Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Fresh from an intensive four-week dive into coding and artificial intelligence, more than 100 young talents in the UAE have been equipped with the skills needed to either delve deeper into advanced technologies or go straight into launching their own startups.
The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED), in collaboration with coding school 42 Abu Dhabi (42AD), hosted the first Piscine coding bootcamp at KFED's Al Ain Campus from July 14 to August 7.
The bootcamp attracted as many as 130 participants from diverse backgrounds and offered a unique, decentralised, peer-to-peer learning experience with a strong focus on coding and AI.
Through this initiative, KFED and 42AD aimed to build a seamless pathway from education to entrepreneurship.
Speaking to Aletihad, Mouza Obaid Al Nasri, CEO of Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, said: "After completing the Piscine bootcamp, participants can join 42 Abu Dhabi's accredited diploma in software development. For Emiratis aspiring to launch ventures, Khalifa Fund provides startup support to ensure graduates are not only technically equipped but also strategically positioned and enabled to turn their ideas into thriving startups."
By providing hands-on training that mirrors real-world tech environments, KFED addresses key market gaps in software development, AI literacy, and tech entrepreneurship - sectors that are essential in Abu Dhabi's digital transformation.
"Beyond technical skills, the programme integrated entrepreneurial mindset development through challenges that required collaboration and real-world problem-solving," Al Nasri said.
There were also pitching opportunities that introduced participants to the soft skills necessary in running a business.
"Graduates benefit from joint mentorship programmes, exposure to venture creation pathways and opportunities to pitch ideas during community events. These elements cultivate essential business acumen, from ideation and validation to scaling and sustainability," the KFED CEO added.
Dr. Ahmed Al Shoaibi, Acting CEO of 42 Abu Dhabi, highlighted the progressive structure of the tech education the school offers.
AI is central to advanced stages, with students moving from C and C++ to AI basics, then specialising in fields like web and mobile; game and graphics; system and kernel; and security and network, he told Aletihad.
"This progressive structure ensures a deep, hands-on understanding of AI as students advance. Through 42 Abu Dhabi's diverse programmes, we provide advanced technical training aligned with global technology trends - nurturing talent that meets evolving industry demands and supports the UAE's broader innovation agenda," Dr. Al Shoaibi said.
With Al Ain Piscine - the school's collaboration with KFED - the tech training was complemented with "a series of workshops and specialised courses that helped translate technical expertise into scalable entrepreneurial ventures", he added.
"Since the launch of Al Ain Piscine we have seen an extensive demand with over 130 participants with almost equal female to male ratio, across 13 nationalities, and various backgrounds ranging from tech specialists, gamers, job-seekers and career shifters. These statistics reinforce 42 Abu Dhabi's position as a leading coding institute within the Emirate, equipping students to meet the evolving demands of the tech and business industry," Dr. Al Shoaibi said.
Supporting the National Agenda
KFED's talent-to-startup pipeline has been built on national priorities, Al Nasri said.
"Khalifa Fund is prioritising sectors such as fintech, healthtech, and green tech, which are central to Abu Dhabi and its transition towards a smart, diversified, and sustainable economy. These industries have high growth potential and align with national goals for economic diversification, sustainability, and digital innovation," she said.
The fund is ensuring that its startup pipeline continues to be high-impact and relevant by tracking outcomes like the number of participants trained, ventures created, and the shift from education to entrepreneurship.
It is also tracking funding, the number of startups that are surviving, the impact of GDP and how much are being involved with mentorship programmes as a true indication of its impact to the UAE's SME and innovation landscape.
Expanding Piscine
Following the success of Al Ain Piscine, Khalifa Fund plans to replicate the model and expand the initiative to Abu Dhabi, Al Dhafra Region, and across sectors.
"The fund's evolving strategy includes AI-powered platforms, venture studios, and light manufacturing accelerators, which ensure that its educational and entrepreneurial frameworks remain responsive to emerging trends and technologies," Al Nasri said.
