10-May-2009H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) and Mohammed Khalaf Mazroui, Chairman of United Printing and Publishing (UPP) have signed an agreement to develop and offer a certificate in Work Readiness program (WRP) in Printing and Packaging, a Diploma in Printing and Packaging and a Diploma in Printing Management (Printing Maintenance).
The ‘HCT Print Media Academy’ will be the first-of-its-kind in the Gulf region wherein students who graduate will take up prime positions in the UAE’s printing and graphic communications industries.
Dr. Tayeb Kamali, Vice Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, said, “We are committed to training our future leaders with the skills employers seek to ensure that they find productive and meaningful employment. We are extremely proud to partner with United Printing and Publishing to provide our students with opportunities to develop skills and careers in the printing and publishing sector.”
Ali Saif Al Neaimi, General Manager, United Printing & Publishing, said, “Our vision is to educate, train and prepare a set of pupils, especially from within the Arab region, who can be professional and competent leaders in the printing, publishing and graphic communications industries.”
He added, “We also aim to develop the human resources sector of the UAE and develop a strong national workforce, in addition to introducing innovative technologies to the UAE and the GCC region.”
Commenting on this partnership, Mohamed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Media Company, said, “We are proud of this strategic partnership, which falls within Abu Dhabi Media Company’s commitment to support the local talents and create a talent training opportunities. Abu Dhabi Media Company remains committed towards the youth and to hold up the media infrastructure in the UAE.”
The ‘Print Minor’ programme is an extensive print programme that combines professional graphic communications with specialist skills required for different print applications. Students would be trained to acquire both theoretical and hands-on practical proficiency. The syllabus will include comprehensive practical and theoretical training on the operations of pre-press, press and post press, fundamentals of costing, estimating and accountancy in print, industry exposure and fulfilling client briefs, and print business management and control.
“Students in this programme will have the best possible preparation for a hands-on role in a real time printing press environment and will be able to enter their first job with confidence, whether they are going to join a large printing press or intend to start their own printing press,” said Al Neaimi.
The UAE has become the regional hub for the publishing, printing and advertising industries, and is one of the largest single-share businesses to be generated in this sector in the Middle East by 2008. The UAE alone has over 375 printing presses converting commercial, newspaper, packaging and other quick print solutions.
Studies show that the UAE printing industry will attain a 15-20 per cent growth over the next three years as indicated by elevated newspaper circulation and print advertising spending.
