate,' Al Awar noted. 'Efforts to drive Emiratisation in the private sector are steadily progressing towards achieving national targets, in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council.' He commended GEMS Education for its proactive role in achieving Emiratisation targets and its commitment to cultivating an attractive workplace that inspires creativity and excellence. During his meeting with officials at GEMS Dubai American Academy, Al Awar reaffirmed the key role that Emirati talents play, underlining their competitiveness in the education sector, the added value they bring by supporting innovation, and their ability to navigate contemporary academic requirements related to the economy of the future – all of which is made possible by the level of preparedness of Emirati professionals, the advanced qualifications of academic institutions and universities in the UAE, and the support provided by the Nafis programme. For his part, Sunny Varkey, Founder and Executive Chairman of GEMS Education Group, said, 'At GEMS Education, we are committed to supporting the UAE's Emiratisation strategy. We are proud to welcome so many talented Emiratis to the GEMS family and deeply appreciate their positive contributions to our school communities and the nation's education sector as a whole. Today, we celebrate the success of our Emiratisation efforts and look forward to continuing this important work together with our MOHRE partners.' The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, continues to establish effective partnerships with private sector establishments, and particularly leading education and higher education institutions in the UAE, with the aim of developing advanced academic programmes that equip a new generation of Emirati talent with the skills needed to meet the evolving demands of the labour market and embrace emerging technologies in education.
Al Etihad
02-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
MoHRE applauds Emirati professionals working in private sector
2 May 2025 18:42 DUBAI (ALETIHAD)Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, reaffirmed the UAE's pride in its national workforce employed in the private sector, praising their meaningful contributions to the country's leadership and highlighted that the private sector plays a vital role as a strategic partner to the government in nurturing Emirati talent and empowering them within the labour came during his visit to GEMS Dubai American Academy, accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), where he met with more than 80 UAE citizens among over 790 employed across 44 establishments within GEMS Education was welcomed by top executives from the GEMS Education Group, namely, Dino Varkey, Group CEO; Jay Varkey, Deputy CEO; and Fatima Alshamsi, Head of Emiratisation. The visit was part of the Ministry's extensive and diversified programme to celebrate workers on International Workers' Awar stressed the importance of continuous engagement with Emiratis working in the private sector to listen to their insights and experiences, understand their professional journeys, and address any challenges they may face, in an effort to support their job stability and career also highlighted the Ministry's efforts to strengthen partnerships with companies that are committed to meeting Emiratisation targets; this includes organising site visits and highlighting the responsible role these establishments play in advancing government initiatives and supporting the UAE's ambitious vision and future Al Awar urged the Emirati employees he met to continue developing their skills and to approach their professional roles with a spirit of initiative and contribution. Following a briefing about the training and recruitment programmes that GEMS Education implements, He praised the institution for its efforts to provide a stable, supportive work environment, and its commitment to Emiratisation.'Private education is one of the priority sectors in the Emiratisation mandate,' Al Awar noted. 'Efforts to drive Emiratisation in the private sector are steadily progressing towards achieving national targets, in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council.'He commended GEMS Education for its proactive role in achieving Emiratisation targets and its commitment to cultivating an attractive workplace that inspires creativity and his meeting with officials at GEMS Dubai American Academy, Al Awar reaffirmed the key role that Emirati talents play, underlining their competitiveness in the education sector, the added value they bring by supporting innovation, and their ability to navigate contemporary academic requirements related to the economy of the future – all of which is made possible by the level of preparedness of Emirati professionals, the advanced qualifications of educational institutions and universities in the UAE, and the support provided by the Nafis his part, Sunny Varkey, Founder and Executive Chairman of GEMS Education Group, said, 'At GEMS Education, we are committed to supporting the UAE's Emiratisation strategy. We are proud to welcome so many talented Emiratis to the GEMS family and deeply appreciate their positive contributions to our school communities and the nation's education sector as a whole. Today, we celebrate the success of our Emiratisation efforts and look forward to continuing this important work with our MOHRE partners.' The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, continues to establish effective partnerships with private sector establishments, particularly leading education and higher education institutions in the UAE, with the aim of developing advanced academic programmes that equip a new generation of Emirati talent with the skills needed to meet the evolving demands of the labour market and embrace emerging technologies in education.
Al Etihad
30-04-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Labour Day in the UAE: Spotlight on workers' welfare, contribution
1 May 2025 01:10 KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (ABU DHABI)Although May 1 is not a statutory public holiday in the UAE, 'Labour Day' has become a fixture in the national calendar, used to recognise the nine-million-strong workforce whose combined effort powers everything from Burj Khalifa's lifts to the desalination plants that keep the taps agencies, employers and civil-society groups mark the occasion with site visits, award ceremonies and social-media campaigns to remind the public that 'people are the engine of the economy', as the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) puts it.'Celebrating workers on their international day is an ongoing commitment that reflects the UAE Government's humanitarian values,' Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, said ahead of the day last year's commemorations carry a sharper policy edge than usual. MoHRE and partner ministries have framed 2025 as the year of 'sustainable labour practices', rolling out digital labour contracts that can be signed on a smartphone in under ten minutes, tightening rules on compulsory health insurance for blue-collar workers and expanding the National In-Country Value programme to create more private-sector roles for Emiratis. Major Labour Achievements With daytime temperatures already nudging 40°C, MoHRE has stipulated an annual Midday Break - now 21 years old - that usually runs from June 1 to September 15, banning outdoor labour between 12:30 pm and 3 pm. According to MoHRE, the programme has close to a 100% compliance rate, backed by more than 6,000 shaded rest stations for delivery riders and other outdoor staff. Companies caught breaking the rule face fines of up to Dh50,000. Thick Legal Safety Net Labour Day 2025 also finds the UAE with a near-universal unemployment-insurance system. Launched in January 2023, the Involuntary Loss of Employment (ILOE) scheme now covers more than seven million workers - citizens and expatriates alike - offering up to 60% of basic pay for three months after a job loss. Participation became compulsory in late 2024, and free-zone employees were folded in soon afterwards. Policymakers argue that the pool both protects families against sudden income loss and makes the Emirates more attractive to global has paired the scheme with stiffer penalties for wage theft and unlicensed recruitment. Under amendments that took effect in August 2024, repeat offenders risk fines of up to Dh1 million and temporary suspension of their commercial licences. Legal consultancies report a surge in demand for compliance audits as companies seek to avoid public naming and shaming, as well as financial loss. Rewarding Best Practice To reinforce positive examples, the ministry last month opened nominations for the third Emirates Labour Market Award. Winners - announced in December - share a Dh50 million prize pot and, more importantly, the sort of reputational lift that turns up in tender scores and talent pipelines. New judging criteria will look at how firms use artificial intelligence to predict workplace risks and how they are adapting to climate extremes, signalling that labour policy and environmental policy are converging. Looking Ahead The labour agenda for the next 12 months is already crowded. MoHRE will pilot a cloud-based Labour Market Simulation Model to test the economic impact of any new regulation before it is issued. Meanwhile, a new digital wallet, launched on April 28, will allow salary transfers and end-of-service benefits to be paid and tracked in real time.
