Sharjah’s Major Educational Event Plots Well-Rounded Developmental Path for UAE Nationals

ALHOSN University Discusses Modern Youths’ Learning Needs with Academic Elite at 3rd Universities Forum
UAE, February 24th, 2013 – ALHOSN University, a leading Abu Dhabi-based university dedicated to high-quality, value-based education, joined some of the UAE’s top educational institutions and experts in discussing important issues affecting the learning environment and abilities of youths – particularly UAE Nationals – during the 3rd Universities forum which ran from February 19 to 20, 2013 at the Waset Youth Center in Al Sweihat, Sharjah.
Organized by the Youth Centers Department of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, Sharjah, this year’s Forum enlightened student attendees on their career options and the right attitudes they need to bring into college and through employment.  Daily sessions were held from 8am to 1pm and 4pm to 10pm.
ALHOSN took this opportunity to inform participants of its holistic approach to personal and professional development under its philosophy of ‘global knowledge with local vision’ and shared its views on the growth of young Emiratis. The university encouraged students to consider unique programs for both genders and entertained inquiries from top students interested in the ALHOSN brand and mission.
“The UAE needs bright, young, driven leaders to sustain the success it has amassed over just four decades of existence. Sharjah’s Universities Forum has always been an important platform for ALHOSN University to determine how to best empower Emirati youths with the knowledge, skills and character they need to continue building this country’s future. As usual we were very pleased with the warm response from the participants and we hope to see many of these faces become part of our university’s family soon,” said Professor Abdul Rahim Sabouni, Vice Chancellor and CEO of ALHOSN University.
The annual Universities Forum in Sharjah was first held in 2011 to support the UAE’s Emiratization program and has since grown into one of Sharjah’s leading special events. The Forum has consistently drawn over 1,500 attendees every year since its inception.
Founded in 2005 by the Abu Dhabi Holding Company to provide high-quality, value-based education to students of all nationalities, ALHOSN University has been at the forefront of dialogue on meaningful and education-driven Emiratization. The university offers 12 officially certified undergraduate and 7 graduate programs under the Faculties of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Business, and Arts and Social Sciences.
About ALHOSN University:
ALHOSN University is a leading private university dedicated to high-quality, value-based education under the slogan “Global Knowledge with Local Vision.” The Abu Dhabi-based institution is owned and supported by the Abu Dhabi Holding Company and is fully accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
ALHOSN University manages accredited programs (12 undergraduate and 7 graduate) in three faculties, all of which were developed by top North American educational experts. Undergraduate academic degrees are offered as four-year programs and taught in English, except for the Arabic education component.
The University’s City Campus includes the Men’s Campus, the Women’s Campus, the Engineering Lab Building, the Library Building, and the Lectures Building, all located at the heart of Abu Dhabi. A main campus with world-class, state-of-the-art facilities will soon be constructed. ALHOSN is open to students from all nationalities.


Development of UAE and Arab Nationals is at the heart of the Bank’s strategy

Standard Chartered participates at the 15th National Career Exhibition
Dubai, UAE – February 18, 2013 – Standard Chartered announced today that it will be participating at the 15th Edition of the National Career Exhibition which is taking place at the Expo Centre in Sharjah from 20th to 22ndof February, 2013.  At the Exhibition, Standard Chartered will be identifying prospect UAE National talent who fit in the various departments across the Bank.

