Dubai, April 16, 2008 – Dubai is to get a new academy aimed at training men and women who want to establish their own business or work in the local jewellery industry.
The Damas Jewellery Academy will be housed at The National Institute for Vocational Education (NIVE) in Academic City. It is the first joint venture in the region between Damas Jewellery and NIVE, an initiative of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).
Both parties are attending the 8th annual Careers UAE Exhibition at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre today (Thursday) to seal their agreement with a handshake.
Dr Abdullah Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of KHDA, said: “One of KHDA’s goals is to create a human development system which offers people many different ways in and out of learning throughout their lives.
“This unique example serves not only students’ passions and needs, but also the needs of the workplace and we hope it will be the first of many such academies to come. It is also important that this Academy is not just about creating employees, but employers as well.”
Mr Tawhid Abdullah, the CEO of Damas, said: “We are sure that the Academy will be a valuable asset to the jewellery industry by graduating highly-qualified professionals who will add value to this very important growth sector.
“The Academy will help provide nationals with the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue their own careers in the jewellery industry, which has always been a strong part of the UAE economy.
“Damas wants to see UAE nationals owning and managing jewellery businesses as well as working in every field of the industry. Damas will support UAE nationals in every way possible. We will be funding the Academy and facilitating on-the-job training, and we will also be willing to go into joint ventures with the students who start-up their own businesses.”
He further added: “The academy will be the pride and joy of the country and the industry. It will offer development programmes to all employees and managers in the sector. This will further contribute to the strong image and quality of the whole industry.”
Dr Naji Almahdi, Executive Director of NIVE, added: “The Academy will be the region’s most comprehensive resource for the jewellery industry. It is built on a solid foundation of partnership and integration with stakeholders.
“A differentiating factor of this Academy is that all programmes offered are internationally accredited. The Academy has the support of the entire jewellery industry and is already creating excitement among students wishing to pursue a career in jewellery.”
Although open to all nationalities, the Academy will support Emiratis who wish to enter the gold and jewellery industry in Dubai. It aims to place at least 20 Emiratis into work in the industry annually, and to graduate 20 entrepreneurs who want to launch their own businesses. For further information about programmes at the Damas Jewellery Academy, you can contact the Academy at DJA@nive.gov.ae
The main objectives of the Damas Jewellery Academy are:
· to prepare UAE nationals for employment in the jewellery sector and develop the knowledge and skills of those already working in the industry
· to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit of UAE nationals, enabling them to establish and manage their own jewellery businesses or franchises
· to enhance the career profile in the jewellery industry
· to enable UAE nationals to contribute effectively to the economy
· to assist in the transfer of technology and best business practices to the region
· to create a channel for the industry to contribute to society
The Academy will support the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 by offering vocational education and training programmes that address the needs of the jewellery industry in the region; by creating national future business leaders in the jewellery sector; and by assisting in the transfer of technology and best business practices to the region.
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PROGRAMMES THE ACADEMY WILL OFFER
The Damas Jewellery Academy programmes will be accredited by locally and internationally recognized academic and professional organizations. The Academy will initially offer the following programmes:
- A two-year Entrepreneurship Development Programme at the Higher National Diploma (HND) level to prepare graduates to initiate and manage their own jewellery businesses or franchises
- A two-year Jewellery Sales and Management Programme at the National Diploma (ND) level to prepare sales and management graduates for careers in the jewellery industry
- Short courses for skills development to provide further development and specific training in gold-smithing, design, gemology, sales and management at various professional levels
- Continuing and Professional Development courses for employees in the jewellery sector, in coordination with the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group
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The Academy will be open to all nationalities. However, priority for admission will be given to sponsored UAE nationals. Non-national fee-paying students and sponsored students will enroll for the same starting dates as national students.