Message
from the
Chairman
H.E. Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair
Chairman, Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation
Investing in high-quality education and opportunities is critical for progress in all societies, and this is especially true in the Arab region. The region has a lot of potential for growth, but it faces many challenges, like the highest youth unemployment rate globally. Almost half of the region’s young people are worried about finding jobs, and 80% are concerned about their education’s quality. These statistics showcase the importance of supporting Arab youth, who have consistently shown their desire to pave the way for a better future.
Message
from the
CEO
Sonia Ben Jaafar
CEO, Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation
Chairperson, the Global Council on Sustainable Development Goals
As we look towards the future, it is clear that the world is changing at a rapid pace. Jobs and skills in high demand today will not be the same as those needed in the coming years. To prepare our youth for the challenges and opportunities of the future, we must prioritize and expand access to high-quality education and skill-building opportunities.
2022
Impact
in Numbers
In 2022, the Foundation:
-
Launched 3
Nomu pathways- TechUp,
Siraj, and Project Hama -
Reached 26,000+
beneficiaries from 21 countries
in the Arab region -
Published 6
knowledge products -
Held 4
thought leadership events -
Completed Phase 1
of the Work Integrated Learning
Program -
Established
the Al Ghurair Foundation
Youth Advisory Council -
Created 17
multi-sector partnerships -
Graduated 279
scholars
Values
Results
Utilize measurable impact to enable long-term change in R the region through education.
Innovation
Explore ideas and be bold in our approach to designing education and learning solutions for real world challenges.
Synergies
Authentically engage and work with diverse stakeholders to better serve the region through educational solutions.
Excellence
Operate and continually improve to meet the highest standards for ourselves and our stakeholders.
Strategic Goals for 2025
Elevated Livelihoods
Provide
200,000 Emirati and Arab youth
with a path to elevated livelihoods
through sustainable, high-quality education and innovative solutions
Greater Impact
Leverage knowledge and technology
partnerships
to help ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning solutions in the Arab region
Alignment
with the
SDGs
Alignment with the SDGs
The Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation is committed to the nexus approach to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDGs 4, 8, and 17. Through its work, the Foundation leverages strategic partnerships to promote inclusive and equitable access to high-quality education, lifelong learning, and full and productive employment and decent work for all in the Arab region.
Our
Programs
Our Programs
The Foundation works with implementing partners to co-design high-quality and marketdriven programs and initiatives to empower and upskill Emirati and Arab youth. In 2022, the Foundation continued its commitment to working on its existing programs and launched three new programs that focus on in-demand technical and transferable skills and work integrated learning.
Nomu
Nomu
Nomu is a multi-sector youth development initiative that empowers Emirati youth through highquality training opportunities driven by the UAE’s priority sectors. It aims to equip youth with the information, skills, and tools they need for success in a digital, knowledge-based economy.
TechUp
TechUp is an employment learning pathway that empowers youth with training in diverse levels of in-demand digital skills to prepare for employment in emerging sectors. TechUp provides career coaching and guidance to learners and connects graduates with hiring opportunities, boosting their job prospects.
Foundational phase
Learners gain foundational digital literacy skills in a selfpaced, 6-week-long learning journey with subject matter experts.
Nanodegree program phase
Learners receive nanodegrees after a three-month-long program co-developed by some of the world’s leading companies, including Google and Amazon.
Siraj
Siraj is a 6-week-long program which aims to provide 300 Emirati youth with critical skills to enhance their competitiveness and prepare them for the job market. Siraj focuses on developing youth’s storytelling skills, identified by the World Economic Forum as future skills.
Project Hama
Launched under the leadership of the UAE Prime Minister’s Office, Project Hama focuses on enhancing the career-readiness of Emirati female military recruits. Project Hama aims to equip recruits with professional and transferable skills necessary for employment in a variety of fields, including design, project management, and entrepreneurship.
Al Ghurair Young Thinkers Program
The Al Ghurair Young Thinkers Programs (YTP) is an award-winning digital platform that supports Emirati and Arab youth, aged 15 to 35, on their education-to-employment journey. YTP provides opportunities for youth to build transferable skills needed in university and the job market, allowing them to contribute to the development of themselves and their communities.
Creates and delivers online university certificates, diplomas, and degrees.
Provides industry-relevant, lifelong learning opportunities.
Offers capacity-building for regional academic institutions in online education.
Uses innovative learning technologies to meet emerging labor market needs.
Work Integrated Learning
In line with the Foundation’s efforts to enhance the employability outcomes of UAE graduates while contributing to the growth of the local knowledge economy, AGF and the University of Waterloo entered an agreement to promote and enhance systematized and comprehensive work-integrated learning in universities in the UAE.
The Al Ghurair
Scholarship Programs
The Al Ghurair Scholarship Programs
The Al Ghurair scholarship programs aim to provide high-achieving, underserved Arab youth with access to high-quality higher education. The programs provide scholars with financial assistance and the academic and non-academic support they need to secure a sustainable livelihood.
The Al Ghurair
Foundation
Youth Advisory
Council
Thought
Leadership
Knowledge
Production
Knowledge Production
The Foundation shares expertise to help build a regional community of evidence-informed decision-makers. By providing policymakers and other stakeholders with policy-focused and evidence-based support, the Foundation has established itself as a regional thought leader.