Dubai International Academic City hosts 4th annual Careers Fair

Dubai International Academic City (DIAC)’s annual Careers Fair 2013 is set to take place on the 17 and 18 February, bringing together students, graduates and leading recruiters from the public and private sectors.

Aimed at graduate and post-graduate students from 26 academic Institutions of which 21 are International Branch Campuses based in DIAC, the fair provides a forum to students to network with employers and discuss a wide variety of internship and full-time recruitment opportunities. The event is organised by Student Hub, the official representative of the DIAC student body, as a part of a series of initiatives structured to support and foster students’ progression and growth.

The two-day showcase will have representatives from leading companies on hand to answer questions and conduct on-site interviews. There will also be practical help with job searches and interview techniques for students.

DIAC Careers Fair offers recruiters an unparalleled opportunity to meet and engage with a pool of more than 4,500 highly talented students, representing a range of academic disciplines at both Bachelor and Master Degree level, such as finance, human resources, telecommunications, fashion, arts, biotechnology, engineering, audio and film production (including animation and game development), travel and tourism; mass media communication, logistics, healthcare and information technology.
For the first time – and in an endeavour to further facilitate the recruitment process – DIAC has set up a dedicated web portal http://www.diaccareerfair.com/ for recruiters, allowing them to search students’ resumes, upload employment opportunities and schedule interviews for the duration of the event. Participating employers can also showcase their company to students who have registered with the portal and attend presentations given by students.

Stressing the importance of bringing together employers and fresh graduates, Dr. Ayoub Kazim, Managing Director, TECOM Investments Education Cluster, said, “Deciding which career path to take is not easy, especially when you are unsure of your options. Graduates need to be able to explore opportunities and see what types of employment are available to them. As for employers, they need to be able to meet with graduates in person to recognise their enthusiasm and potential and to find the recruits best suited for their requirements.
Highlighting the unique demographics of the DIAC student body, Dr. Ayoub added, “As well as having a large graduating class of DIAC students, it is also culturally diverse. We have nearly 140 nationalities making up our student population. Twenty per cent of our students are from the UAE, 20 per cent from across the GCC and Arab region, 45 per cent from South Asia and a further 15 per cent from other parts of the globe.”

In line with its strategy, DIAC is working with Deloitte on the region’s first ever workforce planning study that will identify existing gaps and opportunities in the regional workforce and make DIAC’s current academic portfolio more aligned with industry needs. The study also aims at understanding upcoming trends in emerging industry segments in terms of skills and education.

Leading organisations who have confirmed their participation at the DIAC’s Career Fair include: ICAEW, Deloitte, Genesis, Gradberry, Povectus Energy, Majid Al Futtaim Fashions, Al Ahli Holding Group.

Careers 2013 will be held at Dubai Knowledge Village Conference Centre, Block 1, and is organised in conjunction with Beyond Borders.