Providing platform
for potential employers and students to engage and interact
Dubai, UAE: DuBiotech and
EnPark, part of TECOM Investments, today held the inaugural
Internship Career Fair, bringing together students and some of the
leading industry players for a chance to understand more about each
sector and the range of jobs within them. There was also the chance
for students to secure an internship with premier companies to begin
their careers in the most positive way.
A
recent Workforce Planning Study by DIAC in conjunction with Deloitte
examined whether the UAE’s education programmes serve the needs of
the industry found an increase in demand for skills associated with
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.
The
study of over 2,400 students across 17 MENA markets reported that
healthcare spending is expected to double between 2010 and 2015
across the region as a result of the increasing incidence of chronic
lifestyle diseases, an increase in government budget allocation and
mandatory insurance usage. These factors have created an increase in
demand for specialised skills, such as medical and laboratory
technology, especially at entry and middle levels. Today’s career
fair was designed by DuBiotech and EnPark to address these issues for
the benefit of our economy in providing these vital skills.
Over 350 students
attended the Internship Career Fair with 20 companies providing
guidance and advice on career opportunities and alternatives
available to students. These companies including; Eastern Biotech,
Pfizer, MEMBS, Hits, International Flavors & Fragrances,
Firmenich, Amgen, Mundi Pharma, Bristol-Myers Squibb, DubaiOmics,
Alexion and Petra Solar.
Marwan Abdulaziz,
Executive Director of DuBiotech and EnPark said “Today’s
Internship Career Fair is designed to empower students and graduates
to take charge of their own future, and contributing to Dubai’s
vision of a knowledge-based economy. I see our role at DuBiotech &
EnPark as a bridge between the private sector, academia and
government to make the most of all the positive synergies this
combination can facilitate.
By demonstrating to
students the opportunities Dubai has for a career in the science
sectors, we will boost retention of skilled graduates therefore
reduce the brain-drain effect of their choosing options abroad. In
addition, we are providing our business partners with the opportunity
to hire bright and ambitious students who may bring real benefits to
their organisations as they continue their career.”
Barry Fern,
Laboratory Manager of Firmenich, an international producer of
perfumery and flavour chemicals, said “We as a company grow
through our people. We want the best employees we can get, and
through opportunities like the Internship Career Fair organised by
DuBiotech and EnPark, we are able to do so. It is a window to a
career if you like, by assessing the talent coming through, and
taking students on for internships at these type of fairs, if they
excel, develop and grow within the business, then the business grows
too. You’re going to get the enthusiastic and committed students
coming to events this, and that gives them a head start in the search
for a career.”
Mariam
Abdulqader, Head of Quality and Information Management of DubaiOmics,
said “We are excited as this career fair is geared towards science
students. We are looking for talent, and this is the perfect way to
assess the calibre of students out there. Usually when we recruit, it
is mostly based on personality, enthusiasm, and the desire to work in
biotechnology and science. Not only that, but we are focused on
recruiting locally, we feel that to make any industry work, the
people need to be invested and committed to the country that they
live in. If you’re here, and want to contribute and give back, you
need to source your talent locally. We have recruited nearly all of
our staff from Dubai, many from the universities attending today, and
this is because we believe in investing in the country.”
For
further information please contact:
Iain
Munro, Bell Pottinger: +971 55 5597389 imunro@bell-pottinger.com
About
DuBiotech
Dubai
Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech), a member of TECOM
Investments, is a free zone business park dedicated to fostering the
growth of the life sciences industry in the region. DuBiotech was
established to support the Government of Dubai’s vision to
transform the UAE into a knowledge-based economy and develop the
region’s talent pool.
DuBiotech
offers world-class infrastructure and cutting edge research and
development facilities, specifically designed and built for the field
of biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical and scientific device, food
and agricultural industries. The free zone can support both start-ups
and international firms looking for a regional base for their Middle
East or global operations. The park is central to a community that is
committed to the industry’s success by bringing together business,
regulators and Government in partnership.
Since
its launch in 2005, DuBiotech has rapidly grown into a community of
126 life sciences companies such as Pfizer, Genzyme, Merck-Serono,
Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Maquet, National Reference Lab,
Firmenich and IFF.
For
further information on DuBiotech, please visit our website:
www.dubiotech.ae.
About
ENPARK
ENPARK,
a member of TECOM Investments, is a free zone dedicated to fostering
the growth of the alternative energy and environmental industries, by
offering excellent real estate facilities and providing access to the
MENA region with a view to helping diversify Dubai’s economy.
ENPARK
offers businesses technical and community infrastructure facilities
across TECOM’s portfolio of business parks promoting industry
growth by acting as a bridge between businesses and Government.
A
founding member of the ‘Green Economic Partnership’ in set up
accordance with Dubai’s Vision 2021, ENPARK is dedicated to
facilitating and fostering business growth and encouraging
sustainable practises by providing a platform from which companies in
the clean tech sector can operate. More than 50 companies, from
clean-tech start-ups to energy multinationals, all operate under
ENPARK’s licences.
Since
it was established in 2006, ENPARK has been widely recognized for its
work and has received a number of high profile awards. In 2012,
ENPARK was awarded the “UAE Green Brand” and it was honoured in
the ‘Excellence in Environmental Projects and Products – Future
Projects’ category at the Offshore Arabia 2009 Environmental
Awards. It was ‘Company of the Year’ at the Alternative Energy
Awards in 2008 for its role in raising awareness about sustainability
concepts in the region.
