Abu dhabi: The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) recently hosted a roadshow, consisting of two specialised workshops, aimed at introducing higher education institutions (HEIs) to the Academic-Industry Sabbatical Programme. This initiative seeks to foster collaboration between academic institutions and various economic sectors.

According to Emirates News Agency, the sessions were organised by the Industry-Academic Collaboration in the Economic Sectors’ Labour Market Group, a part of the Advisory Committee for Higher Education and Future Skills. The programme enables university students and faculty members to take sabbaticals from their academic or professional roles to work with potential employers in priority sectors. This initiative aims to provide practical experience and enhance students’ readiness for the labour market while ensuring that academic curricula remain in alignment with the needs of industry leaders and the evolving technological landscape.

Dr. Faisal Alayyan, President and CEO of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) and Chairman of the Industry-Academic Collaboration in the Economic Sectors’ Labour Market Group, led the first workshop in Abu Dhabi. Dr. Khalid Askar, Director of Innovation and Scientific Research at MoHESR, spearheaded the second workshop in Dubai. The workshops attracted over 180 participants from 22 HEIs, including university leaders, faculty members, and administrative staff, who engaged in discussions about the programme’s structure and national implementation roadmap.

The workshops also served as a platform for participants to discuss the needs of universities and provide feedback on the programme’s design and implementation mechanisms. As part of the introductory phase, additional sessions will be conducted for industrial sectors to gather further input.

Once implemented, the Academic-Industry Sabbatical Programme is expected to facilitate the development of research and development programmes, strengthen their practical application, and offer students high-quality training and employment opportunities. Faculty members will gain first-hand industry insights, which can be integrated into curricula and teaching methodologies.