Urban design students at UAE University will get the chance to work on some of Abu Dhabi's biggest planning projects, under the terms of an agreement announced yesterday.

The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, UPC, and UAE University, UAEU, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation, MoC, to strengthen collaboration in scientific research, and to set up a training programme for students at the university to enhance the skills of young local talent.

Under the agreement, UPC will provide five annual internship opportunities for students, as well as the chance to work on some of its key planning projects. Thirty UAEU students have previously been placed at the UPC as interns, and a number have gone on to secure permanent employment at the UPC after graduating.

The MoC will also see the UPC's regulations and suite of planning manuals included in the curriculum of the Geography and Urban Planning, Planning and Urban Design and Architectural Engineering courses.

UAE University students may also be requested by the UPC to undertake scientific research projects related to urban planning, which will be hugely beneficial to both parties.

The MoC was signed by recently Falah Al Ahbabi, Director-General of the UPC, and Dr. Ali Rashid Al Noaimi, Vice Chancellor of UAE University, and target and timeline-setting for implementation is now underway.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Al Ahbabi said, "This MoC is a reflection of the UPC's interest in supporting the creation of a strong local workforce to ensure the right skillsets are available as well as sharing knowledge to nurture creativity and innovation in our young generation. In doing so, we will enable these students to embark on a career in urban planning to support the realisation of Vision 2030."

Also commenting was Dr. Al Noaimi who said, "This initiative unveils new horizons to our students, and gives them the opportunity to be introduced to the UPC's regulations, manuals and best practice urban planning processes."
Source: WAM