• Offers fully funded scholarships for Emiratis with high school diplomas or higher qualification
• 11 universities and academic institutions offer various healthcare specializations
• Over 3,000 Emirati students have benefited from the program since its launch in 2022

UAE – Abu Dhabi, 22 July 2025: The Nafis program has opened registration for Fall 2025 in its “National Healthcare Program” to prepare Emirati students holding a high school diploma or higher qualification for careers in the UAE’s healthcare sector. The program aims to train and qualify 10,000 Emiratis to work in the healthcare sector over the course of the next five years. It will be carried out in collaboration with leading universities and academic institutions across the UAE.

Emirati citizens interested in joining the healthcare sector are encouraged to register for the Program quickly and take advantage of its benefits. Based on the candidate’s academic performance, the program offers fully funded scholarships and GPA-based financial incentives, which will be disbursed at the end of each semester. Applicants can register through the links available on the Nafis platform or via the websites of participating higher education institutions, which include Higher Colleges of Technology; University of Sharjah; Gulf Medical University; Fatima College of Health Sciences (FCHS); Dubai Medical University; Liwa College; Abu Dhabi University; RAK Medical and Health Sciences University (RAKMHSU); Al Ain University; Ajman University; and Fujairah University. H.E. Khalil Al Khoori, Undersecretary of Labour Market and Emiratisation Operations at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), stated: “The National Healthcare Program reflects the leadership’s vision and commitment to empowering Emiratis in key sectors with special focus on healthcare.” H.E. emphasized the need to align educational outcomes with labour market demands to help build a skilled national workforce that supports the UAE’s vision for a sustainable and world-class healthcare system.H.E. Ghannam Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (ETCC), said: “The National Healthcare Program is a key pillar in empowering Emirati talent and preparing them to take on meaningful roles in strengthening the nation’s healthcare sector.

This program offers a stable and well-defined career path, along with the chance to actively contribute to the growth and advancement of the UAE’s healthcare sector. The growing interest in the program demonstrates its value among Emiratis who regard it as an important pathway to career advancement as well as national development.” The program includes a range of academic and specialized tracks. Its bachelor’s programs include Medical Laboratory Sciences; Emergency Medical Services, Nursing, Medical Diagnostic Imaging Sciences; Physiotherapy; Pharmacy; Anesthesia Technology; and Midwifery. The Diploma programs include Pharmacy Technician Diploma, Advanced Diploma in Emergency Medical Technician; Dental Assistant Diploma; Laboratory Technician Diploma, and Healthcare Assistant Diploma. Since its launch in 2022, over 3,000 Emiratis have benefited from this program.

It is considered a leading model of dispensing professional education as it combines academic training with professional support. The National healthcare Program exemplifies strong collaboration between the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization, the Nafis program, and the private healthcare sector. The program also supports Emiratis entering the private healthcare sector through the “Studying Citizen Employment Contract” ensuring their job security and career stability from the start of the academic journey until actual employment in the healthcare field. Currently, 758 students are enrolled in various universities under the “Studying Citizen Employment Contract”, which guarantees them a pathway into the job market. These contracts are signed with private healthcare providers following successful personal interviews. They guarantee a monthly salary of at least AED 4,000, enrolment in a national pension fund, and consistent pension contributions. Upon graduation, students are automatically transitioned into full-time roles at the same institution, within their chosen specialization, under UAE Labour Law. This further strengthens their career stability ensuring long-term contribution to the national healthcare system. Nafis currently supports 13 academic programs including eight bachelor degree programs and five diploma programs. The duration of study depends on the institution and the program type. Bachelor’s programs typically take 4 to 4.5 years, while diploma programs last approximately two years.