Standard Chartered is also an active supporter of ‘Masrafi’, the UAE government initiative which aims to boost emiratisation levels in the banking sector and is in cooperation with the National Human Resources and Development Authority, ‘Tanmia’ and the Emirates Institute of Banking and Financial Studies(EIBFS). In this context, Standard Chartered is continuously providing training and employment opportunities for UAE National talent. The bank is also an active participant in the banking career days and constantly doing career guidance visits to Colleges, Universities and Schools.
Jane Siney, Head of Human Resources, UAE and Middle East, Standard Chartered.
Commenting on the Bank’s participation at the Exhibition, Jane Siney, Head of Human Resources, UAE and Middle East, Standard Chartered said:
”Creating a talent pool of UAE and Arab Nationals capable of leading the Bank and the industry in the future is at the heart of Standard Chartered Bank’s strategy in the region.  This is reflected in our successful Emiratization strategy which focuses on attracting, training and retaining talented UAE Nationals. Today, 100% of the Bank’s 11 Branches are managed by UAE Nationals. Our participation at this exhibition comes in line with our aspiration to be the employer of choice around the world and in the UAE.”
As a part of its strategy, Standard Chartered has a number of strategic alliances with several UAE based organisations and provides a number of training programmes which make it one of the best employers for UAE Nationals in the country. Below is a list of the programmes that the Bank currently provides: 
The Al Tahadi Educational Support Programme: This programme provides UAE National students with financial support while they are completing their studies, and guarantees access to global opportunities at Standard Chartered. This programme ensures that an increased number of talented UAE Nationals join our Management Trainee Programme.
Management Trainee Programme: Scholars under the Al Tahadi Programme graduate and join the Bank. This programme was first launched in August 2007. This is a structured one year programme with rotations providing broad experience within the Bank, which allows graduates “hands on experience” of potential career paths.
The Consumer Banking Academy and the Al Massar Programme: These programmes aim to acquaint UAE Nationals with the financial services industry, including product knowledge and risks associated with Consumer and Wholesale Banking.
MBA Programme: This programme offers MBA graduates individually-tailored career paths, with significant exposure to senior management and a global MBA network.
International Graduate Programme: The programmes last up to 18 months and provide candidates with an International Induction Programme (IIP) and an academic programme, role rotations in different business or support functions, a regional Action Learning Programme where candidates will collaborate with other graduates to develop and implement projects. The programme also provides extensive formal and informal learning opportunities to accelerate the development of the future leaders of the bank. 
-Ends-
For further information please contact:
Ramy Lawand
Senior Regional Manager, Corporate Affairs
T: +971 4 508 2564
M: +971566759894
Notes to editors:
Standard Chartered – leading the way in Asia, Africa and the Middle East
Standard Chartered is a leading international banking group. It has operated for over 150 years in some of the world’s most dynamic markets and earns around 90 per cent of its income and profits in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. This geographic focus and commitment to developing deep relationships with clients and customers has driven the Bank’s growth in recent years. Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges as well as the Bombay and National Stock Exchanges in India.
With 1,700 offices in 70 markets, the Group offers exciting and challenging international career opportunities for 87,000 staff. It is committed to building a sustainable business over the long term and is trusted worldwide for upholding high standards of corporate governance, social responsibility, environmental protection and employee diversity. Standard Chartered’s heritage and values are expressed in its brand promise, ‘Here for good’.
For further information please visit www.standardchartered.ae. Follow Standard Chartered at www.facebook.com/standardchartereduae and on Twitter @StanChartMENAP.


English Premier League & British Council Support ‘Premier Skills’ Initiative to Use Football to Develop UAE Youth Skills

Over 1,100 coaches in 20 countries engaged in the Premier Skills programme targeting 500,000 young people
London, United Kingdom, Dubai, UAE, 14 February 2013 – The English Premier League, Bolton Wanderers FC and the British Council today unveiled their support the ‘Premier Skills Community Coaching Initiative’, an innovative programme that will use football as a tool to engage with and develop the skills of young people in the UAE.

The English Premier League’s Premier Skills Programme will be visiting Dubai from March 30 to April 4, 2013, to look at the scenario and challenges in the UAE in using football for education and social inclusion, as well as to explore the scope for a Premier Skills project between the UAE and the UK. 
Between 2010-2013, more than 1,100 coaches are being trained and by the summer of 2013 the target of the Premier Skills programme is to reach more than 500,000 young people through coaches in 20 countries, including the UAE.
In partnership with E-Sports the six-day, full-time Programme, to be held at GEMS World Academy, will offer students aged 16 and above a community coaching award endorsed by and branded under the English Premier League.
Ian Laithwaite – Head of Bolton Wanders Community Trust said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for young people in the UAE to gain an internationally recognised qualification and also enhance their personal profile with a worldwide football brand.”
Since the first pilot in 2007, Premier Skills has been delivered across 20 countries, including Botswana, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Korea, Sudan, Tunisia (including Libyan participants), Uganda and Vietnam.
James Tucker, Director of Education, Bolton Wanderers Football Club said: “This innovative programme we are unveiling today in the UAE uses the ‘football for good’ concept, leveraging the interest in the Premier League to address wider educational and social issues in local communities. This concept is being successfully delivered by Premier League clubs across the UK.”
“The programme is about learning from some of the innovative and successful work being delivered in the UK and applying some of the learning to the UAE,” added Tucker.
Tucker added: “UAE partners will play a crucial role in the Premier Skills programme. Premier Skills looks to work with existing partners, programmes or networks to build on the current work and look to share expertise and training in ‘football for good’. We are looking for UAE partners who have an interest in supporting the concept of Football for Good and community development. These partners will provide access to venues and equipment which can be used during the course. Other roles could be around putting forward participants to attend the course as well as access to networks of community coaches or sports clubs. The important aspect is that partners have the potential to apply and embed the learning from the course within their networks and in local communities.”
Premier Skills will use the global pulling power of football as a tool for the development of wider skills, community development and English Language learning.  It builds upon research that shows there is a high demand worldwide for community coaching and leadership development through sport.