DEA & Zayed University join hands to promote entrepreneurial creativity & knowledge

Dubai Entrepreneurship Academy (DEA), which is the educational arm of Dubai SME, the agency of Dubai Economy mandated to develop the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, and Zayed University have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on providing e-learning, training and consultancy.

The agreement is part of encouraging students and the youth to explore entrepreneurship as a career alternative and achieving the strategic goal of Dubai to be a global hub of entrepreneurship and innovation.

The MoU will expand the entrepreneurial knowledge network and services in Dubai, benefiting a wider segment of students and business owners, said Ibtihal Al Naji, Director of Dubai Entrepreneurship Academy.

“Entrepreneurship is increasingly being identified as the driver of sustainable social and economic growth globally. Dubai has strong fundamentals in enabling entrepreneurs, which the emirate is leveraging to promote innovations and accelerate economic development. Our partnership with Zayed University is aligned to the vision of our leadership in strengthening entrepreneurial creativity and skills to prepare the next generation of business leaders,” added Al Naji.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in his 50 Year Charter had called for transforming universities into free economic and creative zones. Together, Dubai Entrepreneurship Academy and Zayed University will organise virtual awareness sessions and educational programmes to support entrepreneurial creativity and help start-ups to evolve into successful businesses.

Dr Hind Al Rustamani, Assistant Provost for Student Affairs, Zayed University, said:

"Our goal at ZU is to produce mindsets and skilful talents that aspire to become future leaders and entrepreneurs. Our partnership with the Dubai Entrepreneurship Academy over the past three years has notably benefited multiple students and alumni members to become successful business owners and part of shaping a brighter future of our country. We look forward to continuing our relations with DEA to develop the skills and competencies of our students to be ready and confident enough to face the market and meet national strategic objectives to be a global hub of entrepreneurship and innovation."

The two parties have agreed on conducting specialized entrepreneurship sessions for students and alumni at Entrepreneurship Camps to be held twice every year within their respective campuses. Zayed University will attend the entrepreneurial and career exhibitions organised by DEA and provide free consultation sessions for DEA students and alumni. Students nominated by DEA will be offered preferential rates for attending Zayed University programmes.

Dubai Entrepreneurship Academy provides targeted knowledge and skills sets based on the needs of the entrepreneurial and start-up community, with the objective of promoting entrepreneurship as a career alternative among younger generations and enabling entrepreneurs to contribute to sustainable economic development in Dubai and the UAE. The Academy has organised more than 600  vocational training programmes to date to support the various stages of SME life cycle. More than 24000  trainees have attended DEA programmes and the satisfaction rate exceeded 90%.

For more information on the Dubai Entrepreneurship Academy and its programmes, contact dea@smae.ae

News Source: https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2021/July/06-07/Dubai-Entrepreneurship-Academy-and-Zayed-University