Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
With wide participation, the 11th edition of the Education Interface and Middle East Youth Conference and Exhibition commenced in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Held under the patronage of Lt. General H.H. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, the event is held under the theme "Education and Society" and runs until April 18 at ADNEC Marina.
With the participation of 545 universities, academic institutions, and entities from the public and private sectors, the event aims at empowering Emirati youth and sheds light on future careers, linking them to educational trends and choices.
The two-day event is featuring pavilions from participating institutions showcasing educational, training, and skills development opportunities.
The exhibition also comprises panel discussions on the future of education, work trends, and the impact of emerging technologies and AI.
Speaking to Aletihad, Sultan Al Kaabi, Deputy Chairman of the Ministry of Interior Youth Council, said their participation in the 11th edition of Education Interface 2025 aligns with their mission to empower youth within the Ministry and support the UAE's broader vision.
"We held a comprehensive workshop focused on the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence in youth-related fields," he said.
Furthermore, the Interior Ministry introduced a six-month programme offering hands-on experience in areas like cybersecurity for top university graduates from the community, Al Kaabi noted.
"The Ministry of Interior Youth Council's section at the exhibition highlights inspiring success stories and key achievements. We are also conducting a satisfaction survey to help guide future youth-focused initiatives across all sectors in the UAE."
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) showcases its efforts to enhance the student journey: from admission and qualifications recognition to job market readiness, through smart, integrated digital services.
According to ministry officials who spoke to Aletihad, key highlights include the launch of an intelligent registration platform, the automatic recognition of academic qualifications, and services aligned with the UAE's Zero Government Bureaucracy programme.
MoHESR is also placing a strong emphasis on academic pathways and student-focused education services.
As for Zayed University, guiding students on selecting the right major and the importance of early registration is a key focus at the event.
"We guide students on available programmes, requirements, and post-registration steps," said Ali Al Mansoori, Admission and Registration Administrator, at Zayed University.
He noted high demand for accounting and tech-related courses, with over 10,000 applications for its two campuses in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Bakr Youssef Bakr from the Admissions Department at Abu Dhabi University, highlighted the university's growth and introduction of new programmes, including AI, Psychology, and International Relations.
"We added these programmes based on student demand and market trends," he said.
He urged students to choose a major they are passionate about, not just what's in demand.
