ADM NEWS | The launch of the programme coincides with a period of rapid growth in Abu Dhabi’s social care sector, marked by an increasing number of service providers, a broader range of services, and rising demand for qualified social and psychological professionals.
However, the supply of specialised national talent remains limited, underscoring the need for targeted interventions. Therefore, the programme seeks to address this gap by creating clear education and career pathways that support the long-term sustainability of the emirate’s social care system.
The programme targets Emirati students seeking to pursue key social and psychological disciplines, offering scholarships at both undergraduate and master’s levels through approved, well-established pathways at leading international universities.
This approach strengthens the appeal of these fields and reinforces their significance as sustainable career pathways with lasting social value. At the bachelor’s level, the programme focuses on social work and psychology streams.
At the master’s level, for those without employment, it includes family counselling, social work, psychology, counselling psychology, and psychotherapy. One of the pathways will be introduced this year on a pilot basis under the approved scholarship system.
Mubarak Salem Al Ameri, Executive Director of the Licensing and Social Control Sector at DCD, said: “This programme represents a strategic investment in people and reflects the department’s vision to build a sustainable social care system led by highly qualified national professionals capable of responding effectively to evolving social needs.
“By enabling Emirati youth to pursue specialised social disciplines at leading international universities, we are reinforcing a development model based on prevention, empowerment, and long-term impact, while contributing to enhanced social wellbeing and quality of life across the emirate of Abu Dhabi.” Dr Ahmed Sultan Al Shuaibi, Executive Director of the Talent Enablement Sector at ADEK, said: “This partnership reflects the value of working with an entity such as DCD to help reinforce a multi-agency commitment to empowering Emirati students through an integrated approach that spans both academic guidance and professional development.
By aligning the Abu Dhabi Scholarships Programme with the needs of key sectors, DCD and ADEK are advancing their shared goals of strengthening family stability and ensuring national talent is well prepared to fulfil its social and professional roles over the long term.
Mahasen Alhosani, Director of the Social Standards Division at DCD, explained that the programme has also been designed to align directly with the evolving needs of the social sector, by providing beneficiaries with clear educational pathways and sustainable career opportunities.
She added that the programme targets a select group of outstanding Emirati students who will be selected to pursue priority social and psychological disciplines. Beneficiaries will receive comprehensive support, including full tuition coverage, practical training opportunities, as well as professional guidance and mentoring.
This integrated approach ensures that graduates are well prepared to enter the licensing system and contribute to the social care sector in line with approved regulatory frameworks. The programme primarily targets secondary school students, recent graduates, as well as parents and academic counsellors.
Its core message emphasises that a career in social care is not merely a job, but a meaningful profession that can create lasting and positive Impact.
