Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
During the UAE Government’s Annual Meetings 2024, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, highlighted the Ministry’s achievements over the past three years, which have increased the industrial sector’s contribution to GDP, promoted business sustainability, and improved self-sufficiency through programmes such as the National In-Country Value Programme and “Make it in the Emirates”.
In an interview with Aletihad, Bassam Murra, Executive Director of Marketing, Enrolment and Registration at Abu Dhabi University (ADU), discussed the university’s efforts to engage students and alumni with the “Make it in the Emirates” campaign.
He said ADU encouraged students to offer their talent to the national movement, notably through events like the recently concluded Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC), with the goal of encouraging young people to support and grow the initiative.
Murra also stated that the university intends to introduce further initiatives, such as school outreach programmes and campus activations, to inspire the next generation.
ADU’s goal is to help students identify the opportunities that exist in the UAE, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and finance, and to encourage innovation and production.
“We believe that youth, equipped with cutting-edge skills in AI and innovation, are not only capable of building on the nation’s achievements, but of creating a future beyond imagination,” said Murra. He also pointed out that the UAE government and entities like Hub71 provide support for the youth and graduates interested in investing and creating in the country.
ADU has built an innovation centre and incubator that provide administrative assistance, mentorship and resources to help students convert their ideas into concrete projects.
Murra added that ADU’s initiative intends to encourage both Emirati and non-Emirati students to build production facilities in the UAE, specifically in Abu Dhabi, which has key infrastructure such as the Khalifa Industrial Zone (KIZAD).
“We want to see more graduates choose Abu Dhabi and the UAE to start their businesses and manufacturing operations. We believe we have every reason to succeed,” he added.
Measuring the success of the initiative, he highlighted that ADU tracks how many graduates they support in establishing production ventures.
“As of today, we have already helped three graduates, one of whom has even launched a coffee factory,” he noted.
Murra outlined ADU’s plans to sustain the “Make it in the Emirates” initiative, focusing on school visits, workshops and social media outreach.
The university also aims to support at least 10 alumni projects through its innovation centre and incubator.
“Everything starts with a seed,” Murra concluded, adding that even modest businesses such as a coffee factory can lead to bigger innovations, even the production of electric vehicles.
