UAE high school and universities need more commitment to career management services

Hamza Zaouali, Managing Director of IRIS Executives, the UAE head hunting firm specialising in recruiting Emiratis, said "Fresh UAE national graduates are lacking in CV writing and presentation skills, both of which are not a high priority in UAE high schools or universities."

"Young Emirati job seekers need to be committed to being trained and educated seriously on career management before they actually start their careers," added Zaouali.

"The major issue is that schools don't always teach this. Although schools in the UAE do a fantastic job delivering knowledge in many fields, career management is an area where most under deliver," he concluded.

Taking matters into his own hands, Zaouali's IRIS Executives, which he co-founded in 2011, will announce the launch of its free career guidance seminars at NAJAH Education, Training and Careers Fair, taking place from 16-18 October at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Zaouali will be looking to partner with UAE government universities to deliver up to 10 free seminars annually for final year students, outlining in detail the areas crucial to career development, including CV writing skills, job search skills, interview skills, and general preparation for the professional world.

Added Zaouali, "More often than not, career management seminars are a secondary priority in school curriculums, and in fact, usually not compulsory at all."

"Until schools adapt to an increasingly competitive Emiratisation market, and make space for career management classes, we will not see major improvements in the fresh graduates' attitudes towards to the job market," concluded Zaouali.

"The career seminars that we are launching at NAJAH are part of our Corporate Social Responsibility initiative and are free of charge for universities and students, so they will not cause an increase on tuition fees or add anything to schools' budgets," added Zaouali.

The good news for Zaouali is that he will have the opportunity to meet a record number of universities and training institutes at NAJAH, which is now widely recognised as the UAE's leading education showpiece for thousands of young Emiratis as they look to move up and onwards to a fulfilling professional future.

Now in its sixth edition, NAJAH attracts more than 18,000 visitors every year, and this year will host more than 70 local and international universities looking to recruit school-leavers for the beginning of the next academic year in 2013.

Among the leading local universities taking part in 2012 include show sponsors Al Hosn University and Ajman University of Science and Technology, along with the Higher Colleges of Technology 'HCT', Al Ain University, American University in the Emirates, Khalifa University, United Arab Emirates University, and Zayed University.

Meanwhile, a large contingent of international universities and education institutes from all corners of the globe will descend upon the ADNEC halls next month, including Education Malaysia, Henley Business School from UK, Education USA, the Sendagaya Japanese Institute, the Macquarie University from Australia, and the University of Alberta from Canada.

NAJAH is also sponsored by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company 'SEHA', and Berkley Middle East and is supported by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research, Abu Dhabi Education Council, and Emirates Nationals Development Programme 'ENDP'.

The three-day event returns with the popular psychometric assessment centre, along with the advice clinic where visitors will receive one-on-one counselling on education and careers options by qualified Emirati career counsellors.