Al Tayer Reviews strategy of Knowledge & Human Development Authority in providing and qualifying manpower

The meeting reviewed the general strategy through which Knowledge & Human Development Authority is seeking to provide the required manpower, and upgrade the quality of all graduates of educational institutions.

This stems from the intention to meet the requirements of economic & social requirements of Dubai, and contribute to the transition to the knowledge economy.

Dr. Wafi Dawood, Head of Corporate Excellence, made a presentation covering several projects of the RTA focusing on preparing strategies and general policies of education.

This ranges from the early educational stages up to university level, including vocational education, promotion of skills and qualification of manpower.

Kalthoom Al Baluchi reviewed the comprehensive strategy of knowledge and human development and related aspects such as supervision and upgrading the quality of educational outputs in a way compatible with the requirements of the labour market.

She narrated how these elements contribute to providing training regimes for the participating educational & administrative cadres.

This is bound to promote education and encourage educational institutions at the private-sector to provide excellent educational & training services, and participate in developing and implementing strategies of attracting competent, qualified and experienced human resources.

The Authority will upgrade human resources and boost the participation of UAE nationals in the private sector strategic sectors, orient educational outputs to suit the requirements of the labour market, provide training services & vocational guidance, and upgrade the skills of Emaratis to overcome the obstacles of their active involvement in the labour market.

H.E. Mattar Al Tayer provided a general outline about the RTA and projects underway; which require the provision of qualified human resources.

"RTA has recently signed an agreement with the British Serco Co. to operate and maintain Dubai Metro for ten 10 years.

Among the key clauses of the Agreement is that the Co. is committed to provide job opportunities for Emaratis and train them so as to meet Emaratization ratio of 30-50% during the first five years of metro operation. Operation and maintenance of Dubai Metro (Red & Green Lines) require at least 3200 jobs" he noted.

Al Tayer highlighted the need of the RTA for programs oriented towards continued learning so as to keep open channels with UAE nationals and communicate to them the latest development in their specialty fields. This is particularly important as science is moving on the fast track.

"We need not be satisfied with the outcome of educational institutions, but rather keep abreast of the latest development worldwide" he added.

Al Tayer called for promoting the traffic culture among students through a syllabus focusing on driving and traffic rules.

He stated that the RTA will be ready to provide all sorts of technical support to this program.

He further called for enhancing the culture of loyalty and national belonging among students in these early educational stages.

"RTA will also be ready to provide suitable jobs for special need persons after being exposed to training programs. RTA has huge projects in various transport sectors, including roads, metro and tram projects as well as marine transport modes. These projects also include public buses, which are steadily increasing in numbers and they are expected to touch 3000 buses by the end of 2009; a matter which requires competent human resources capable of operating this network" he said.

Dr. Abdullah Al Karam, Chairman of the Board and Director General of Knowledge & Human Development Authority in Dubai said that the Authority is initially focusing on providing patronage & educational services (Early Learning) as it is considered one of the key elements that shape the personality of the individual.

"Studies revealed that the child, who learns an extra language beside the mother tongue before six years of age, will be in a better position to learn more languages after age six.

The meeting was attended from the RTA by Abdul Mohsin Ibrahim - CEO of RTA Strategy & Corporate Governance Sector, Yousuf Jawad - Acting CEO of Corporate Support Services, Kawther Kazim - Director of Human Resources & Development Dep't, and Abdul Rida Abul Hassan - Director of Rail Operation Dep't. From Knowledge & Human Development attended Jameelah Al Mehairi - Head of Scholastic Control Administration in Dubai, Dr. Warren Fox - Executive Director of Higher Education, and Iad Al Musa - Manager of Fixed Assets Section.