Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Ru’ya, Careers UAE, returned for its 24th edition on Tuesday, offering Emirati nationals thousands of opportunities — from employment and networking to mentorship and skills development.
Dubbed a premier careers and empowerment fair for UAE nationals, this year’s Ru’ya runs until September 25 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
Ru’ya is more than a job fair but a “platform for Emirati talent to discover opportunities, develop skills, and connect with employers shaping the future economy”, Asma Al Sharif, Assistant Vice President for Sustainability and Exhibitions Management at DWTC, told Aletihad in an interview.
This edition of the event connects Emiratis to as many as 180 employers across the public and private sectors. Jobseekers also have the opportunity to attend workshops and gain mentorship from industry experts.
Ru’ya’s mission is directly aligned with national policy targets, particularly the 8% Emiratisation goal in the private sector by 2025, Al Sharif said.
“By hosting top employers from industries such as aviation, logistics, healthcare, finance, digital services, AI, and retail, the event ensures Emiratis are connected to meaningful roles that strengthen the UAE’s workforce and economic diversification agenda. It also highlights employers’ commitment to Emiratisation, providing visibility for structured graduate programmes and career development pathways,” Al Sharif said.
Ru’ya is a fair that caters to Emirati talent across all career stages, she added.
“Students and graduates will have access to on-the-spot interviews, graduate programmes, and recruitment drives, while experienced professionals can explore upskilling and leadership opportunities,” she said.
New Hubs, Immersive Spaces
One of the new features at Ru’ya this year is the Academic Hub, designed to connect students with universities, courses, and scholarships aligned with current market needs.
“[This hub] reflects the belief that successful careers begin with the right education,” Al Sharif said.
She also pointed to the House of Possibilities, an immersive space designed to inspire creativity, adaptability, and leadership among Emirati youth.
Ru’ya 2025 equips the youth with future-ready skills through competitions such as Future Fit and the Hackathon. It also supports professionals and entrepreneurs through upskilling opportunities, the Next Founder competition, and a Concept Store showcasing Emirati brands.
With its new features and expanded coverage, this year’s fair is expected to surpass the impact of previous editions.
“In 2024, Ru’ya brought together 150 exhibitors, facilitated 7,000 on-the-spot interviews, and generated thousands of jobs offers. These achievements underline its tangible contribution to Emirati employment, and with 180 exhibitors and broader sector coverage in 2025, we are confident Ru’ya will deliver even greater impact,” Al Sharif said.
One of the exhibitors, Hamad Al Saleh from the Dubai Healthcare City Authority, sees Ru’ya as a platform that “accelerates the Emirati youth’s integration into the workforce”.
“Our participation reflects our commitment to supporting national talent and aligns with the UAE’s strategic objectives. The ongoing development of Dubai Healthcare City, particularly in Phase 2, presents many promising opportunities for aspiring talent,” said Al Saleh, Head of Human Resources at Dubai Healthcare City Authority.
The authority supports Emiratis pursuing careers in healthcare by providing training programmes to strengthen their capabilities and foster continuous learning, he said.
“We also launched the Masari Training Programme, a tailored employment initiative that has already enabled 28 Emiratis to secure full-time roles,” Al Saleh added.
These efforts, he said, “support the UAE’s healthcare vision of building a world-class system focused on talent, innovation, and sustainability”.
