The initiative responds to a shortage of specialised national talent, despite an expanding number of service providers and rising demand for social care services
Abu Dhabi has launched international scholarships for Emirati students pursuing social work and psychology, as demand for qualified professionals in the social care sector continues to grow.
The Department of Community Development (DCD), in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), announced the programme targeting undergraduate and postgraduate studies at leading international universities.
The initiative responds to a shortage of specialised national talent, despite an expanding number of service providers and rising demand for social care services.
“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,” Mubarak Salem Al Ameri, Executive Director of the Licensing and Social Control Sector at DCD said.
The scholarships cover bachelor’s degrees in social work and psychology, as well as master’s programmes in areas such as family counselling, counselling psychology and psychotherapy. One pathway will launch this year on a pilot basis, with the first cohort of master’s students expected to begin in 2026.
The move comes as the UAE continues to expand its social development framework. A Ministry of Family was established in December 2024, with a strategy focusing on supporting families and vulnerable groups between 2025 and 2027.
At present, there are 382 licensed social care professionals across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, according to available data, highlighting the gap between workforce supply and sector needs.
The programme also aims to encourage more Emiratis to enter social care professions, which have traditionally relied heavily on expatriate workers.
Research indicates that most licensed professionals in the sector are non-nationals; as this initiative rolls out, more citizens are expected to partake in the field.
“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,” Al Ameri said.
Dr Ahmed Sultan Al Shuaibi, Executive Director of the Talent Enablement Sector at ADEK, said the partnership reflects a coordinated approach to developing national talent.
“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,” he said.
The initiative comes at a time of growing interest in higher education generally in the country too. In the 2024–2025 academic year, 57,035 new students enrolled in UAE higher education institutions, marking a 13 per cent increase and the highest intake in a decade. Emirati student enrolment in Dubai alone rose by 22 per cent.
Beyond tuition, the scholarship programme includes training opportunities, mentoring and career guidance, with the aim of ensuring graduates transition into licensed roles within the sector.
Mahasen Alhosani, Director of the Social Standards Division at DCD, said the programme will target outstanding Emirati students in priority disciplines, with support designed to prepare them for professional practice in line with regulatory requirements.
The scholarships are primarily aimed at secondary school students and recent graduates, positioning social care as a viable career path with long-term impact.
Officials said the programme forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the emirate’s capacity to support families and communities through a locally trained workforce.
© Khaleej Times
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