Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, President of the American University of Sharjah, revealed significant strides in the university’s commitment to Emiratisation, announcing that the majority of new hires in 2023 were citizens of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with a notable emphasis on women.
In a meeting with the university’s Board of Trustees, Sheikha Bodour highlighted a remarkable 93% increase in the appointment of male and female Emirati citizens, aligning with the Emiratisation strategy initiated in April 2023 in collaboration with the Sharjah Human Resources Department. Of the new appointments, 80% were filled by Emirati women, a pivotal move towards fostering equal opportunities and balance within the university’s human resources.
Expressing pride in the achievement, Sheikha Bodour emphasized that a significant portion of the new Emirati positions pertained to leadership roles. The nationalization efforts aim to identify and nurture local talent, contributing to the self-sufficiency of the UAE workforce.
“We are proud of this great achievement that was achieved in a short period, especially since most of the new Emirati jobs are allocated to leadership positions,” stated Sheikha Bodour. She added that the strategy aligns with her vision to develop human skills beneficial to the university and the broader Emirati economy.
The Emiratisation strategy, integral to the American University of Sharjah’s mission, signifies a dedicated endeavor to contribute to social and economic development in the UAE. Sheikha Bodour reiterated the university’s commitment to instilling a sense of belonging and patriotism among Emirati citizens of all age groups.
The new Emirati employees have assumed roles across various departments at the university, including Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Student Affairs, and Student Services.
In the board meeting, strategies were discussed to build upon these achievements by striking a balance between recruiting international talent and providing opportunities for Emirati citizens to contribute to the university’s development.
