Al Wasl University and CERT Celebrate Graduation of the 14th Cohort of the Work Readiness Program

230 Emirati Women Embark on Careers in Future-Focused Specializations

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Under the patronage of His Excellency Juma Al Majid and in the presence of His Excellency Saeed bin Mohammed Al Raqbani, Special Advisor to His Highness the Ruler of Fujairah, Al Wasl University and the Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT) celebrated the graduation of the 14th cohort of the Work Readiness Program (WRP), one of the national initiatives aimed at equipping and empowering Emirati women with the skills required to successfully join the workforce.

The ceremony commenced with the UAE National Anthem, followed by a video presentation highlighting the success stories of several program graduates who successfully joined the workforce. The event also featured projects presented by the graduates that reflected the practical skills and expertise acquired by the students throughout the program.

H.E. Saeed bin Mohammed Al Raqbani congratulated the graduates, expressing his happiness on this occasion and affirming his pride in seeing a distinguished group of Emirati female graduates equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to compete confidently and excel in the workforce while contributing effectively to the nation’s development journey.

He also praised the efforts of H.E. Juma Al Majid, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Al Wasl University, and his continuous support for the WRP in partnership with CERT, reflecting His Excellency’s commitment to providing quality opportunities that contribute to enhancing the capabilities and competencies of Emirati women, empowering them to serve the community and support the country’s development journey.

Prof. Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Abdel Rahman, Chancellor of Al Wasl University, stated that the WRP reflects the university’s commitment to developing Emirati female talent through an integrated educational and training ecosystem that contributes to preparing a generation capable of keeping pace with future demands and actively participating in the nation’s development journey.

He added that the longstanding partnership with CERT since 2013 has resulted in the development of a distinguished program that has made a tangible contribution to supporting and preparing Emirati female talent while enhancing their opportunities for professional integration across various sectors, in alignment with the UAE’s vision of investing in people as the primary driver of development and progress.

Mr. Khalid AlHammadi, General Manager of CERT, stated that the strategic partnership with Al Wasl University represents a successful model of institutional collaboration in preparing qualified national talent equipped with the practical and applied skills necessary to excel in the workforce.

He added that CERT continues, through its specialized programs and initiatives, to support efforts aimed at developing national talent and enhancing professional readiness. He emphasized that the outcomes achieved by the WRP year after year reflect the success of the shared vision in empowering graduates and enhancing their opportunities for professional integration, supporting the UAE’s direction toward investing in human capital and building a competitive knowledge-based economy.

The graduates also delivered a speech expressing their pride and appreciation for reaching this important milestone in their educational and professional journey. They extended their sincere gratitude and appreciation to H.E. Juma Al Majid in recognition of his continuous support for the WRP and his unwavering belief in the capabilities of Emirati women, as well as his commitment to empowering them to achieve success and excellence.

In conjunction with the Year of the Family, the ceremony also honored the families of outstanding graduates in appreciation of their vital role in supporting and encouraging their daughters to continue excelling and achieving success.

Since its launch in 2013, the program has continued to make a tangible impact in qualifying and empowering Emirati female talent. The total number of graduates across the program’s Dubai and Fujairah branches has reached 2,060 graduates, with an employment rate exceeding 43% of the total number of graduates, while the program currently enrolls 155 students.

The ceremony concluded by honoring the graduates and awarding them their graduation certificates in a celebratory atmosphere that reflected years of dedication and ambition while reinforcing the vital role of the program in preparing a generation of Emirati female talent capable of leading the future and contributing to enhancing the UAE’s competitiveness and leadership.