Launching the national platform for practical training for higher education students

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and the Emirati Cadres Competitiveness Council – the “NAFES” programme, announced the launch of the “National Platform for Practical Training for Higher Education Students in the UAE.”
The platform, which was launched within the “Nafis” platform, allows university students to register for qualitative practical training opportunities in the labor market in the country through an integrated digital environment. It also allows institutions and companies of the public and private sectors to display the training opportunities available to them, thus consolidating their role as an essential partner in the national system of practical training, and contributing to the preparation of qualified generations who possess the experience and practical skills required in the labor market, by enabling students to engage in high-level training programs, within various vital sectors, in a way that enhances integration between theory and theory. It is practical in the student’s journey, and contributes to supporting economic and cognitive development efforts in the country.
The Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Awar, said that the new platform is the first national system to reshape the practical training path for higher education students, as its launch comes within the framework of sustainable efforts to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of national cadres in the labor market, and integration with government and academic agencies and the private sector, to develop the environment for practical training, continuous learning, and promoting the inclusion of digital transformation and smart services in all aspects of the labor market.
He added, “The launch of the national platform for practical training represents a qualitative shift in the system of training students in higher education institutions, as it achieves comprehensiveness of training and provides clear data that enhances the evaluation process and paths for developing training programs and academic specializations, which contributes to supporting the nationalization file in the private sector, which is a strategic partner in this national file.”
He pointed out that the platform represents a strategic step in the path of developing the higher education system within an integrated practical training environment, based on governance and transparency, thus forming a tool for unifying efforts and enabling students to benefit from practical training opportunities that contribute to enhancing their readiness for the future.
For his part, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation for Labor Market Operations and Emiratisation, Khalil Al-Khoury, emphasized the importance of the new platform in refining the skills of higher education students in addition to their academic achievement, which enhances their competitiveness and their chances of joining the labor market, especially since the aforementioned platform paves the way for them to meet the job needs of all economic sectors, indicating the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the platform by performing its role optimally within the framework of integration of roles between all partners.
For his part, the Secretary-General of the Emirates Competitiveness Council – Nafs Program, Ghannam Butti Al Mazrouei, stressed that providing practical training opportunities for higher education students is integrated with the new strategy of the Council, as a qualitative addition to the “Nafs” platform to support the efforts of national competencies and enhance their readiness to compete in the labor market.
He said, “This step is consistent with the strategy and directions of the Council in the next phase that was recently approved by the Board of Directors, which focuses on qualitative qualification that keeps pace with the needs of the labor market and enhances the competitiveness of citizens.”
He added, “This step allows companies to have faster access to qualified Emirati cadres who possess practical and professional skills that match their requirements, which supports the business system in the country and enhances the sustainability of supplying the labor market with national talents. Thus, the vision of our wise leadership is consolidated in building an integrated system for qualification, development, employment and empowerment that supports the sustainability of national competencies and keeps pace with the rapid development in the labor market.”
In turn, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Higher Education Operations Sector, Shamma Al Muhairi, explained that the platform provides opportunities to conclude strategic partnerships between higher education institutions and various economic sectors to design qualitative training programs that are in line with students’ specializations and the needs of the labor market, as all the training programs and opportunities offered will be subject to quality controls and standards, which were set by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research within the ministerial decision on the governance of practical training, in addition to its guideline, with the aim of ensuring that the training experiences are effective and integrated and support the development of practical skills. For students.
Higher education institutions, training entities and students can view registration and participation details through the platform through the Nafes platform. Linking the national platform for practical training with the “Nafes” platform contributes to building a unified national database that facilitates students’ access to appropriate training opportunities, and allows higher education institutions, government and private entities to actively participate in preparing generations of national competencies capable of contributing to achieving the goals of the “We Are the Emirates 2031” vision and the UAE Centennial 2071.”
It is planned to implement a series of introductory and awareness-raising workshops targeting universities, training bodies and students to explain the registration mechanisms and benefit from the national platform for practical training, and to enhance awareness of the advantages it achieves and its role in supporting the students’ professional educational journey.