DWC briefs the IBG on the new insurance program

More than 50 insurance companies' representatives from Dubai attended the meeting and were provided with all relevant information to encourage their participation and support to the program.

The meeting was opened by Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, the Honorary Chairman of the IBG, who emphasized the need to increase the number of Emiratis employed in the insurance industry. "This program provides a strong platform to help the insurance industry recruit more Emiratis and we hope the response from the community will help us expand this program to all other Emirates," said Dr. Sulaiman.

The new program was initiated based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Education to create a much needed program that supports the Emiratization approach of the government. "Emiratization has matured. It is no longer an expression, and no longer a dream. It's a reality," said Dr. Howard Reed, Senior Director of the HCT and Director of DWC. Dr. Reed quoted a press article that highlighted disappointing statistics of the numbers of Emirati employees in the Insurance industry.

"In 2006, there were zero Emiratis employed in the insurance sector in the UAE," he noted. "That is why we are here today. We are determined to help the insurance companies fix this problem," he added.

Graham Spriggs provided attendees with detailed information on the program and answered to concerns and questions regarding their companies' roles in providing support for students of the program. Registration for the program is currently open and the response from the target audience has been very positive.

Spriggs highlighted that students of the new program will be employed in the insurance industry while studying and they will spend three days at the College and the remainder of their week at their employers' companies. "It is significant for all applicants to be aware that signing up for the program requires a commitment to work in the insurance industry as soon as they are accepted into the program," Spriggs added.