Abu Dhabi: Emirati students from higher education institutions in the country will get employment with UK industries, thanks to a new initiative, a senior official told Gulf News.

As a part of the initiative, a roundtable event with 25 senior representatives of leading UK organisations and senior UAE representatives was held at CERT college of Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

In his keynote address, Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific research, highlighted the need of an employment information exchange mechanism readily available for students. "There must be a strong relationship between education and employment".

He suggested students must leave colleges with well-defined practical skills and awareness on various occupations.

The week-long series of high-level contact activities will open the doors of employment for Emirati students with UK industries, a senior official of Middle East Association (MEA), a major partner of the initiative, told Gulf News.

"About 70 percent of the UK trade with Middle East is done by our members, so we can easily facilitate it", said Michael Thomas, Director General of Middle East Association, a non profit organisation promoting trade between UK and Middle East.

The British Council told Gulf News it will encourage Higher Educational Institutions in UK to build partnership with UAE institutions. "UAE students will be able to visit UK institutions, as part of the initiative", said Paul Sellers, UAE director of British Council.

Edward Oakden , British Ambassador who spoke on the occasion recalled the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan's vision to give priority for education.

The high level contact activities focusing on 'Education for Employability' ,started on Sunday will run till 13 March . It includes two roundtable meetings, a series of contact events with vocational education and training institutions from the UAE and UK, and a programme of further education events for employers and students in the UAE.

The roundtable events included the participation by 25 senior representatives of leading UK organisations and 16 UK further education colleges, led by the Middle East Association in partnership with the Higher Colleges of Technology, with the support of the British Council, the UK's Department for innovation, Universities and Skills, and UK Trade and Investment.