Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination has concluded a memorandum of understanding with the "Elite Agro Emirates" company, one of the leading national companies in the field of agricultural investment and the production and marketing of fresh fruits and vegetables in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The memorandum aims to strengthen cooperation between the organisation and the company toward inclusion of the organisation’s affiliated people of determination in the agriculture labor market. Agriculture through the "My Opportunity" initiative, an initiative that supports partnerships between government and private entities, toward the attainment of labor market inclusion for people of determination and the creation of equal opportunity employment.
The memorandum of understanding was signed on behalf of Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination by His Excellency Abdullah Abdulalee Al Humaidan, Secretary General of the organisation, and on behalf of the "Elite Agro Emirates" company by Mr. Zafer Rashid Al Qasimi, the company’s General Manager. The signing ceremony was attended by the higher management of Zayed Higher Organisation.
According to the memorandum, and as part of the "My Opportunity" initiative, "Elite Agro" will provide practical training opportunities in agricultural work for people of determination affiliated with Zayed Higher Organisation for a period of six months. The company will provide plots of land on its own farms for this purpose, with the aim of offering employment to trainees on these plots. The organisation’s Agricultural and Vocational Rehabilitation Department will assist, with support from other departments where required, in selecting the agreed number of people of determination to participate in the program.
ZHO ... seeks to reach new horizons and build bridges of cooperation and communication with all sectors toward the social inclusion of people of determination
Abdullah Al Humaidan، Secretary General of Zayed Higher Organization
His Excellency Abdullah Al Humaidan, Secretary General of Zayed Higher Organisation, welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, saying: “Elite Agro Emirates is a well-established and reputable company in the field of agricultural investment and has extensive experience in managing farms, whether traditional or those based on modern agricultural systems. Zayed Higher Organisation is therefore very optimistic with regards to our future cooperation with the company in agricultural projects and particularly in the strengthening of efforts to attain empowerment and inclusion for the organisation’s people of determination”.
He stressed that Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination, under the follow-up and supervision of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Directors, seeks to reach new horizons and build bridges of cooperation and communication with all sectors toward the social inclusion of people of determination. He also mentioned the wealth of knowledge and experience in the fields of agriculture, agriculture research and development and agricultural produce, which the organisation will have access to in collaborating with Elite Agro, as part of the MOU indicating that the memorandum will allow the institution to benefit from the ancient experiences in Elite Agro.
His Excellency Abdullah Al Humaidan stated that this step, undertaken by Zayed Higher Organisation management, comes within the framework of the organisation’s development as we seek to extend our focus beyond our provision of programs, care, rehabilitation and treatment services to our affiliated people of determination, shifting focus toward the establishment of strategic partnerships with specialist entities to provide appropriate programs and training courses for people of determination, toward securing their empowerment and social inclusion.
Mr. Dhafer Al Qasimi said: “We are proud of “Elite Agro Emirates” for our pioneering partnerships with local community organisations and government entities. Our community contributions to enhance national plans and programs aimed at improving the quality of life for society as a whole, a key element of which is rehabilitating and empowering people of determination and providing them with the expertise and skills necessary for their inclusion in the labor market, establishing a safe working environment for them in the agricultural field and providing them with suitable opportunities in relation to their individual capabilities and skills, highlighting their role as active and productive individuals in society”.
Al-Qasimi confirmed that the company will work within the framework of the "My Opportunity" initiative to organize an integrated set of training courses and practical applications on the farm for the individuals participating in the initiative, to best prepare them to work professionally and effectively in the field, taking into account all their requirements and needs, alongside the legal requirements and guidelines to employ people of determination. The company serves as a model in empowering this important group of society, underlining the importance of this initiative in overcoming some of the many challenges facing people of determination, while creating broader horizons and sustainable solutions to invest in the development and operation of qualified and competent national employees, including people of determination.
Our community contributions to enhance national plans and programs aimed at improving the quality of life for society as a whole, a key element of which is rehabilitating and empowering people of determination
Dhafer Al Qasimi، Elite Agro Emirates
Nasser Mohammad Al Ahbabi, Head of the Agricultural Rehabilitation Department at the Zayed Center for Agricultural and Vocational Rehabilitation at the Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination, said that before the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, a visit was organized to the Al Foah Farm of the "Elite Agro" company for the families and guardians of the people of determination who are nominated to join the training program. The visit allowed families and guardians to see the farm and the company’s training facilities and allowed them to ensure that all precautionary measures and safety protocols are in place to ensure the health and safety of trainees.
He described the visit as hugely successful, gaining the approval and support of all parents, stressing that Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination is looking forward to expanding cooperation with the "Elite Agro Emirates" company in the future to allow an increased number of people of determination to join the training program toward securing employment in the agriculture field with the company.
The parents of the students who participated in the visit accompanied by their children, to the company's farm, thanked Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination, its educational and administrative staff, and the organisation’s trainers for their initiatives and distinguished efforts in supporting their children to integrate into society. They also thanked those who organized the visit, as well as those involved in equipping the facilities to ensure the highest standards of safety for their children, facilitating their training and potential employment on the farm.