Page 13 - EHRDC PR REPORT - AUGUST 2025

Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri, Assistant Governor for Financial Operations and Support Services at the
Central Bank of the UAE, and Vice Chairman of the Board of the Emirates Institute of Finance, said,
“Ethraa Career Fair represents a strategic milestone within the national efforts to build a
specialised Emirati human capital capable of keeping pace with the rapid transformations in the
financial sector, particularly in light of the ongoing shift toward digitisation and innovation. At the
Central Bank and the Emirates Institute of Finance, we remain committed to developing a
comprehensive training and qualification framework that aligns with the needs of the next phase
and enhances the readiness of national talent ultimately driving quality Emiratisation and
reinforcing the UAE’s position as a leading regional and global financial hub.”

Dr. Faisal Al Ayyan, President & CEO of the Higher Colleges of Technology, said, “Empowering
Emirati youth to lead in key sectors like finance and banking is central to our mission. By
participating in initiatives such as the Ethraa Career Fair, we reinforce our role in preparing future-
ready graduates through applied learning and strategic industry collaboration. These efforts
contribute directly to the UAE’s Emiratisation goals and long-term economic vision.”

The event witnessed the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the Emirates
Institute of Finance and both the Rochester Institute of Technology and Al-Futtaim Group.

These MoUs come as part of the Emirates Institute of Finance’s strategy to train national talent and
implement Emiratisation plans in the country’s financial sector. They also align with the objectives
of the “Ethraa” programme for Emiratisation in the financial sector, which is part of the Central Bank
of the UAE’s initiative to empower human resources in the financial industry.

Raghda Fatme, HR Director at Al-Futtaim Real Estate and Head of Emiratisation at Al-Futtaim, said,
“For over ninety years, Al-Futtaim has been committed to being a key partner in supporting
Emiratisation efforts across its various business sectors. Our participation in the Ethraa Career Fair
represents an important opportunity to engage with young Emirati talent, offering them
opportunities, career guidance, and clear pathways for growth and success. Today, we invest in
national talents with the aim of seeing them distinguished leaders in the future within our group or
in other organisations, contributing to the UAE’s global competitiveness and leadership. At Al-
Futtaim, we take great pride in this long-standing commitment to nurturing local talent,
empowering them with the skills and experiences needed to lead the future and further reinforce
the UAE’s position at the forefront.”

Dr Yousef Al Assaf, President, RIT Dubai, said, “Today’s signing with the Emirates Institute of
Finance (EIF) marks the start of a practical and forward-looking partnership. Together, we will use
our combined expertise to strengthen an ecosystem that can adapt to and shape the finance
sector’s future. This is part of a wider network of collaborations that feed into our Future Foresight
Centre, where we actively explore multiple future scenarios — whether they involve rapid
technological advances, new regulatory landscapes, or evolving economic priorities — and develop
strategies that turn these possibilities into opportunities for growth, innovation, and long-term
stability.”

The fair comes in line with national efforts to invest in youth potential and support their
participation in shaping the future of key sectors that underpin the UAE’s knowledge economy and
sustainable development agenda.

https://www.wam.ae