UAE, UK explore joint cooperation in education

Saqr Gobash Saeed Gobash, Minister of Labour and Chairman of the National Qualifications Authority (NQA), and John Hayes MP, UK Minister of State for Further Education and Skills, explored avenues of joint cooperation and exchange of expertise. Gobash informed the British minister about the mission and role of the NQA and its plans to advance socio-economic development consistent with the UAE Vision 2021 which calls for sharpening the competitive edge in the job market and transformation towards a knowledge-based economy. He said the UAE job market, which offers best job perks and benefits, is one of the world's most attractive labour markets. The British minister commended achievements the UAE has made in record time. He said the UK and UAE maintain longstanding bonds of friendship and cooperation. Dr Thani Al Muhairi, Director of NQA, gave a presentation on the key guidelines of the NQA which cover education and training, including vocational education and training, and its relationship with the economy and labour market as well as the development of a national qualifications framework and identifying appropriate national mechanisms covering vocational education and training and development of related systems and processes. "The Authority is working in coordination with other concerned authorities to establish and develop a national system of educational qualifications by drawing up plans and policies in this regard within a comprehensive and standardised strategy of the qualifications. "This will determine regulations and standards of higher, general, technical education qualification and vocational training and how to develop them continuously in order to keep pace with scientific and technological progress and the requirements of economic and social development in UAE,'' he added. Top labour officials along with Dominic Jermey, the British ambassador to the UAE, were present at the meeting.