Page 63 - MBRF English PR Report - September 2024

9/30/24, 10:50 AM Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation launches ‘Future Skills Academy’ as part of the Knowledge Project | E…

During the event, the MBRF announced the formation of a global coalition for skills development, inviting stakeholders to participate in the coalition’s inaugural meeting at the
edition of the ‘Knowledge Summit,’ scheduled to take place in Dubai in November 2024. The coalition underscores the MBRF’s pivotal role in fostering innovation and advanc
Sustainable Development Goals by launching initiatives and training programmes designed to enhance skills within the community and thereby empower individuals.

Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of the MBRF, emphasised that the launch of the ‘Future Skills Academy’ represents a crucial step in the Foundation’s mission to empower future ge
with the skills to develop sustainable solutions. “This initiative aligns with MBRF’s commitment to spreading knowledge globally to support community development. The acad
embodies our continuous dedication to bridging gaps, advancing the knowledge economy, and promoting human development across the Arab region by equipping individual
essential skills and directly linking education to employment opportunities,” he emphasised.

“The Future Skills Academy is a strategic investment in the Arab region’s future, further strengthening Dubai's status as a globally prominent hub of knowledge. The aim is to
generation of talented youth equipped to address sustainable development challenges and empowered with the skills to propose effective solutions,” he added.

Abdallah Al Dardari, Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States of the UNDP, said: “In addition to signifying a cr
advancement in our strategic partnership with the MBRF, this academy represents a pivotal step towards creating a comprehensive and sustainable future. Its primary missio
bridge the digital divide in the Arab region by enhancing digital capabilities and equipping local communities with the requisite skills to thrive in today’s ever-changing world. B
essential and cutting-edge resources, the academy will empower organisations and partnerships to leverage the opportunities offered by the global digital economy.”

On a broader scale, the academy is designed to bridge the digital divide, promoting innovation, resilience, and inclusion by providing individuals, governments, and SMEs wit
digital skills to drive digital transformation and foster community innovation. It also seeks to enhance social innovation through partnerships with universities and the private s
enriching learning experiences and improving practical educational outcomes. Additionally, the academy addresses labour market inequalities, including gender disparities, a
educational and vocational programmes tailored to support underrepresented groups.

The Future Skills Academy is set to offer a diverse range of certified and specialised programmes, available both online and in-person, in its initial phase. It is designed to equ
students, professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, and government officials with essential future skills and will act as a knowledge-driven catalyst, supporting various global d
and transformation initiatives, including the Digitalisation for Sustainable Development (DT4SD) programme. This collaboration underscores the synergy between UNDP initia
the Foundation’s commitment to bringing about positive social change through educational initiatives.

The academy will play a pivotal role in enhancing the skills of younger generations across sectors such as health, education, environment, governance, and policy-making. T
particularly significant given that youth constitute nearly half of the region’s population, with nearly a quarter of this segment facing unemployment and a still bigger proportion
to enter the workforce. Recent statistics highlight the growing gap between individual skills and labour market demands in the Arab region. Despite 70 percent of the populatio
internet access since 2022, only 1.7 percent are recognised as ‘digital talents.’

The Knowledge Summit is the leading annual knowledge event in the Arab world, providing a dynamic platform to highlight insights that drive modern technological trends an
evolving knowledge ecosystem. It brings together leaders, experts, visionaries, and policymakers to exchange ideas, explore the future, and address key themes from the kn
and developmental perspectives.

The ‘Knowledge Project’ is the result of a strong and strategic collaboration between the UNDP and the MBRF. Its mission is to guarantee accessibility to knowledge-based s
promote sustainable development. Additionally, the initiative seeks to facilitate meaningful dialogue and enhance awareness around the significance of knowledge and knowle
policies. It also fosters the use of knowledge outputs, with a special emphasis on the 'Global Knowledge Index' (GKI) as a catalyst for transformation.

Tariq Al Fahaam

https://www.wam.ae/en/article/b5fj3fm-mohammed-bin-rashid-maktoum-knowledge-foundation 2/2