Edufair Abu Dhabi 2026 expert panellists discuss degrees, skills, and hiring trends shaping graduate employability.
Industry exposure, communication skills, and interdisciplinary learning are increasingly influencing hiring outcomes, education leaders said during a panel discussion at Edufair Abu Dhabi 2026, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort Abu Dhabi Corniche from May 16 to 17.
The session, titled “The Employability Test: Which Degrees Open Doors First?”, examined which academic disciplines lead to faster employment, what employers value beyond academic qualifications, and how students can prepare for a job market increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, automation, and evolving industry demands.
Participating in the discussion were Dr Syed Mohammed Sajl, Amir F Zeid, Dr Anita Patankar, and Syed Fahad.
The panelists agreed that academic degrees alone are no longer sufficient for employability, with employers increasingly valuing communication skills, adaptability, leadership potential, and hands-on practical experience alongside formal qualifications.
Dr Syed Mohammed Sajl said that holding a degree is only the starting point in today’s job market, noting that graduates are not automatically employed immediately after completing their studies. He explained that employers increasingly assess soft skills, communication ability, and the capacity to apply knowledge in real-world settings.
He advised students against selecting degrees based on trends or external pressure, encouraging them instead to consider long-term prospects and personal strengths. He added that students should think about how their chosen course will remain relevant five years into the future, noting that traditional fields like construction and engineering will continue to grow alongside emerging opportunities in areas such as photography, videography, content creation, and other creative industries that are increasingly being recognised as professional career paths.
Dr Syed Mohammed Sajl highlighted the importance of extracurricular activities and internships in improving employability. He said that students who balance academics with leadership roles, sports, or student clubs demonstrate discipline, time management, and responsibility—qualities that strongly appeal to employers.
Amir F Zeid added that employers are increasingly prioritising portfolios and demonstrated skills over academic grades alone. He noted that while degrees show a capacity for disciplined learning, hiring decisions are often driven by what candidates can showcase through practical experience and work samples.
He further emphasised the need for students to strengthen soft skills and use artificial intelligence effectively and responsibly, explaining that employers value attitude and communication abilities, and expect AI tools to be used thoughtfully rather than as shortcuts for completing academic work.
Amir F Zeid highlighted the growing importance of interdisciplinary programmes that combine technology with other fields. He noted that emerging combinations such as AI and healthcare are creating new career pathways, enabling students to contribute to areas like saving lives without necessarily becoming doctors. He added that such hybrid programmes are generating entirely new skill sets and opportunities.
Dr Anita Patankar encouraged students to focus less on job titles and more on understanding the global challenges industries are trying to solve. She said future careers will emerge from education that addresses major societal problems, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, healthcare, psychology, sustainability, and interdisciplinary studies. She explained that combining fields like AI and law, psychology and technology, or sustainability and economics produces graduates equipped to solve real-world problems—making them highly attractive to employers.
She also addressed the gap between parental expectations and student aspirations, noting that parents often prioritise long-term financial security while students tend to focus on personal interest and passion. She stressed the importance of open and honest conversations between both sides when making career decisions.
Dr Anita Patankar said students must demonstrate that their career choices are well-researched and informed, advising them to build trust with parents by showing that their decisions are based on careful consideration rather than emotion.
Syed Fahad noted that perceptions around career choices have shifted in recent years, with parents becoming more open to alternative pathways and emerging industries. He said there is now greater willingness to engage in discussions that were previously dominated by a preference for traditional career options.
He also emphasised that students must take responsibility for researching their chosen careers and preparing for workplace expectations. He added that employers today focus not only on academic qualifications but also on the practical skills and competencies candidates can demonstrate from the outset.
Syed Fahad said that industry exposure through internships and practical learning has become increasingly important, as employers expect graduates to be able to contribute from day one. He emphasised that being “career-ready” requires continuous skill development, internships, and ongoing upskilling.
The discussion also focused on how students can stay employable in an increasingly uncertain, technology-driven future. Dr Syed Mohammed Sajl said students must embrace lifelong learning and adaptability, noting that learning through experimentation—even failure—helps build long-term capability.
Amir F Zeid warned that the rise of AI-generated content has made it harder for candidates to stand out, as many CVs, applications, and online profiles now appear similar. He said authenticity and originality are becoming key differentiators for young professionals in a competitive job market.
Dr Anita Patankar said that emotional intelligence and teamwork will remain crucial skills even as technology advances. She noted that the most successful individuals are not always the most academically outstanding, but those who can collaborate effectively, adapt to change, communicate well, and remain valuable in evolving environments.
Syed Fahad encouraged students to stay flexible and committed to continuous growth, advising them not to confine themselves to a single role or narrow definition of success. He added that the future will belong to those who keep learning, adapting, and developing skills that make them indispensable.
