Training journey between the UAE and China equips national talent with skills in technology and innovation

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 9 October 2026: The Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (ETCC) celebrated the graduation of the second cohort of The Nafis International Program, in partnership with Huawei, during a ceremony held yesterday, Thursday, attended by 37 UAE nationals comprising recent graduates and final-year university students specialising in technology-related fields.

The graduation ceremony marked the culmination of a two-month international training experience, combining training in the UAE with practical training in the People’s Republic of China. The program provided participants with advanced skills and expertise in technology and innovation, while also developing their personal and leadership capabilities and broadening their exposure to international experiences.

The Nafis International Program is one of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council’s flagship initiatives, launched to equip national talent with the skills needed for future technology sectors through an experience that combines specialised training with international practical exposure. The program focuses on some of the most in-demand and rapidly growing technology fields, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, big data and 5G networks.

The training journey included four weeks of specialised training in the UAE, followed by four weeks of practical training at Huawei’s facilities in Shenzhen, China, in addition to field visits to technology and innovation centres. This enabled participants to gain insight into the latest technological developments and benefit from leading global expertise and practices.

The program also provided participants with opportunities to develop their professional and leadership skills, build professional networks and gain exposure to diverse international experiences, further enhancing their readiness for future career pathways. Participants also earned the Huawei Certified ICT Associate (HCIA) certification, supporting their professional development and enhancing their competitiveness in the job market.

H.E. Ghannam Al Mazrouei, Secretary General of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council, said: “The graduation of the second cohort of The Nafis International Program marks an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to empower Emirati talent and prepare them for the economy of the future. The program was designed to provide an integrated experience that combines technical knowledge, practical experience and exposure to global practices, contributing to the readiness of national talent to compete and excel in future-focused sectors.”

He added: “We are proud of what the participants have achieved throughout this training journey and of the technical, professional and cultural experiences they have gained, which will serve as a valuable foundation for their future careers. We look forward to seeing the program’s graduates play an active role in supporting the UAE’s journey of innovation and technological advancement.”

David Li, the CEO of Huawei UAE, said: “We are proud of our partnership with the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council through The Nafis International Program, which has provided participants with the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in an advanced global environment. This collaboration highlights the importance of investing in young Emirati talent and equipping them with the technical and professional skills required by the job market. We look forward to continuing to support initiatives that contribute to developing national talent and strengthening their capabilities in technology and innovation.”

The Nafis International Program reflects the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council’s commitment to providing high-quality initiatives that connect national talent with global expertise and opportunities, enhancing their readiness to join rapidly growing sectors and supporting their professional development and advancement.

The program, delivered in partnership with Huawei, also aligns with the UAE’s efforts to build a knowledge- and innovation-driven digital economy and support the objectives of the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031. It does so by equipping national talent with global skills and expertise in advanced technology fields and preparing a generation of Emirati talent capable of leading the sectors of the future and strengthening the UAE’s competitiveness as a global hub for technology and innovation.

The graduation ceremony marks a new chapter in the participants’ journey as they transition from learning and training to applying the knowledge and experience they have gained in their professional careers, further strengthening their role in supporting the UAE’s digital transformation and innovation journey and contributing to the development of the economy of the future.