Page 34 - MBRF International Part 1 - September 2024

the Arab region by equipping individuals with 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

nurture a generation of talented youth equipped to address sustainable development
challenges and empowered with the skills to propose effective solutions," he added.

HE 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 crucial advancement in our strategic partnership with the MBRF, this
academy represents a pivotal step towards creating a comprehensive and sustainable
future. Its primary mission is to 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. By providing essential and cutting-edge resources, the
academy will empower organisations and partnerships to leverage the opportunities

offered by the global digital economy."

Partnership model

On a broader scale, the academy is designed to bridge the digital divide, promoting

innovation, resilience, and inclusion by providing individuals, governments, and SMEs
with essential digital skills to drive digital transformation and foster community
innovation. It also seeks to enhance social innovation through partnerships with

universities and the private sector, enriching learning experiences and improving
practical educational outcomes. Additionally, the academy addresses labour market
inequalities, including gender disparities, and offers 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
equip students, professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, and government officials with

essential future skills and will act as a knowledge-driven catalyst, supporting various
global digitalisation and transformation initiatives, including the Digitalisation for
Sustainable Development (DT4SD) programme. This collaboration underscores the
synergy between UNDP initiatives and the Foundation's commitment to bringing about
positive social change through educational initiatives.

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