Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
With the rapid, tech-driven transformation reshaping the world, skills development must keep pace to ensure that 50 years from now, there is a sufficiently skilled talent pool to drive progress. This is central to the Advanced Technology Research Council's (ATRC) mission to prepare the Emirati youth for the future.
The ATRC is among those participating in the 16th edition of the EmiratesSkills National Competition (ESNC), which runs until April 30 at ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi.
Held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, the ESNC is considered the UAE's largest national platform dedicated to technical and vocational skills.
Organised by the Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET), the competition showcases the best emerging Emirati talent across a wide range of disciplines.
On the sidelines of the event, the ATRC's Director of R&D Talent Enablement, Dr. Ing. Mae AlMansoori, highlighted how the council prepares and enables the UAE youth to excel in advanced technologies and shape their own future in these industries.
"Technology is forever evolving. While we focus on fields like AI, robotics, and engineering, it's equally important to equip the youth with an adaptive mindset - to be flexible and stay updated with changing trends," Dr. AlMansoori told Aletihad.
The organisation taps international experts to conduct applied research as it builds a robust talent pipeline that will meet the needs of emerging fields for the next 50 years, she said.
"Our long-term vision is aligned with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030. As we transform into a knowledge-based economy, the ATRC is playing a key role through subsidiaries like the Technology Innovation Institute, where we focus on 10 advanced technology areas, including AI, secure systems, quantum technologies, cryptography, and advanced materials," Dr. AlMansoori said.
In ATRC's mission to future-proof the youth and their skills, competitions such as EmiratesSkills play a crucial role, especially in inspiring young talents to pursue STEM, AlMansoori said.
"Competitions like EmiratesSkills give the youth some hands-on experience. They not only learn the theory but also apply it, compete, succeed, and inspire their peers to become leaders. This year's theme focuses on AI, playing a vital role in bridging education with industry and transforming students into inventors, not just learners," she said.
At their stand, ATRC is showcasing an early-engagement advanced technology initiative for elementary students; specialised support and scholarships for top young talents; as well as a drive to integrate these achievers into the R&D ecosystem.
"We also have the Future-Focused Career Pathways initiative to build awareness about emerging careers, and platforms like the UAE Research Map to bring together researchers and experts under one network, offering mentorship, funding, and collaboration opportunities," she added.
The UAE Research Map, she stressed, allows researchers to access mentorship, project funding, and collaborative opportunities.
Highlighting the unique environment at its subsidiary, the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), Dr. AlMansoori said: "We have over 1,300 researchers and engineers from more than 80 countries working on breakthrough technologies. Through our scholarships, students can pursue niche fields like photonics, high-power electromagnetics, advanced materials, and AI. We also offer mentorship, internships, and access to some of the most advanced research labs in the region."
At ATRC, skills development knows no age boundaries. Opportunities could be offered to children as young as seven up to adults who are already in advanced careers, Dr. AlMansoori said.
"We are a young entity - only five years old - but we are deeply committed to empowering youth in the advanced technology fields. We believe in the vision of a knowledge-based economy, and we are determined to be part of it, to create it, and to pioneer it through our youth. The power always lies in our youth, and many exciting initiatives will be launched soon," she said.
