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DIAC and DKV Launches Inaugural Industry and University Partnership Forum (I-UP) [PalFX (Palestine)](PalFX (Palestine) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) PalFx,Dubai, UAE: Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) and Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV), members of TECOM Investments' Education Cluster, are proud to announce the launch of the inaugural Industry and University Partnerships Forum (I-UP). The event that will take place on 10 th December in Dubai Knowledge Village, will bring together professionals from universities, industry, government departments, and education consultants to discuss potential collaborations, partnerships, research, and business development in an effort to further develop the regional education sector. The forum will feature a series of workshops that include representatives from academic institutions in Dubai as well as leaders from industry sectors, including: Hospitality & Tourism, Islamic Finance, Education, Transport & Logistics, ICT, Healthcare, Energy and Construction, and Real Estate. The high-profile speakers will include representatives from Atlantis Kerzner Group, IBM, Aramex, Dubai Healthcare City, The British University in Dubai, Middlesex University Dubai, Zayed University, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and many more. The Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) report by the World Economic Forum placed the UAE 6th in terms of 'Quality Higher Education and Training', ahead of traditional economic hubs such as UK, USA and Australia, clearly demonstrating how far the UAE has come in becoming a true hub for higher education. The report highlights how in today's increasingly global economy, nurturing a pool of well-educated workers able to perform complex tasks and adapt rapidly to their changing environment is vital for overall country-level competitiveness. In order to achieve the UAE Government's ambitions to further develop a knowledge based economy, Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) in partnership with Deloitte, launched a Workforce Planning Study to identify the skill shortage in the industries in the region and those that will require a large number of qualified workers to fulfill economic potential events such as Expo2020. The study was the first step in a sustained campaign pioneered by DIAC to bring industry, academia, and government together to build a workforce capable of supporting the large variety of booming sectors here in the UAE. The I-UP forum is the natural next step in connecting the relevant parties to ensure the future workforce demands of the region are met. The I-UP Forum is in line with TECOM Education Cluster's ambition to bridge the gap between academia and industry. By providing a platform for discussions that allow universities to interact with industry professionals, introduce new educational programmes that fill the skill gaps identified in a number of key industries. This will ensure the education sector is further advanced and therefore able to better cater to industry requirements that will sustain the wider region's economic growth. Commenting, Dr. Ayoub Kazim, Managing Director of TECOM Investments' Education Cluster, said, "We are delighted to have launched the very first I-UP forum. We hope that the forum will facilitate productive and detailed discussions between a wide range of stakeholders about how to support the growth of the economy through solid educations programmes and practices. We are dedicated to ensure that we play our part in developing the growth of the economy by helping to develop purpose-built educational products and programmes that will develop a skilled workforce capable of supporting the significant growth expected through events and ambitions such as EXPO 2020 and Dubai's ambitions to become the center of the Islamic economy." Prof Abdullah Alshamsi, Vice-Chancellor, The British University in Dubai said, "I am looking forward to being part of the panel for the Construction and Real Estate session at DIAC's and DKV's first of its kind forum. Construction and Real Estate play a vital role in UAE's economy, and BUiD has designed a range of programmes to meet the training needs of these rapidly-growing sectors. I believe this forum will provide an opportunity for the industry to increase their work with universities for better business growth opportunities, job creation and overall economic impact on the UAE Economy, which in turn will help UAE score higher on the innovation index of the next Global Competitiveness Report by World Economic Forum." Mukesh Vandasani, Vice President, Learning and Development, Atlantis Kerzner Group added, "The Industry & University Partnership Forum provides an excellent opportunity for educators and the industry to network and understand the needs of tomorrow's human capital, as well as build partnerships to ensure skills and knowledge being taught today match the expectations of tomorrow's employers. Kerzner International wholly supports and fosters the growth and development of international and local talent, where partnering with Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City bridges the gap between the students of now and colleagues of the future." (c) 2014 PalFX Information Services FZ LLZ Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info). |