Dubai Partners with du to Supercharge Emirati Talent in Tech Sectors

Editorial Team

Last updated 25-01-2026

3 min

EHRDC and du sign an agreement to “open more doors” for Emirati tech talent.

The deal backs Emiratisation through telecoms and ICT roles central to the “new economy”.

Tailored training aims to build practical skills and long‑term career pathways.

Both sides stress linking education with real market needs, not “one‑off training schemes”.

Success will depend on execution, but the partnership supports Dubai’s tech hub ambitions.

The Emirati Human Resources Development Council in Dubai has signed a new strategic agreement with du, the telecom and digital services company, aimed at opening more doors for Emirati talent in fast-moving technology fields. The move sits neatly within the UAE’s broader push to boost Emiratisation, with a clear focus on telecoms and advanced digital roles that actually matter in today’s job market.

The memorandum of understanding was signed by Abdulla Ali Bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of the Dubai Government Human Resources Department and Deputy Chairman of EHRDC, alongside Fahad Al Hassawi, du’s chief executive. On paper, it’s about collaboration. In practice, it’s meant to build a steady pipeline of trained Emirati professionals through tailored programmes and long-term employment opportunities in telecoms and ICT. Not a small ambition, but then again, Dubai rarely does things by halves.

Al Falasi said the agreement puts Emirati talent at the heart of Dubai’s digital transformation, pointing out that young people—men and women—need practical skills to raise their contribution to the economy. He described telecoms and ICT as a cornerstone of the “new economy” and noted that working with du could open up fresh career paths while supporting national Emiratisation goals. That last bit matters, because aligning lofty policy with real jobs is often a bit of a faff.

From du’s side, Al Hassawi emphasised that digital transformation only sticks when you invest in people first. He said the partnership would create specialised training and clearer career pathways, giving Emiratis advanced digital skills and preparing them for serious responsibility in the sector. And believe it or not, the agreement also sets up a practical framework to connect training directly with market needs—something many startups I’ve seen across the MENA region are crying out for.

That said, I reckon the most interesting detail is the focus on long-term institutional collaboration rather than one-off training schemes. For founders and operators reading Arageek, this feels spot on. I remember chatting with a young founder in Dubai who landed great training but struggled to translate it into real work. This kind of structure, if done right, could avoid that usual disconnect… well, you know?

On the flip side, these initiatives will only shine if execution matches ambition. Still, the knowledge-sharing aspect and the effort to align education with labour market needs underline Dubai’s intent to stay a regional tech hub. If this MoU delivers even half of what it promises, many Emirati professionals will be chuffed to bits—and the wider startup ecosystem might quietly benefit too, definately.

🚀 Got exciting news to share?

If you're a startup founder, VC, or PR agency with big updates—funding rounds, product launches 📢, or company milestones 🎉 — AraGeek English wants to hear from you!