Special Features
Emiratisation Gets a Boost at UD’s First Career Fair
Hundreds of Emirati and non-Emirati students tried their luck at the University of Dubai’s (UD) first Career Fair, which concluded on Wednesday, setting the ball rolling for fresh recruitment as Dubai recovers from economic crisis. The two-day event saw 18 prominent companies, including Barclays, Emirates Airlines, Eitihad Airways, and Dewa, opening their shops for jobs as graduates and students from various faculties thronged the UD campus on Maktoum road looking for full time and part time jobs.Though Emiratis enjoyed greater preference due to the event’s focus on emiatisation, students of other nationalities also had their fair chances.
“We have a 1500-strong students’ community from 41 nationalities including Emiratis, many of whom are already working as part-timers, and we intend to give everybody a fair chance. Our purpose of organising this event is to give our students the right exposure and a chance to explore various career avenues,” said Amina Elmarzak, Internship and Career Development manager at UD.
Abdul Rahim bin Farouk, HR Coordinator at Emirates Airlines – one of the main companies participating in the fair – said his company is looking particularly for Emirati students.
“We are entertaining everyone who is coming, but our focus is on emiratisation. So far we have had 16 CVs in two days, and we have done the preliminary interviews. We will shortlist candidates in the coming weeks, depending on our requirement and the skill-sets the candidates possess,” said Bin Farouk.
“We also have to consider our budget for the next financial year, which will give us clear picture as to how many we can hire. We are more cautious on recruitment especially after the credit crunch,” added Bin Farouk.
However students, who thronged the fair in great numbers, seemed excited about the prospects of at least meeting the representatives of big companies and exploring opportunities of working with them, if not getting the job per se.
“I have applied with a number of companies and I am quite confident of at least getting a few calls for the next round. If not a job, getting a chance to interact with the big business people is an experience in itself,” said 18-year-old Ahmed, who is looking for a part-time job.
“Under the current economic cloud it is a commendable effort on UD’s part to organise such a fair, and the participation of so many companies is a very positive sign. I am confident of landing a job,” said fresh Emirati graduate Mazna, who is willing to take up any job given the economic climate.
The companies that participated in the Career Fair include: Barclays Bank, Emirated NBD, Dubai Islamic Bank, Dubai Bank, Etihad Airways, Emirates Airlines, Dewa, Axiom Telecoms, Dulsco, Shangri-la, Oman Insurance Company, Citibank, DTCM etc.
