Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) | DEWA honours 118 outstanding students in its scholarship programme

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has honoured 118 high-performing students who are enrolled in its scholarship programme for Emirati students in local and foreign universities. Honouring the students supports DEWA’s efforts to encourage innovators and high-performers, and its efforts to develop talented Emiratis.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, honoured the students who achieved high GPAs in the first semester of the academic year 2015/2016 in a ceremony held at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event was attended by DEWA’s Executive Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents, DEWA officials, and students’ families.

At the ceremony, Al Tayer congratulated the students and commended their achievements. He wished them further success and progress in their studies to get the required qualifications and start their professional careers and contribute to meeting DEWA’s work needs.

“His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai once observed, “To those who would like to leave their mark on this country I say, ‘The stage is yours.’ ” Your excellence in your studies and receiving your degrees with high grades will contribute to enhancing the UAE’s position, and will have a positive effect on the country’s energy sector. The future lies ahead of you to prove your capabilities to spearhead the UAE’s water and energy sectors, and carry on the successful journey of Dubai and the UAE at the global level,” said Al Tayer.

Al Tayer highlighted the importance of DEWA’s scholarship programme for Emirati students. The programme’s students will take the country’s energy sector to the next level of growth and progress. They are examples of a generation that recognise the significance of vocational work and the importance of joining a scientific programme that provides them with world-class skills, and qualifies them to play a positive role at work, and to be competitive in the job market.

“DEWA’s scholarship programme is part of our efforts to support and develop talented Emiratis and achieve the objectives of the UAE National Agenda in developing the capabilities of Emiratis. DEWA’s scholarship programmes in some of the best universities in the UAE and abroad, have proved to be significant in enhancing academic performance and professional excellence. This in turn, supports our strategy to enhance Emiratisation by developing and supporting talented Emiratis and prepare them to take leadership. At DEWA, we recognise that the Emirati youth possess the required skills and expertise that will enable DEWA to achieve its vision and ambitious plans, and contribute to transforming Dubai into the

smartest city in the world. By providing training and scholarships programmes, we aim to develop a generation that realises the role of professional work in achieving sustainable development, and create quality jobs that benefit both the citizens and the country. These efforts support our role as a socially-responsible government organisation,” said Al Tayer.

Al Tayer noted that DEWA’s Emiratisation strategy has achieved outstanding results, with UAE Nationals comprising 86.4% of senior management and 47.6% in middle management, employing 2,476 Emiratis.

“The stage is yours to achieve the highest levels of success and excellence, while acquiring skills from various resources to achieve your objectives to score high grades. Once graduated, we hope that you will become a part of DEWA’s ongoing success and continue its excellence. This will contribute to achieving the sustainable development of Dubai and the UAE,” concluded Al Tayer.

Dr. Yousef Al Akraf, Executive Vice President of Business Support and Human Resources at DEWA, commended the scholarship students for their efforts. “DEWA develops the skills and capabilities of Emirati youth while encouraging their innovation and excellence. This prepares them to contribute towards achieving DEWA’s vision and strategies, and transforming Dubai into the smartest city in the world. DEWA’s Emiratisation strategy prepares and trains both male and female Emirati students,” said Dr. Al Akraf.

DEWA works with many local, regional, and international universities and institutes to prepare and qualify high school Emirati graduates for engineering jobs in DEWA. The scholarship programme includes a Bachelor’s degree in electrical and mechanical engineering in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates University for 20 students annually. DEWA’s Intilaq Programme offers a bachelor’s degree in mechanical and electrical engineering in various private and government universities and colleges for 60 students annually, a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at the Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai (Dubai Men’s College) for 20 students annually, and an overseas programme for 10 students annually, enabling them to attain a bachelor’s degree in renewable energy. Finally, DEWA also provides scholarship opportunities for 20 students at the University of Sharjah.