UAEU delivers Al Nokhba Assessment for ADEC Scholarship and ATIC Internship
The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) has designed and delivered an Assessment Center for the selection of Emirati candidates for the prestigious Al Nokhba Program offered by the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) and Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC).
The UAEU General Requirements Unit (UGRU) was selected according to a sealed public bid to provide a comprehensive program of assessment, comprising database screening, English language testing, and psychometric evaluation in order to provide evidence-based assessment to assist in the selection of both scholarship and internship applicants.
Dr Mohamed Al Zarooni, Dean of UGRU and Director of the UAEU Continuing Education Center, underlined the importance of collaboration with institutions such as ADEC and ATIC as part of applying UAEU’s capacity in service of the Nation. He said: “The UAEU is proud to make its expertise available in support of initiatives that help develop the skills of young Emiratis, who will form the strong foundation of the Nation’s economy.”
”We are very pleased to have the support of UAEU in continuing to strengthen this program,” said Hanan Harhara, Head of Human Capital at ATIC. “As the name implies, Al Nokhba is all about finding the best and brightest Emiratis to lead our future advanced technology industries. This evidence-based backbone will be invaluable in helping us identify the talent and excellence pivotal to Abu Dhabi’s development.”
The UAEU Assessment Center was lead by Dr Khalil Khalil, UGRU Director of Student Services, who served as Executive Consultant for this project, and who developed the assessment program based on principles of critical thinking and a competency matrix. The program delivered a battery of interviews, including international applicants by telephone, as well as a series of challenging small and large team activities, as well as individual assessment by applying the Cornell Test of Critical Thinking.
The Al Nokhba Scholarship provides tomorrow's technology industry leaders with world-class educational, mentorship, and work opportunities. This scholarship targets students with outstanding intellectual distinction and proven potential for leadership. The scholarship was launched in 2010 with 80 students enrolled in the program so far.
The summer internship aims to provide highly-qualified Emirati Engineering Bachelor and Master candidate students with hands-on experience at the world-class GLOBALFOUNDRIES chip manufacturing facility in Germany or Singapore over 5 weeks. The program is designed to enrich and enable students to be exposed to the advanced technology ecosystem, culturally integrate in a globally competitive workforce and understand the nuances of Semiconductor manufacturing cycle.
Dr Zarooni expects the Assessment Center to serve the needs of other competency-based selection processes in the Emirates, as the independent assessment of suitable candidates is of great help in assuring the right candidates receive the personal development opportunities while at the same time minimizing the risk of drop-outs before completion.
He added: “The Assessment Center such as UAEU provided is a tool that can make the selection of high-stake candidates for scholarships, training and even employment opportunities and promotions, a scientific and evidence-based process, rather than relying on only interviews as in the past.”
Media Enquiries
Notes to Editors
United Arab Emirates University (UAEU)
- 21st Century research-based university, providing research solutions to support the UAE and, through its global partners, the wider world
- Founded in 1976 by HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan; the UAE's first national university
- Chancellor: His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Nine Faculties:
- Business & Economics
- Education
- Engineering
- Food & Agriculture
- Humanities & Social Sciences
- Information Technology
- Law
- Medicine & Health Science
- Science
- 12,500 students enrolled in Fall 2011/2012
- First PhD program in UAE national institution commenced in January 2010
- Strong focus on providing specific research solutions and benefits to society − the new model of a 21st Century university, furthering research as part of the global network of discovery and innovation
- Ranked 338 worldwide by the QS Ranking of International Universities
- http://www.uaeu.ac.ae
About Al Nokhba Program: http://www.alnokhba.ae
About ATIC
The Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC) was created in 2008. A technology investment company wholly owned by Mubadala, ATIC is focused on making significant investments in the advanced technology sector, both locally and internationally. Its mandate is to generate returns that deliver long-term benefits to the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
ATIC seeks to leverage the unique advantages it enjoys as an investor from the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to identify and realize long-term investment opportunities in the highly competitive and capital-intensive advanced technology sector. These advantages include significant and reliable capital, a patient investment philosophy, and a subsequently long-term investment horizon.
For more information about ATIC visit www.atic.ae
For more ATIC information:
Raeda Al Sarayreh
Senior Manager Media Relations
Tel: +971 2 413 3512
email: raeda.alsarayreh@atic.ae
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