Government jobs open up for graduates

DUBAI // Students at the city's 32 free zone universities will have an easier path to Government jobs after a decree by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai, yesterday formalised the powers of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority.

Previously, only degrees from institutions accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education - including Zayed University and the University of Wollongong - were recognised as qualifications for government jobs. That meant most of Dubai's graduates were limited to working in the private sector.

The news came as a welcome surprise to the universities. Dr Ammar Kaka, the vice principal of private university Heriot-Watt Dubai, said: "If our students can get jobs in government companies, this is excellent news for us."

Urshita Lele, 20, chose to go to the American University of Dubai - one of the few that did already have federal accreditation. "It's like a cushion for us," said the final-year finance student. "For me personally, I don't mind if I work in the government or private sector, but there is still a lot of prestige attached to government jobs.

Dr Abdulla Al Karam, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority director, said it meant free zone institutions in areas such as Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City, would now receive the recognition they deserved, both in the UAE and the region.

mswan@thenational.ae