Programme to help aspiring electrical engineers gain skills to enter workforce

The power and automation technology company, ABB, has joined forces with the Swedish Trade Council to offer talented Emirati graduates scholarships to cater to the growing demand for Emirati engineers in the UAE. As part of the new programme, ABB announced that it will sponsor every year two promising UAE national students pursuing a degree in engineering, to complete a master’s degree in electrical engineering at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.

This is the second time that the Swedish Trade Council is working with ABB on a scholarship programme in the Middle East, aimed at promoting local engineering talent.

According to ABB, the first batch of students will commence the graduate programme in September 2011. The scholarship will cover all expenses, including accommodation, transport, medical insurance and books. Students will also receive hands-on training at ABB’s facilities in Sweden.

“This scholarship programme will give aspiring UAE engineers a unique opportunity to develop their engineering skills and industry knowledge in a completely new environment,” said Jana Vasickova, Human Resources Manager for ABB in the UAE. “In the UAE, there is a huge demand for qualified Emirati engineers in all industry sectors, and this programme will help ensure promising students have the skills and experience needed to succeed in the industry and contribute to the country’s growth in the long run.”

“We are delighted to cooperate with ABB, as part of their corporate social responsibility programme in the region,” said Mats Paulson, Head of Swedish Trade Council, Middle East. “We hope that this scholarship programme will evolve and spread to key countries in the Middle East, as it will help talented young nationals across the region grow into tomorrow’s leaders in engineering.”