Khalifa University of Science and Technology and the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation have launched the Alajdar Employability Program to strengthen graduate employability and prepare students for the UAE’s evolving job market.
The program was announced in Abu Dhabi on 1 September 2026. Its name comes from the Arabic word meaning 'the most qualified'. Organisers designed Alajdar to help students build professional capabilities throughout their university years so they leave with both a strong academic degree and the workplace readiness employers seek.
Developed over several months in partnership with the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation, the initiative drew on expertise from experiential learning specialists. Planners identified the key skills and attributes graduates need while mapping the full student journey.
Students will begin with four orientation sessions in September that introduce the overall learning path and the opportunities available during the academic year. At launch the program is open only to Khalifa University students in their second, third and fourth years.
Alajdar complements regular academic studies through four integrated pathways: professional development, career readiness, practical experience and reflection. Together these pathways aim to build professional competencies, give students workplace exposure and grow career confidence. The structure also encourages continuous learning beyond formal classroom work.
Participants who complete the program successfully will receive the Alajdar Employability Certificate. They will also gain academic and professional recommendations intended to strengthen their graduate profiles and ease the move into employment.
University and foundation officials presented the program as part of wider efforts to give students meaningful practical experience and clear routes into successful careers. The initiative reflects growing attention across the UAE to the gap between academic achievement and workplace expectations.
Khalifa University is the UAE’s top-ranked research-intensive institution. It focuses on developing leaders and critical thinkers in science, engineering and health sciences. The university aims to support Abu Dhabi’s and the wider UAE’s knowledge economy by serving as both an education destination and a recognised global research university.
The Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation, established in 2015, works to expand access to quality learning, meaningful employment and leadership opportunities for Emirati and Arab youth. Together with the Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund, the foundation reports reaching more than 400,000 young people. Its approach centres on turning education into opportunity and opportunity into lasting impact.
By combining the university’s academic strength with the foundation’s focus on employability, Alajdar seeks to give students structured support that runs parallel to their degree studies. The four pathways are intended to operate as a coherent system rather than isolated activities. Professional development modules build core workplace skills. Career readiness components prepare students for applications, interviews and employer expectations. Practical experience placements or projects expose students to real work environments. Reflection sessions help participants review progress and plan next steps.
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The limited initial eligibility second-, third- and fourth-year students allows the partners to refine delivery before any wider expansion. Orientation sessions will set expectations and help students understand how the pathways fit together across the academic year.
Employers in the UAE and the wider region increasingly look for graduates who can demonstrate more than subject knowledge. Soft skills, practical experience and the ability to adapt to changing workplace demands have become standard requirements. Programs such as Alajdar respond to that shift by embedding structured preparation into the student experience rather than treating it as an optional extra.
The Alajdar Employability Certificate is positioned as a formal recognition of the additional work students complete. Combined with academic and professional recommendations, it is meant to give participants a clearer advantage when they enter the job market.
Both institutions frame the launch as a long-term commitment rather than a one-off project. Khalifa University continues to expand its role as a research and education hub. The Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation maintains its focus on scalable pathways that connect learning with employment outcomes.
As the UAE economy diversifies and demand for skilled talent grows, universities and philanthropic partners are under pressure to show measurable progress on graduate readiness. The Alajdar program offers one concrete model: integrate professional pathways with academic study, provide clear milestones and certify the results.
Students who take part will gain structured opportunities to develop competencies, gain workplace exposure and build confidence. The partners expect the combination of a Khalifa University degree and the Alajdar certificate to strengthen graduates’ position when they seek employment.
Further details on participation and the full range of activities will be shared with eligible students during the September orientation sessions. The program is scheduled to run throughout the academic year, with ongoing review to refine its effectiveness.
