Prepared by: Benoi Nair

Photographer: Sultan Almarzooqi

Dubai, UAE:

Union Coop, the largest consumer cooperative in the UAE and Emirates Talent Association, signed a Memorandum Of Understanding, stating the sponsorship of ‘Programming Language’, one of the stages of ‘Local Programmer’ Initiative of the association and additionally enhancing the cooperation and strategic partnership between the two entities. This move comes within the framework of Union Coop’s support to the activities and activations of non-profitable organization in the country.

Memorandum was signed by His Excellency Lt General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Dubai Police and Head of General Security in Dubai, Chairman of the Emirates Talent Association and His Excellency Majid Hamad Rahma Al Shamsi, Chairman of Union Coop, in the presence of H.E. Khalid Humaid Bin Diban Al Falasi, CEO of Union Coop, Dr. Suhail Al Bastaki, Director of Happiness and Marketing Department, Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Deputy Chairman of the Emirates Talent Association,Union Coop and Ms. Huda Salem, Communications and Social Service Section Manager-Union Coop and numerous officials from both sides.

On the occasion of signing, H.E. Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim said: “The primary aim of the initiative is to encourage and attract Emarati talented people, improve their skills and knowledge of programming and information technology, and to promote the Gulf and Arab and Global market with upscale programers in terms of knowledge, culture and science. This program has been designed exclusively to provide UAE technological market with Emarati programers to achieve UAE vision 2071 adopted by our wise government under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to reach number one in all the fields.

He further “praised the support provided by Union Coop as a National entity that contributes significantly to the national strategic goals of developing and refining the creative skills of the gifted sons of the nation“. He further states that “Union Coop has distinctive essense of initiative compared to other entities through its approach of searching for community initiatives and projects, implemented by the public sector to adopt, support and achieve its objectives”. He points out that “shopping from Union Coop, directly and indirectly, contributes to the community wellbeing, as they spend millions of dirhams through their community social responsibility projects”.

HE Majid Hamad Rahma Al Shamsi, Chairman of Union Coop said: “ The sponsorship of ‘Programming Language’, which is one of the stages of ‘Local Programmer’ stems from our understanding of the importance of programming, information technology and security. Programs such as these are a key tool that helps us understand and stay ahead of the accelerating global technological breakthroughs and helps us occupy a dominating position in the virtual world.”

Al Shamsi highlights the fact that “security of information is equivalent to national and food security, which is why Union Coop is more than keen to be a part of such great initiative by the Emirates Talent Association”.