Dubai, UAE: Dubai International Academic City
(DIAC), part of TECOM Investments’ Education Cluster, brought together over 25 heads
of universities and HR and training executives, who provided vital input and
ideas at a networking event to discuss the next steps in achieving Dubai’s
vision of becoming the global capital of the Islamic Economy.
The academic experts and
HR professionals, along with Dr. Khalid Abdul Aziz Mohammed Ali Jinahi, Advisor
from the Dubai Islamic Economy Development
Centre and Dr. Ayoub Kazim, Managing Director of
TECOM Investments’ Education Cluster, came together to discuss the
challenges and opportunities associated with transforming
Dubai into the capital of the world’s Islamic Economy, as guided by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision.
Dr. Khalid Abdul Aziz
Mohammed Ali Jinahi gave a detailed account of the seven pillars that have been
identified in representing important sectors of the economy to achieve the
ambition of establishing Dubai as the capital of the Islamic Economy. These include;
Islamic finance, Halal food industry, Halal tourism, Islamic digital economy,
Islamic art and design, ensuring Dubai becomes the centre for Islamic economy
standards and certification, and the international capital of Islamic
information and education.
For Dubai to grow into
the capital of the Islamic Economy, and achieve this ambition by 2017, a vast
number of skilled workers will be needed to serve each of the founding pillars.
Findings from the recent Deloitte
‘Workforce Planning Study’
commissioned by DIAC, indicated that Islamic
banking skills are in high demand from GCC banks, particularly at the entry
level with 50% of the banks surveyed stating that they found it difficult to
hire graduates, supporting the need for qualified
graduates in these sectors.
Commenting, Dr. Ayoub Kazim, Managing Director of TECOM Investments’ Education Cluster, said:
“Islamic finance is a central pillar in Dubai’s strategy to become the world’s
capital of the Islamic economy. Demand for skilled workers in this field has
never been higher, and as a home for the region’s education and training
institutes, we have an important role to play in bringing academia, industry
and government closer together to ensure the future success of the sector.
“Networking
events such as this inspire debate and lead to the identification of pathways
in which we can help to achieve Dubai’s vision of becoming the centre of the
Islamic economy. At DIAC and DKV, we are dedicated to facilitating discussions
that outline the educational requirements that we will face in the future in
order to achieve the wider ambitions of the country. This is a smart and
forward-looking approach to education – and it is one that ties back to Dubai’s
overarching vision of developing a thriving, knowledge-based economy.”
Dr. Khalid Abdul Aziz Mohammed Ali Jinahi,
Advisor, from the Dubai Islamic Economy
Development Centre commented: “As Dubai continues to strengthen its position as
the capital of Islamic economy to achieve the vision of His Highness Sheikh
Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE
and Ruler of Dubai, the public and private sectors are making phenomenal
contributions through launching initiatives that boost the growth of the
sector’s allied verticals.
Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre is committed to coordinating
with various bodies and institutions to support and encourage initiatives that
enhance Dubai's position as the capital of Islamic economy.
As part of this priority, we are paying special
attention to research and knowledge development and are set to launch a series
of educational projects specific to the various sectors of Islamic economy. We
also aim to set up centres for research studies to build a body of work that
enriches the new generation’s understanding of the Islamic economy.”
