Three years since global markets were rocked by Dubai World’s decision to renegotiate US$25 billion (Dh91.83bn) of debt, the emirate’s economy is bouncing back with its fastest rate of growth since 2007.

Dubai’s economy grew at a rate of 4.1 per cent year-on-year during the first half of this year, led by the tourism sector, according to the Dubai Statistics Centre.

The rate was the emirate’s biggest increase in GDP since five years ago, when the economy registered an 18.1 per cent rate of growth.

This is another sure sign that the Dubai economy is healthy and growing, meaning that Dubai remains a great place for Emirati and Expats to start and build their careers.

According to a report in the National, The Ministry of Higher Education has warned students to check with it before starting internet courses, after complaints about unaccredited degrees from an on-line university actively recruiting in the UAE.

Dr Bader Aboul-Ela, director of the commission for academic accreditation at the ministry, said Must University is granting degrees to students who later found difficulty in having them attested.

Must is listed by the state of Oregon as lacking “appropriate approval or accreditation“, state education authorities say.

The university is not accredited by any internationally recognised association.

The UAE Ministry of Higher Education does not recognise distance-education courses offered by overseas institutions, and foreign study should be supervised by a UAE cultural attache or embassy staff.

Students unsure of a university’s credentials can check with the US Embassy’s EducationUSA office in Abu Dhabi, or the Chea website

Minister of Education says those selected will be offered triple the salaries given to foreigners

Humaid Al Qutami, Minister of Education, and Musabeh Al Katbi, a member from Sharjah, suggested that more Emiratis should work as bus drivers, suggests a report in the National newspaper on-line.

Only 200 out of 7,000 such jobs are occupied by citizens, according to Al Katbi, who said he sees no problem whatever that Emiratis be placed in this job.

“On the contrary, our students will be safer with Emirati bus drivers than any other drivers and physical and sexual assault can be reduced or eliminated,” Al Katbi said.

Al Qutami, also head of the Emirates Transport Services, said plans to Emiratise this job were hampered by citizens’ unwillingness to apply or take it up.

“The Emirates Transport Services spares no effort to train and recruit Emiratis and offer them almost triple the salaries given to foreigners,” Al Qutami said.
Al Qutami explained that citizens account for 43 per cent or 1,661 employees and 1,197 bus attendants in Emirates Transport.

As the UAE gets ready to launch its Nuclear programme, qualified Emirati technicians are now becoming a hot commodity. The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp (ENEC) which is the organization that is responsible for establishing and running the UAE’s power plants, wants to train a a generation of Emirati nationals to take up employment in the nuclear sector.

In fact, ENEC estimate that they will need to train 2,100 technicians, operators, engineers and scientists by 2020 — and they will need 500 of these employees trained and ready by 2017 which is when the first plant is due to come on-line.

The government is hoping that 60 percent of the workers wll be UAE nationals.

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Private sector workers can enjoy a long weekend, starting November 30, in celebration of UAE National Day, according to a report in the National.

The country will commemorate its 41st National Day on December 2.

Employees working in the private sector were notified earlier this month that they will have a three-day weekend, but it had yet to be confirmed.

Government employees will be given an extra day’s holiday, returning to work on December 4.

Celebrations are due to begin one week before National Day on Sunday, and will run until December 3, although some organisations have already started.
To commemorate this year’s event, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has launched the Union Tree initiative and asked citizens to plant trees in their homes or workplaces.

Conrad Dubai, the first of Hilton Worldwide’s global luxury brand to launch in UAE, will host two interactive recruitment days this month with the intention of offering over 700 career opportunities across the new hotel, says an ameinfo report.

Taking place on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th November at Dubai World Trade Centre, local professionals who are keen to develop careers in luxury hospitality are invited to attend without an appointment.

Conrad Dubai is seeking professionals interested in joining various departments across the property, all levels, including managerial, on a permanent basis and all nationalities are welcome.

All applicants will have the opportunity to meet and interview with the Conrad Dubai team, including the general manager, heads of departments and line managers, to discuss potential career opportunities with the most recognized hotel group in the world.

Candidates should come prepared to highlight how their skillset is suited for the luxury hospitality sector, and provide examples of their motivation, passion and ambition in the workplace. Successful candidates may be presented with an offer and contract on-site.