Page 24 - EHRDC PR REPORT - AUGUST 2025

8/22/25, 1:30 PM Ethraa Career Fair attracts more than 1000 Emirati job seekers in its ninth edition
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.

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