"Industry" launches the second edition of the National Program for Young Professionals in Quality Infrastructure

The Youth Council of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology in Dubai, in cooperation with the Federal Youth Authority, organized the Ramadan Gathering Initiative for Youth Councils, entitled "Youth Vision for an Innovative Industrial Future", including a discussion panel for graduates of the Young Professionals Program, which addressed the empowerment of Emirati youth in the field of quality infrastructure in the presence of His Excellency Khalid Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Federal Youth Authority, and Her Excellency Dr. Farah Al Zarouni, Assistant Undersecretary for the Standardization Affairs Sector at the Ministry, and Her Excellency Salama Al Awadhi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Industrial Development Sector at the Ministry.

The spotlight was placed on the contributions of youth to "Make in the Emirates" during previous editions, their role in the new, larger and more comprehensive edition scheduled to be held from May 19-22 at the ADNEC Abu Dhabi Center, and their vital contributions to supporting the quality infrastructure system in the country, which enhances the capabilities of the industrial and technological sector, and supports the competitiveness of Emirati products in regional and international markets.

In this context, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology launched the second edition of the National Program for Young Professionals, which aims to build the capacities of young national competencies in the fields of standardization and conformity assessment.

Al Nuaimi stressed the UAE's commitment to providing all the necessary tools to give young people the opportunity to enhance their skills and capabilities, in line with the directives of the National Youth Agenda 2031, which aims to be the most prominent global model in various fields of national priorities, pointing out the institution's firm belief that young people are the focus of development and the foundation of innovation, and that building qualified national cadres is an essential part of the strategy to drive the wheel of growth and establish the foundations for a prosperous and sustainable society.

He stressed the endeavor, within the framework of joint efforts with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology through the National Program for Young Professionals, to provide young people with knowledge and expertise that enhance the quality infrastructure with the aim of improving performance, with a focus on enhancing environments that stimulate creativity, through cooperation with all local and international entities, to ensure that young people obtain all the resources that support their professional and cognitive growth.

Dr. Farah Al Zarouni said that the UAE places youth at the heart of the national development strategy, and in line with the directives of the Ministry’s senior leadership, empowering youth in the field of quality infrastructure is a fundamental pillar for enhancing national capabilities in the field of standardization and competitiveness and supporting readiness for the future, especially the quality infrastructure sector, which includes the fields of specifications, conformity, accreditation, standards, and market control.

She explained that all government teams are working to provide youth with the knowledge and tools necessary to develop their skills in various sectors, especially in light of the UAE’s advancement of six places to fifth place globally in the Quality Infrastructure Index for Sustainable Development for 2024, issued by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), which requires continuing to build on this national achievement in cooperation with all strategic partners.

Aisha Saqr Al Suwaidi, Head of the Youth Council at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, stressed the Council’s commitment, in cooperation with the Federal Youth Authority and other youth councils across the country, to support and empower young Emirati talents and enhance their contribution to the industrial growth process, noting that these efforts are a translation of the directives of the Ministry’s senior leadership, which prioritizes and supports youth and believes in their pivotal role in enhancing the competitiveness of the industry and advanced technology sector at the local and international levels.

She said: During the event, we focused on urging young people to participate in designing the largest and most comprehensive version of the “Make in the Emirates” Forum, while highlighting the opportunities available to them in the industrial sector, and introducing them to the mechanisms for contributing to the growth of national industries and enhancing their competitiveness. It also witnessed the launch of the second version of the National Program for Young Professionals, which aims to qualify young national talents and arm them with knowledge and practical experience in technical and industrial fields, and enhance their role in building a sustainable future for industry in the country.

The National Program for Young Professionals is implemented in the country under the umbrella of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, in cooperation with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). During the past year, 11 young Emirati professionals graduated, contributing to strengthening the quality infrastructure system to support the growth and competitiveness of national industries and services.