Emiratisiation Focus
Tawteen
Interview with Khuloud Al Nuwais,
Director of Projects, Emirates Foundation
The Emirates Foundation Tawteen Programme
was an initiative first established in 2007 by HH
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. The programme aims
to empower and provide guidance to young Emiratis
in their quest for employment and on their future
career paths in the private sector. The programme
is part of the Emirates Foundation which also has
other projects aimed at youth development and
engagement in social betterment throughout the
United Arab Emirates. Programmes include Takatof,
a youth volunteer initiative which encourages young
people to volunteer and help out at large events
like Formula 1 or visiting the sick in hospital. This
social volunteering organisation was set up from
contributions provided by the private sector that
the government has decided to match dollar-fordollar. This has been a tremendous asset in the
establishment of the Foundation’s partnerships,
designed to benefit the community through vital
projects that add real value.
“The private sector faces some challenges in
employing UAE Nationals. Addressing this issue was
the main idea behind the establishment of Tawteen”,
states Ms Khuloud Al Nuwais, Director of Projects
at the Emirates Foundation. The four key pillars of
society; the private sector, government, civil society
and academia, all play a fundamental role in the
Tawteen Programme. A symposium was held in 2007
to identify key areas that Tawteen need to work on in
order to “fill the gaps” in private sector employment.
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