Majid Al Futtaim Group scouts UAE National Student Gathering in Washington DC for talent

While the company is interested in accomplished graduates from all backgrounds, it is making a concerted effort to find and meet UAE nationals who are graduating from US universities as part of the company's wider Emiratization program. The program, which began in 1999 to proactively employ UAE citizens in the public and private sectors to reduce the Emirates dependence on foreign workers, has seen the employment of UAE nationals in the Group increase significantly since its inception. Over the next two years, Majid Al Futtaim Group plans to raise this figure by a further 25%.

Mohammed Malek, VP Group HR, Majid Al Futtaim Group, said:

, "This is the first time we've come to the UAE National Student Gathering and we are looking forward to meeting a good number of talented young Emiratis to occupy many of the vacancies created by the remarkable growth of our company in the Middle East region. For this reason, we will not just be accepting CVs but also selecting candidates and conducting preliminary interviews during the duration of the fair. We encourage UAE nationals to apply for these positions and meet our team to discuss job opportunities and find appropriate positions for them, based on their qualifications."

The Group has become a model for 'destination' development in the Arab world and its Emiratization program, overseen by the organisation's Emiratization Committee, leads, encourages and ensures that UAE nationals are given significant career opportunities in the Group. Its clearly defined plan puts emphasis on finding quality national talent, providing effective training programmes and a clear career development and progression plan.

Malek, a UAE national himself, says that a growing number of talented UAE nationals are now proving themselves in the private sector. "Previously, many UAE nationals would opt for jobs in either the government or banking sectors, but now, we are witnessing a high number of Emirati men and women choosing to enter the private sector," he adds.

"Our presence here in Washington reiterates our commitment to recruit the UAE's most talent graduates, where ever they may be, to our rapidly growing businesses, be it shopping malls, leisure, entertainment, fashion or retail," said Malek.

It is worth mentioning that Majid Al Futtaim Group is the Middle region's most prominent property and shopping malls developer. The Group opened its first shopping mall in 1995 and has since created businesses of international significance that have changed the face of shopping, entertainment and leisure in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The Group is widely known for its iconic and internationally recognized Mall of Emirates, the largest shopping resort outside North America. Mall of the Emirates is also home to Ski Dubai, the first indoor ski resort in the region. In addition, the Group owns and operates the City Centre brand that spreads across the UAE, Oman, Egypt, and Bahrain. Over the past decade the Group has taken his groundbreaking concepts into other major cities in the United Arab Emirates and throughout the Middle East and North Africa including; Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, and Lebanon.