New R&D Talent Enablement Programme aims to take students from classrooms to research careers.
Abu Dhabi: Schoolchildren in Abu Dhabi who show an interest in science and technology will have a clearer pathway towards research and innovation careers under a new national initiative launched by the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC).
The R&D Talent Enablement Programme connects school pupils, university students and early-career researchers with opportunities in education, mentorship, competitions and research.
The initiative was unveiled at the National Festival of Science, Technology and Innovation (NSTI) in Al Ain, jointly organised by ATRC and the Ministry of Education.
It brings together 11 initiatives spanning six stages of an individual’s academic and professional journey, offering young people a structured route into research and innovation.
From classroom to research career
The programme aims to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as an incubator of scientific talent and expand the UAE’s research and development workforce.
For younger students, the ATRC School Programme offers a year-long introduction to advanced technologies in schools across the UAE. Community hubs will also provide hands-on exposure to research and development, bringing science learning beyond the classroom.
Students demonstrating strong potential will have access to assessments, competitions and specialised training opportunities, including in physical AI and space exploration.
As they progress through their education, participants will also be able to pursue scholarships, internships and industrial training placements in the UAE and overseas.
Identifying talent early
A central component of the initiative is the Talent Observatory, a national database designed to identify and track promising research and development talent across the UAE.
By monitoring students’ participation in challenges, training programmes and assessments, the Observatory will help ATRC and its affiliated organisations understand their interests and emerging capabilities. This will allow support to be tailored to individual students as they progress through their studies and begin their careers.
ATRC expects the Talent Observatory to contain more than 20,000 records by 2030.
Investing in future researchers
Shahab Issa Abu Shahab, Director General of ATRC, said the UAE’s ambition to build a competitive, knowledge-based economy depends on developing its people.
“From schoolchildren to PhD candidates, the R&D Talent Enablement Program will provide successive generations of home-grown researchers with the skills, opportunities and experience they need to contribute to the UAE’s future and compete on the global stage,” he said.
Dr-Ing. Mae Al Mansoori, Director of R&D Talent Enablement at ATRC, said the country had no shortage of talent.
“We have never been short of talent in this country,” she said.
She explained that the programme would establish the framework to identify promising young people early, track their progress, set clear milestones at every stage and ensure the research sector is prepared to absorb their talent.
Building on existing initiatives
The new programme builds on ATRC’s existing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) initiatives, which have already reached more than 50,000 students across the Emirates.
The NSTI Festival is taking place from November 10 to 13 at the ADNEC Centre in Al Ain, where visitors can find out more about the programme and its opportunities.
