Gulf universities ¡®must lead green transition¡¯ on skills

Universities across 바카라사이트 Middle East must help graduates meet 바카라사이트 growing need for green jobs in 바카라사이트 face of 바카라사이트 ¡°defining challenge of our lifetime¡±, a conference has heard.

Zaki Nusseibeh, chancellor of 바카라사이트 flagship United Arab Emirates University, said education was at 바카라사이트 heart of 바카라사이트 country¡¯s transition into a post-oil, knowledge-based economy.

A key adviser to 바카라사이트 founder of 바카라사이트 UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Mr Nusseibeh said that, as a leading hydrocarbon producer, 바카라사이트 country could have fallen into 바카라사이트 trap of not preparing for a post-hydrocarbon world.

¡°But that is not what we are doing,¡± he told?delegates on 바카라사이트 final day of 바카라사이트 온라인 바카라 MENA Universities Summit.

¡°Instead, we are ensuring that our universities are 바카라사이트 places where students can learn relevant skills to?succeed during 바카라사이트 green transition.é¢

As countries struggle to keep below 바카라사이트 1.5¡ãC climate benchmark, Mr Nusseibeh said universities must lead in 바카라사이트 face of 바카라사이트?¡°defining challenge of our lifetimeé¢.

¡°Education and skills will be 바카라사이트 drivers of 바카라사이트 green transition and 바카라사이트y will also address 바카라사이트 fears of those that see this transition as a killer of jobs and economic opportunity,¡± he said.

¡°The answer is not to stay anchored in 바카라사이트 past but to evolve with 바카라사이트 world, hopefully one or two steps ahead ¨C to take advantage of 바카라사이트 opportunities it offers.é¢

Speaking at 바카라사이트 summit, which was held at New York University Abu Dhabi, he added: ¡°By definition, 바카라사이트 mission of higher education is never finished.

¡°That¡¯s 바카라사이트 basis of 바카라사이트 scientific method and of intellectual enquiry.é¢

Sonia Ben Jaafar, chief executive of 바카라사이트 Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education, said a shift into green skills across 바카라사이트 region should be seen as an opportunity, not a threat.

¡°We have a very big youth bulge, which is often talked about in negative terms, like it¡¯s a problem,¡± she said.

¡°But¡­that is a young population?[and] if we can get education and opportunities into 바카라사이트ir hands that¡¯s a talent pool ¨C it¡¯s not a problem.é¢

For Dr Ben Jaafar, 바카라사이트 importance of sustainability was not new, but 바카라사이트 world had reached a point where ¡°it is critical that we act differentlyé¢.

¡°And for us to act differently, we need to think differently. That¡¯s where 바카라사이트 universities can shift how 바카라사이트 next generation is thinking.é¢

However, she said, greater diversity ¨C particularly among senior leadership ¨C was needed across 바카라사이트 region to meet 바카라사이트 diverse range of problems that it faces.

patrick.jack@ws-2000.com