Page 589 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - SEPTEMBER 2024 (Part 2)

Moroccan inventor Rachid Yazami

“It is easier to attract talent but harder to retain them, especially the Internet-oriented Generation
Z. Convincing them to work with you or sustaining their interest for long is the challenge.”

Focus on education sector
Dr. Al Zeyoudi said the UAE was working to “using education as a tool to attract talent at an early
age” and explained why that was important.

“Bright minds often travel to study,” he said. “If you take the case of Australia, one of the most
important sectors of the country is education. Huge development happened due to education.
There are other countries, like Denmark and Finland, that have also capitalised on the education
sector. They have attracted people to certain majors. Countries are focusing on bringing in students
hone and utilise their talents.”

His fellow panelist Moroccan inventor Rachid Yazami commended the country for the work it was
doing. “The UAE is known for its stability,” he said. “This is an important aspect for anyone looking to
settle down. Now, it I not very difficult to go to the next step. They should be aiming for the next
Nobel Prize winner to be from the UAE.”
Marketing strategy

Rachid also detailed how a government official from Singapore approached him to move to the
country. “I was teaching in California and he convinced me to move,” he said. “I have been there for
14 years and the about 30 per cent of the faculty in our university is foreigners. Singapore really
does a good job of attracting top talents.”
Dr. Al Zeyoudi agreed that different countries have different marketing strategies to bring in bright
minds. “For example, Denmark and Finland were able to attract scientist in the digital sector,” he
said. “Singapore and Switzerland chose to approach bright minds through direct communication.
UAE used its soft power to attract businesses so that they would set up here. Depending on the

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/uae-will-soon-be-among-top-ten-countries-for-talent-
attraction-retention-minister