University students in Ras Al Khaimah have a new way to get ready for the job market. Education For Employment-UAE (EFE-UAE) has launched the 2026 edition of its AJYAL Program at the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK), with support from Citi.
The program is built to give students the skills employers are now asking for, with a clear focus on artificial intelligence, sustainability and practical job readiness. The name “AJYAL” comes from the Arabic word for “generations”, which points to the program’s aim of preparing the next wave of young talent for a fast-changing economy.
What students learn
AJYAL is designed as a structured course that students take before they begin internships. It mixes online learning with in-person training, so participants build technical know-how and workplace skills at the same time. The program runs in three main parts.
The first part covers AI and digital skills. Through a digital learning platform, students complete courses on the basics of generative AI, how to use AI responsibly, and how artificial intelligence is being applied across different industries.
The second part focuses on green skills. In a session delivered with LinkedIn, students looked at the rise of green jobs and the growing demand for sustainability expertise in the UAE. Participants also received LinkedIn Learning Premium access so they can keep building skills in areas such as climate action and sustainable business strategy.
The third part is about getting hired. Through EFE’s “Finding a Job is a Job” workshops, students worked on job search strategies, professional communication, CV writing and interview preparation. They were also introduced to EFE’s AI-powered career coach, a tool that offers personalised guidance during a job search.
More than 200 students trained
The AURAK edition of the program has now concluded. The closing “Finding a Job is a Job” workshops engaged more than 200 students in hands-on employability training covering CVs, interviews, communication and general workplace readiness.
Dina Dandachli, CEO of EFE-Europe, said the program is meant to do more than line up jobs for young people. She described it as preparing them for the future through tailored training, mentorship and AI-enabled job matching, with the goal of removing barriers and connecting students to opportunities that can change their lives and communities.
Shamsa Al-Falasi, CEO of Citibank N.A., UAE and Citi Country Officer and Banking Head, said the initiative fits closely with the UAE’s strategic priorities around future skills, digital transformation and sustainability. She added that as industries change quickly and demand expertise in new technologies and green sectors, the partnership is aimed at helping build a skilled workforce for the job market of the future.
Part of a wider regional effort
The AURAK launch is one piece of a larger regional program called AJYAL: Future Ready Youth Employment and Skills Program. Over two years, it is being run across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.
The wider program aims to equip around 700 young people aged 18 to 35 from underserved backgrounds with digital, green and employability skills. At least 275 of them are expected to find formal employment through AI-enabled job matching platforms.
Why it matters for students
Across the Gulf, governments and employers are investing heavily in artificial intelligence, digital transformation and green technology. That shift is raising demand for workers who understand AI, data and sustainability, and it can leave students who learned only traditional skills at a disadvantage.
Programs like AJYAL try to close that gap before graduation. For students, the message is straightforward: the skills that make a CV stand out are changing, and the time to start building them is while still at university.
