Page 17 - MBRF PR REPORT - January 2025

Press Release

MBRF and UNDP announce opening of registrations for

Future Skills Academy

22 January 2025- The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF)

and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) opened registrations for the
‘Future Skills Academy,’ an initiative launched by MBRF and UNDP in partnership with

Coursera. The initiative seeks to bridge the skills gap in the Arab world by empowering
individuals with vital professional and academic capabilities required to adapt to the ever-

evolving job market and ensure an advanced and sustainable future.

The Academy aims to develop its educational pathways with a focus on the most in-demand
employment opportunities in the labor market. It primarily emphasizes the promotion of

diverse skills, including transferable skills that encompass personal development, digital

proficiency, and job readiness. Furthermore, it includes entrepreneurial skills, along with
technical, administrative, and financial skills, as well as advanced technological competencies

such as artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, digital marketing, machine learning,
blockchain, and data analysis, among others.

His Excellency Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF, said: “We are delighted to open the
registration process of the Future Skills Academy, which we regard as a vital initiative
designed to equip individuals with vital skills required to address future challenges. We

strongly believe that investing in human capabilities development is crucial for

comprehensive advancement, further enabling individuals to make effective contributions
to their communities.”

Hany Torky, Chief Technical Advisor and Knowledge Project Manager at UNDP, said:

“Various global reports indicate that the growth of AI will significantly reshape the

employment landscape by 2030. This underscores the dire need to empower individuals in
the Arab region with skills that are essential to thrive in the future job market. By developing
a highly skilled workforce, we can contribute to boosting the overall competitiveness of Arab