MUDHI ALOBTHANI (ABU DHABI)
As the UAE advances its vision for a diversified, knowledge-based economy, Zayed University is strengthening efforts to prepare students and graduates for a rapidly changing labour market shaped by artificial intelligence, digital transformation, innovation and emerging industries.
Rashed Al Shamsi, Manager of Alumni and Student Careers at Zayed University’s Student Affairs Deanship, said the UAE is actively shaping the future of work through national strategies, economic diversification and investment in innovation.
“The UAE is not simply responding to the future of work, it is actively shaping it,” Al Shamsi said.
He said employers are increasingly looking beyond academic qualifications, with graduates expected to demonstrate digital literacy, AI awareness, analytical thinking, communication, collaboration, problem-solving and adaptability.
“The future belongs to graduates who can combine technical expertise with human skills while remaining agile enough to embrace continuous change and lifelong learning,” he said.
Al Shamsi identified artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital transformation, financial services and fintech, healthcare, renewable energy, logistics, aviation, tourism and the creative economy among the sectors expected to offer continued opportunities for Emirati graduates.
He also highlighted the growing role of the private sector in providing career pathways for Emirati talent, supported by initiatives such as Nafis and Emiratisation policies.
Bridging Skills Gaps
Al Shamsi said universities have an important role in bridging the gap between academic education and workplace expectations, with employability preparation beginning early in a student’s university journey.
“The biggest gap is often practical workplace readiness rather than technical knowledge,” he said.
At Zayed University, he highlighted internships, career fairs, employer engagement, mentoring and industry-led projects, alongside Uniquely ZU, the university’s employability framework.
The framework integrates leadership, digital competencies, innovation, communication, career development and experiential learning throughout the student journey.
According to Al Shamsi, approximately 45% of Zayed University’s employed graduates over the past seven years have launched their careers in the private sector.
He said collaboration between universities, government and employers is helping create stronger pathways for Emirati talent across different sectors of the economy.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Zayed University alumna Fatima Mohamed Ali, a Ruwad Program Trainee at Emirates NBD, said some of her most valuable university experiences took place outside the classroom.
“Some of my most valuable learning happened outside the classroom,” she said, highlighting student clubs, activities and professional opportunities. Ali recalled interviewing Sultan Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, through Youth Spotlight as an experience that strengthened her confidence and communication skills.
“It showed me that university is not only about earning a degree; it’s also about the people you meet, the opportunities you say yes to and the confidence you build along the way,” she said.
She identified adaptability as one of the most important qualities for graduates entering an evolving labour market. “I believe one of the most important skills today is the ability to learn, unlearn and adapt,” she said.
Another Zayed University alumna, Fatma Ibrahim, who graduated in 2025 and currently works in IT business intelligence at HSBC Bank, said university taught her how to solve problems independently.
“The biggest thing wasn’t a specific class, it was learning how to figure things out on my own,” Ibrahim said, pointing to group projects, deadlines and working with different people as valuable preparation for the workplace.
She said graduates need to combine technical knowledge with adaptability and communication. “Technical skills get you in the door, but adaptability keeps you relevant,” she said.