Sheikha Bodour wants to improve Emirati abilities and potential at American University of Sharjah

In a meeting with Eng. Omar Khalfan Huraimel Al Shamsi, Member of the Sharjah Executive Council and Chairman of the Directorate of Human Resources in the Emirate of Sharjah, discussed ways to strengthen the university's Emiratization strategy, and Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the American University of Sharjah (AUS), reaffirmed the university's dedication to fostering local talent.

The gathering is an example of how the UAE government is working to draw in top talent from across the world while also giving UAE citizens greater opportunities to contribute unique local insights and foster more inclusive growth for businesses and society as a whole. The American University of Sharjah is making progress towards its goal of developing new possibilities to support local talent by holding this focused and action-oriented gathering.

The expertise and professionalism of Emiratis who have received good education and training at local and international institutions would be very beneficial to the university and its students. Working for a top UAE business and one of our region's top colleges would boost the confidence and capabilities of the local workforce," said Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi.

To create a workforce that is gender diverse, more local women will be encouraged to join and advance to higher positions as part of AUS's Emiratization plan. I am confident that our strategic and future-focused Emiratisation policies will add value to the collective contribution of our existing workforce of educators and administrators who hail from several countries, adding that "diversity of ethnicities, experiences, and ideas ultimately contributes to building great organizations and successful nations."

The Chief of the Directorate of Human Resources in the Emirate of Sharjah, Eng. Omar Khalfan Huraimel Al Shamsi, furthered, "We are glad to cooperate with the American University of Sharjah to promote the role of UAE residents in developing a robust and fast-growing economy. His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, member of the UAE Supreme Council and ruler of Sharjah, has entrusted the Directorate with the important task of carrying out his instructions and aspirations.

The Directorate passionately believes in the abilities and talents of every Emirati, and this is accomplished through putting human resources policy into practice and making the most of our country's talent pool. The ambitious plan put out by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, which prioritizes developing local talent, is consistent with our goal of creating a robust and competent workforce for the Emiratis.

He continued by saying that the Directorate is dedicated to developing collaborative efforts with key partners across all sectors of the economy to realize the government's objectives and aspirations. He continued, "We look forward to working with AUS to put into practice successful Emiratisation techniques that will increase possibilities for local talent to grow and achieve. Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi said during the meeting that Emiratization at AUS is more than just a box to be checked. She also said that the university will fully support Emiratis who apply to work thereby creating and implementing training programs to keep the local workforce up to date with modern workplace requirements.

The university wants to promote a friendly social environment that strengthens local workers' feelings of pride in their country and sense of identity, especially among young Emiratis. The recent Global Day celebration at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) was a carnival of culture and colour. One of the university's most eagerly awaited events honouring the cultural history of the AUS community was launched by Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, president of AUS. The AUS is a close-knit community that values variety and offers its students a rich and nurturing environment to flourish as they develop into responsible, outward-looking adults prepared to engage the world.

According to the Times Higher Education (THE) Global University Rankings, this has allowed AUS to rank in the top five institutions with the greatest proportion of overseas students (2022). The AUS Main Plaza was transformed into a funfair during this year's festivities as attendees strolled among the colourful pavilions of more than 30 cultural and student-interest groups while taking in the rhythm of folkloric music and dance and admiring elaborate traditional clothing from around the world.