DUBAI - Abdul Majid Al Khaja, Chief Executive Officer of Rail Agency, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), yesterday urged universities in Dubai to prepare graduating students for job interviews because even talented applicants could be turned down by companies if they present themselves poorly.
Speaking before 535 graduates of the University of Wollongong in Dubai last night, he reminded the universities that graduates should be taught how to grow from the academic to working environment.
He also reminded graduates to avoid giving impression to prospective employer that they want to work alone as companies are looking for team players. "They should remember teamwork, communication skills and good negotiator factors that are needed in all areas, whether they join the government or the private sector or choose to go into business of their own.
Khaja, who was the keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony, is himself a UOWD alumnus. He completed there his Master of Quality Management.
He said that in many cases, the students under the B and C categories are the ones who usually succeed to become leaders in the workplace because a lot of A1 category students like to work in isolation and refuse to become team players.
At the graduation ceremony which was held at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, a total of 11 top graduating students were awarded and some 535 students received their degrees.
Prof Gerard Sutton, vice-chancellor of the University of Wollongong in Australia, presented the awards and conferred the degrees on the graduates of the 13th UOWD graduation ceremony.
Australian Ambassador Jeremy Bruer; Prof Robert Castle, pro vice chancellor (Academic and International), UOW Australia; and Raymi van der Spek, vice president (Administration) UOWD, also attended the ceremony.
By Lily B. Libo-on (Our staff reporter)