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Most graduates in Capital are employed

Abu Dhabi - Eighty seven per cent of Abu Dhabi graduates claimed to be satisfied with the teaching in their institution.

A whopping 70 per cent of graduates in subject areas such as engineering in Abu Dhabi are employed, followed by an increasing 67 per cent employment rate in health and welfare subject areas, according to data released from Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec).
Participants in the survey included 6,163 graduates who studied in one of the 22 higher education institutions located in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region. This number represents 64 per cent of the total number of the graduates in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, out of which 34 per cent are Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (Stem) graduates.
The fourth annual GDS reveals that 58 per cent of information technology graduates find immediate employment, while 46 per cent of science-related subject students find immediate employment.
Dr Mohammed Yousif Baniyas, Adec's Higher Education Executive Director, said the findings from this year's GDS clearly demonstrate the value of students focusing on Stem.
"The data the survey provides shows the evolving nature of Abu Dhabi's higher education sector, with more youth choosing to pursue Stem related disciplines and careers, an optimistic trend that is in line with Adec's mission to meet the Abu Dhabi 2030 vision through graduating a competent, knowledgeable workforce of youth who can effectively contribute to the economy."
The first GDS was conducted in 2014 with a participation rate of 51 per cent, added Adec's Higher Education expert.
Eighty seven per cent of Abu Dhabi graduates claimed to be satisfied with the teaching in their institution, while 95 per cent of graduates feel that due to the type of education they received in their universities, they have become much more confident to work in a team, with evident improvement in their reading, writing and critical thinking skills.
"The increasing participation in this survey is important as the data that the study provides is vital for institutions and Adec to address the employment needs of the Emirate," added Dr Baniyas.  
The GDS is benchmarked against international frameworks after a review of similar surveys in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and Europe. Employment data is collected from graduates nine months after their graduation. 
Mohamad Mashaat, father of two, told Khaleej Times that his prime focus for his children is to ensure they achieve their best in mathematics and science, highlighting that it is a future investment.
"I do believe those who graduate as engineers, scientists and those in the healthcare industry, have it easier on them when it comes to finding employment quickly."
"I'm lucky my kids actually love these subjects."
However, he pointed out that parents should also allow their children to choose what they want to pursue in life.
"It's important to allow your child to follow the subjects that he or she enjoys most, because if they love what they do, then they will succeed."
- jasmine@khaleejtimes.com