H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Chairman of the Education and Human Resources Council, chaired the 17th meeting of the Council, after its reconstitution, based on the latest cabinet reshuffle, in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

The Education and Human Resources Council has held 17 meetings since its establishment, which resulted in some 83 recommendations, review and adoption of 22 policies, and the launch of seven initiatives and studies.

With the new formation, the Education and Human Resources Council renewed its commitment to continue efforts to ensure the education and human resources policies are compatible with the needs of the changing labour market, as well as assuring the preparation of qualified generations, who are competitive enough to keep up with the future needs of the labour market.

The 17th meeting discussed several topics issued by the government bodies.

The Council viewed two strategic initiatives demonstrated by Nasser bin Thani Al Hamli, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

The first initiative was represented in the draft law of unemployment insurance. Al Hamli said that the draft law "covers citizens working in the private sector and skilled expatriate workers," according to the regulations and specific percentages, whether it is for subscription or compensation.

He pointed out that the project supported Emiratisation efforts in the private sector by encouraging UAE nationals to work in this sector and attracting the most qualified expatriate workers while insuring them. This would contribute to the transformation towards a competitive knowledge economy, as well as guaranteeing a stable income for workers and providing a dignified life to them even during unemployment while strengthening the scope of social protection.

The other initiative is represented in the project of the National Human Resources Development Fund.

The Fund supports the goals of UAE Vision 2021 by focusing on employing nationals and increasing their competitiveness and qualifying them for leading positions, in partnership with the private sector, which would keep up with labour market transformations.

The Fund includes programmes to support the unemployed nationals and provide jobs to them in the private sector, as well as supporting those nationals who are new in the labour market, in addition to empowering entrepreneurs who want to establish new commercial projects.

Jameela Al Muheiri, Minister of State for Public Education demonstrated a report about the developments in day care centres, which included commitments made by government institutions in this regard. The report summarised the services offered by these day care centres and alternative services in case the day care centres were not available, as well as the reasons for the unavailability of the daycare centres in government bodies that had not implemented the decision.

Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills, presented a proposal about introducing diversity in exchange programmes by including countries such as Russia, China, France and others, as well as expanding scholarship available for students planning to study abroad by including more countries.