New Energy Pioneers Program Continues to attract UAE Nationals
22.11.12
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) is continuing to drive its efforts in developing Emiratis to manage and operate the United Arab Emirate’s peaceful, civilian nuclear energy program that will meet the highest levels of safety and security.
ENEC has entered into several strategic partnerships with a number of local and international education and training institutions to develop its scholarships program and offer a range of degrees including Bachelors, Masters and Diplomas, which aim to attract and train the most talented science students and experienced professionals, providing them with an opportunity to become pioneers of the nuclear energy sector that is expected to deliver up to a quarter of the nation’s electricity needs by 2020.
They are part of ENEC’s ‘Energy Pioneers’ program, which aims to attract and train the most talented science students and experienced professionals, providing them with an opportunity to become pioneers of the nuclear energy sector.
ENEC expects to employ more than 2,000 employees by 2020, with a target of 60 per cent Emiratization. At the end of their study, scholarship students can join the ENEC team working to meet the future growth of the UAE’s need for energy, which is increasing at an annual rate of 9 per cent – three times the global average.
His Excellency Mohammad Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Nuclear Energy said: “ENEC continues to invest in the development of UAE national human resources to operate the UAE nuclear program and power the future growth and prosperity of the United Arab Emirates, in accordance with the directives of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces to achieve the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030.”
He praised the partnership between ENEC and its educational and training partners in the development and training of young Emiratis that is in line with the highest standards of safety, security and the latest technologies that corresponds with the increasing demands for the development and future prospects of the UAE.
The scholarship program since its launch in 2009 has witnessed a large turnout from outstanding students who have exceeded expectations. This demonstrated the ambitions of young Emiratis to take significant roles in providing the necessary expertise to support the nation’s development and evolution. The total number of students in the programme has reached 230 across various academic institutions and fields.
Dr. Abdullatif Al Shamsi, the Institute of Applied Technology’s Managing Director, stressed the keenness of the Institute to provide advanced scientific and academic curriculums applied internationally, in order to develop young Emiratis and enable them to achieve their desires in participating in the development of the nation.
He expressed his appreciation of the role of ENEC in developing UAE nationals and providing them the opportunities to fill management and operational positions in the UAE nuclear program in line with the government’s aim of promoting the role of nationals in various institutions and in support of Abu Dhabi Vision 2030.
Dr. Arif Sultan Al-Hammadi, Executive Vice-President of Khalifa University of Science, added: “In the UAE we make sure we provide the highest levels of education and training to our students in order to enhance their expertise and ability to support the nation’s development. The launch of the UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy program was an ideal opportunity for us to introduce more scientific methods programs to our curriculum by entering into partnerships with a number of local and international academic institutions in the areas of research, education, and vocational training. All this is in order to support the development and operation of our peaceful nuclear program.”
Dr. Ahmed Al Awar, Associate Director and Chief Academic Officer of Abu Dhabi Polytechnic, said: “Polytechnic Abu Dhabi continues to receive numerous requests to join the Higher Diploma program in nuclear energy which was developed in collaboration with ENEC and KEPCO in order to develop the necessary UAE human capital to run the nuclear program. Therefore, we ask all Emirati students who wish to work in the field of nuclear energy and contribute to the development of the UAE’s nuclear program to submit their applications for admission to the program this year and achieve their dream of working in the nuclear sector.”
A research study conducted by TNS, on behalf of ENEC, highlighted the motivations of Emirati students when it comes to their field of study and choice of career, showing that students favor science in higher education as they believe it gives them better career prospects and the expertise to support the country’s growth.
The research polled 76 current and 151 potential students for ENEC’s scholarship program. The Emirati students interviewed for the study showed a combination of pragmatism and vision; 83 per cent of current students said they chose nuclear energy because they want to be part of the energy industry of the future. Eighty-seven per cent chose ENEC for its vision. The study also showed 87 per cent of students chose ENEC scholarships for the prospects of career growth, as a new industry offers better long-term prospects with opportunity for advancement.