The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, part of Dubai Chambers, has introduced the Emirati Training Academy, a training initiative designed to foster indigenous digital expertise.
The Emirati Training Academy stands as a fundamental element within the ‘Create Apps in Dubai’ programme, aimed at equipping UAE nationals of all ages from any of the seven emirates with the skills and knowledge required for a successful career in mobile application development. This initiative aims to upskill Emiratis and foster their potential to embark on entrepreneurial journeys.
Under the leadership of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, Create Apps in Dubai seeks to train over 1,000 Emiratis in coding essentials, mobile app creation and business models. The programme’s ambitious goal is to triple the number of app developers in Dubai by 2025 and facilitate 100 new national projects for cutting-edge application development over the next two years.
Saeed AlGergawi, vice president of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, noted, “The launch of the Emirati Training Academy represents another significant milestone in our journey to position the emirate as one of the world’s most agile and diversified technology-enabled digital hubs.”
The curriculum
The academy’s foundational phase encompasses nine online courses, empowering participants to learn at their own pace. The comprehensive six-week courses encompass various business, technical, and design skills, including app marketing, mobile design and usability for Android, introduction to HTML and CSS, rapid prototyping, app monetisation and UX design for mobile developers. Advanced courses are scheduled to start in October.
Earlier this year, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, launched ‘Create Apps in Dubai’ with the intention of enabling Emirati talents to contribute to the realisation of the country’s digital vision.
The unveiling of the Emirati Training Academy follows a series of successful events and activations held since the inception of the initiative. These events include the ‘Design Thinking Hackathon,’ gathering over 100 young Emiratis to explore app development challenges and strategies for bringing their business ideas to life. The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, in collaboration with key partners, has also conducted interactive workshops to inspire tomorrow’s digital talent.
Moreover, the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, in collaboration with the UAE’s Artificial Intelligence Office, has published an informative infographic guide highlighting the advantages of innovative no-code platforms. This resource aims to lower entry barriers into app development careers by offering insights into no-code platforms, which enable individuals with no programming experience to create their own apps.
