Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) | DEWA Campus for Occupational and Academic Development … an advanced educational landmark for the Emiratisation of the energy sector

The role of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is not limited to providing electricity and water services according to the highest levels of quality, reliability and efficiency, but also to prepare Emirati youth to lead the energy and water sectors. As a socially-responsible government organisation, DEWA also work to Emiratise its various jobs and provide quality jobs that benefit the country and its citizens.

DEWA Campus for Occupational and Academic Development

As part of its strategy to develop the capabilities of young Emiratis and provide them with world-class technical and engineering skills, DEWA has recently inaugurated the DEWA Campus for Occupational and Academic Development. The campus, which is spread over an area of ​​350,000 square feet in Al Hudaiba in Dubai, houses DEWA’s Smart Training and Education Centre and DEWA Academy. The campus has 4 four-storey buildings that include lecture and training halls, workshops equipped with state-of-the-art technological and educational facilities, computer labs, an auditorium, a multi-purpose hall, offices for engineers, trainers and staff, a library, sports playgrounds, a multi-storey car park, a cafeteria, and other modern facilities.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, emphasised DEWA’s commitment to prepare a generation of Emiratis who are qualified in DEWA’s areas of work, which directly contributes to the comprehensive development of Dubai. He noted that DEWA Campus for Occupational and Academic Development supports DEWA’s strategy to invest and empower young Emiratis and build their capabilities according to the best international standards in human resources, empower Emirati young people, and provide them with the technical skills according to the highest international standards in vocational training. This prepares Emiratis to occupy these specialities and prepare them to fulfil DEWA’s needs and expansion plans.

“DEWA works in line with the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to promote Emiratisation and prepare a generation that will keep pace with the government of the future and have a futuristic mindset, by developing a world-class educational system. DEWA adopts a comprehensive strategy to develop and support Emirati talents, encourage Emiratisation, and prepare a generation that will lead the energy and water sectors. We support and encourage the youth to be the next generation of experts and leaders in Research & Development, anticipating the future, keeping pace with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and making use of disruptive technologies. This is part of our efforts to contribute to achieving the UAE Centennial 2071, which is a long-term government plan to prepare the UAE and young Emiratis for the future,” added Al Tayer.

“DEWA Campus for Occupational and Academic Development contributes to DEWA’s Emiratisation plan to prepare young Emiratis in various technical and professional fields both theoretically and practically. This is done through pioneering training programmes that cover all the domains in DEWA, according to the highest international standards to keep pace with the tremendous changes in the job market,” said Dr. Yousef Al Akraf, Executive Vice President of Business Support and Human Resources at DEWA.

Dr. Al Akraf noted that DEWA Academy is a quality addition to the vocational and technical education in Dubai, as it prepares a generation of qualified young people to fill technical jobs. He noted that DEWA is committed to employing graduates of the Academy who get all the benefits given to DEWA’s staff.

Smart Training and Education Centre

DEWA adopts a well-established strategy for the development of national capabilities. It launches several training programmes for its staff so that they are up-to-date with the latest developments and technologies in their areas of work. The Smart Training and Education Centre includes 13 training halls equipped with the latest training facilities and smart applications. The centre can take up to 600 trainees. It provides training for DEWA’s staff in various fields, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), 3D technology, smart learning, creativity and innovation, sustainability, project management, as well as technical and specialised courses. DEWA has been accredited to provide training in several fields. In 2017, DEWA organised over 5,000 training sessions for 70,000 trainees with a total of 300,000 training hours.

DEWA Academy moves energy sector to new stage of growth and development

In line with its vision to become a sustainable innovative world-class utility, DEWA launched its Academy in 2013, as part of its strategy to move the energy sector in Dubai to a new stage of growth and development by investing in young minds and preparing a generation armed with the necessary skills and sciences, according to the best international standards in vocational and field training. DEWA Academy qualifies young Emiratis to fulfil the needs of various technical departments at DEWA, through leading technical training programmes that cover the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity as well as water desalination.

Students study in the Academy for three years during which time, they receive a generous monthly allowance. The academy can take up to 400 students. It includes 12 classrooms, 3 computer labs, and 12 technical and practical workshops. Since its establishment, DEWA Academy graduated 82 students and aims to graduate over 200 students until 2021.

Curriculum

The Academy’s curriculum includes three disciplines: electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and equipment maintenance and operation engineering. Students in the first year at the Academy (10th grade) study preparatory courses in engineering sciences. In the second and third years (grades 11 and 12), study focuses on electrical, mechanical, operation, and maintenance studies. In addition to the Ministry of Education’s requirements of the Arabic language and Islamic education, and the Academy’s requirements of the English language and IT, the students study BTEC’s requirements based on standards (PEARSON-BTEC-QCF) in the UK.

After completing the study, students receive a certificate from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai (KHDA) that is equivalent to the Technical Secondary School Certificate in the UAE. They also receive a diploma from the Business and Technology Education Council (Pearson BTEC) in the UK. Over 30 million students in over 70 countries, including the UAE, register for the programme every year. After graduation, DEWA distributes the students within its divisions according to the needs of each division.

12 state-of-the-art workshops

DEWA Academy includes 12 specialised workshops in electrical and mechanical engineering. These are: Smart grid -  SCADA Workshop, Advanced Electronics Workshop, Artificial intelligence Workshop, Smart Industrial Machines Workshop, Electrical Installations & Sustainability Workshop, Innovation & Building Management Workshop, Operation & Maintenance Workshop, Welding & fabrication Workshop, Design and Production Workshop, CNC Machining Workshop, Mechatronics Workshop, and Automation and Robotics Workshop. It also includes halls equipped with state-of-the-art tools and technologies, computer labs and a multimedia learning centre.

Skills

In addition to the scientific and technical skills, students gain other life skills such as time management, planning, innovation and team work. This is achieved under the supervision of engineers and trainers from DEWA, and certified experts in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and equipment maintenance and operation engineering.

Admission and Required documents

DEWA Academy accepts students for 10th grade who have successfully completed the 9th grade in public education. The student should not be less than 15 years old at the time of joining the academy and no older than 17 years old. Class size ranges between 20 and 24 students. They are divided into two groups during workshops and lab classes.

Required documents:

- Completing the application form with a written consent from the guardian

- The original passport, family book, and Emirates ID

- Passing enrolment examination, medical tests and personal interview

- 9th grade certificate, attested by the Ministry of Education or the KHDA

- A transfer certificate from previous school attested from Ministry of Education or KHDA

- Students who completed their 9th grade outside the UAE, should attest their certificates from the concerned authorities (Ministry of Education or KHDA, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Embassy of the UAE in the country where the certificate was issued)

DEWA Academy students’ projects rank first and second in Learning Skills Development initiative

DEWA Academy sstudents came first and second in the 8th Learning Skills Development initiative, in the ‘From idea to innovation’ category for their innovative projects. The initiative is supported by Her Highness Sheikha Rawda bint Ahmad bin Juma Al Maktoum, wife of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance. The ‘Smart Bridge Alarm System’ which came first, includes an accurate sensor to monitor bridges. In case of any danger or defect in the invisible side of the bridge, the system issues warning signals on the other side of the bridge to alert drivers, to reduce their speed immediately, which limits the occurrence of similar accidents. DEWA Academy’s students came second in the same category for their project ‘Super Power Workshop Trolley’. The project replaces hand-drawn carts used to transport materials and heavy equipment between workshops, with mechanical solar-powered trolleys to save time and effort.