DED signs MoU with DWC to encourage students to become entrepreneurs

The MoU was signed by Dr. Howard Reed, Director of Dubai Women's College, and Mr. Khalid Al Kassim, Deputy Director General for Planning and Development at DED, at the DED's premises in the presence of senior officials from both organisations.

"The Department of Economic Development has prepared a study on the 'Knowledge Industries Incubator Network,' which aims at encouraging academic institutions and universities to establish incubators for students who aspire to be entrepreneurs in different specialities. We are pleased to sign the MoU with DWC, which plays a proactive role in assisting the students to develop their own businesses through the "DWC Entrepreneurship Centre", said Khalid Al Kassim.

"The MoU supports nationals and contributes to developing their capabilities by giving them the opportunity to interact with established entrepreneurs and investors in the public and private sectors in Dubai. With the initiative, the DED reiterates its commitment to develop and stimulate the activities of SMEs, which play a vital role in the economic development of the emirate," added Al Kassim.

"We are pleased to co-operate with the DED to present UAE nationals with the necessary training and guidance. DWC will set up a specialised "DWC Entrepreneurship Centre" through which we will provide our students with extensive training to start their own businesses, conduct feasability studies and prepare researches and statistics related to the products and services they will offer. The centre will also assist aspirants to contact successful entrepreneurs for guidance and advice," said Dr. Reed.

Under the terms of the MoU, the DED and DWC will co-operate in providing training programmes, workshops and specilised seminars for students, which will enable them to start and manage their own businesses and help them acknowledge the needs to start new ventures.

"The objectives of the Knowledge Industries Incubator Network project prepared by the DED are in line with the objectives of the Dubai Strategic Plan, which focuses on human resources development, improving the effeciency of nationals and transforming Dubai into a scientific and technical hub. We hope this will serve as a model for other academic institutions to co-operate with this noble initiative," added Al Kassim.

A joint committee will be formed to prepare a comprehensive plan that supports and encourages national entrepreneurs. The DED will share its experience in training national SMEs to complement DWC in preparing the UAE nationals.

"The DED is committed to implement the policies of Dubai Government and will continue its support for nationals. The department seeks to enhance its co-operation with the private and academic sectors which play a vital role in the economic drive of the emirate," added Al Kassim.

Dubai Women's College has started implementing projects for entrepreneurs since 2005, when it launched a joint project with "Damas" to help entrepreneurs set up their own jewlery businesses. More than 55 nationals have benefited from the project.