Supported by the Canadian-UAE Business Council and the UAE Ministry of Education, the Emirati Internship Initiative aims to provide Emirati students with meaningful work experience with a Canada-based EllisDon.
Daniel Murphy, vice president Middle East, EllisDon, said: EllisDon has a much broader vision for this program than just employing the two students ourselves. We plan to take a leadership role in getting other Canadian construction and engineering firms operating in the UAE to participate over the coming years. The trade and investment relationship between Canada and the UAE has never been stronger so we want to ensure this momentum continues.
Wissam Ayoub, vice president, EllisDon Middle East, said: The Emirati Internship Program is a way for EllisDon to support the UAE and help develop the young Emirati Engineers aspiring to become the future leaders in their fields. It is also an opportunity for them to learn best practices through our operation in Canada with the potential to engage them in the UAE.
As part of the initiative, EllisDon committed to hosting two students annually for a four-month period.
The first participant in the program was Jamal Alsabt, an international student from Dubai, enrolled in the
Sustainable and Renewable Energy program at Carlton University in Ottawa, Ontario. Alsabt said: The Emirati Internship Initiative is such a perfect opportunity to experience the responsibilities of being a part of a great company, which improves your educational, communication and working skills.
Murphy added: Wissam and I had the opportunity to meet Jamal in Dubai during his placement period. It was clear that he very much appreciated the opportunity and benefited from working with our SBS group. Jamals success in the program is really an indication of the positive impact such a program can have on young UAE up-and-comers.