Page 594 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - SEPTEMBER 2024 (Part 2)

submerges it. Kofe promoted the concept of a "digital nomad" lifestyle where individuals can live in
one part of the world while working remotely from another.

Dr Al Zeyoudi acknowledged the challenge of engaging Generation Z. "Communicating with an
Internet-oriented Generation Z, convincing them to work with you or sustaining their interest for
long is the challenge," he said. This generation's inclination towards making money easily through
the Internet poses a risk to traditional learning values.

Rachid Yazami, a Moroccan engineer based in Singapore known for his pioneering work on
batteries, stressed the importance of government policies in attracting international talent. He
praised the UAE’s stability and expressed hope that a Nobel Prize might soon come from the
Emirates. Yazami also highlighted that education shapes minds and instils values essential for
young people.

Global Competitiveness

The session at IGCF was hosted in partnership with Forbes Middle East and moderated by its Editor-
in-Chief Khuloud Al Omian. Other panellists included Simon Robert Kofe from Tuvalu and Rachid
Yazami. They agreed that attracting and retaining talent is crucial for economic development.
Western countries and Asian powerhouses like Singapore were acknowledged for their progress in
this area.

Yazami pointed out that there is a strong correlation between education and economic success. He
cited examples from Scandinavian countries as well as Japan and South Korea to support his
argument. "Education is vital in shaping minds," he said, adding that without curiosity to learn about
history, arts, music, there cannot be a sense of belonging to humanity.

Values as an Attraction

Kofe noted that Tuvalu promotes its values rather than competing economically. He believes that
every country should stand by its values as this can significantly attract talent. "We recognise our
limitations but we are innovative," he stated. The interconnected nature of today’s world allows
Tuvalu to invite talent despite its geographical challenges.

The panellists concluded that standing by national values can be a significant draw in attracting
global talent. They emphasised that promoting these values could help nations compete more
effectively on the global stage.

https://www.onearabia.me/business/uae-aims-top-10-global-talent-attractors-by-2031-011-
65103.html