Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is providing its employees the opportunity to join the online MicroMasters programme at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA. This is part of DEWA’s strategy to develop the capabilities of young Emiratis and its commitment to continuously develop the skills of its staff according to the highest international educational and training standards. The specialities for DEWA staff include Statistics & Data Sciences; Supply Chain Management; and Data, Economics & Development Policy. DEWA is providing this to 40 Emirati staff in the first stage. The programme builds on the strong relationship between DEWA and MIT, which was enhanced during the visit by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, to the USA in June this year.
“DEWA works to support 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 mind-set. DEWA adopts a comprehensive strategy to invest in our human resources, empower young Emiratis, and develop the capabilities of DEWA staff according to the highest international standards in technical, engineering, and occupational specialities. We work to prepare a generation of Emiratis who are qualified in DEWA’s areas of operation. This in turn, contributes to the comprehensive development of Dubai, and achieves the directives of the wise leadership to enhance research and development and anticipate the future,” said Al Tayer.
Al Tayer emphasised that getting a MiniMasters from MIT opens the door for DEWA’s ambitious staff to enhance their academic capabilities and continue their studies to obtain further qualifications in fields and disciplines that the UAE needs now and in the future. He noted that the programme underlines DEWA’s commitment to work with leading institutes, universities and research centres around the world, and to develop the capabilities of its employees, benefitting from its partnerships with many prestigious international organisations.
“Through the Data, Economics & Development Policy MicroMasters programme and other open learning initiatives, we look to identify and engage talented people who are passionate about learning,” said Sanjay Sarma, Vice President of Open Learning at MIT.
“We collect evaluations and feedback from learners who engage in the MITx MicroMasters programmes. Collectively, the students report a tremendous interest in continuing their education. In fact, recent survey results show that more than 50% of MITx MicroMasters learners report a desire to pursue their first or second master’s degree,” said Tracy Tan, Director of MicroMasters programmes at MIT Open Learning.
Dr Yousef Al Akraf, Executive Vice President of Business Support and Human Resources at DEWA, noted that DEWA will select 40 top-performing employees to join the first batch of the programme, which is a globally recognised professional and academic qualification. Participants have to complete the programme in 18 months alongside their regular workload at DEWA. The programme, which entails rigorous studies online, is equivalent to 6 months of full-time studies at MIT. After successfully completing the programme, employees can apply for an accelerated on-campus master’s degree programme at MIT or other top universities.