Dubai Knowledge Park (DKP), a member of TECOM Group, hosted human resource talks and panel discussions at the HR Summit & Expo (HRSE) 2019, aimed at addressing the needs of the region’s talent pool and developing human capital.

The latest edition of one of the largest events dedicated to HR in the Middle East ran from 4 to 6 November at Dubai World Trade Centre.

DKP held three panel discussions and two talks that focused on ways for HR professionals to attract and retain world-class talent to accelerate business growth. The sessions were part of DKP’s commitment to creating platforms where partners and industry players can connect, exchange knowledge and grow.

Mohammad Abdullah, Managing Director of DKP, said: “Companies have long regarded the UAE as a gateway to the Middle East due to its business-friendly regulations and advanced infrastructure. Today, the country has emerged as an HR hub that focuses on capacity-building and spearheads the shift towards a knowledge-based economy. In line with these trends, DKP is committed to supporting and growing the local HR industry and increasing the size of the talent pool.

“HRSE convenes industry stakeholders to discuss the challenges they face from an HR perspective. In line with our commitment to supporting the growth of the local HR sector, we are pleased to participate in this year’s event that provides us with a perfect opportunity to engage in dialogue on various topical priorities and share best practices.”

Talib Al Hashimi, Managing Director of TBH, moderated the first panel discussion, ‘Attracting UAE Talent in the Workplace’. Emiratisation has become a top priority in the UAE, with the government implementing multiple initiatives to unlock the potential of its young citizens and encourage them to embark on careers in the private sector. Bridget Connolly, Senior Business Manager Emiratization at Hays, noted that Emiratisation is heading in the right direction, and observed that private and public sector jobs are becoming more aligned. Mohamed Farid Abdelfattah, Managing Director of SHL Middle East and Africa, emphasised the importance of looking for potential in candidates as opposed to their current performance.

In the next panel discussion, ‘The Art of Attracting New Talent’, David Jones, CEO of The Talent Enterprise, Cedric d’Halluin, Regional Manager at SpenglerFox, and Nilima Shashank Vengsarkar, Head of the Workplace Department at the Al Noor Training Centre, highlighted the attractiveness of the UAE as a talent hub, citing factors such as safety, high salaries and the abundance of employment prospects. Vengsarkar added that the country is committed to empowering people of determination, protecting their rights, and opening opportunities for them, especially with Expo 2020 fast approaching.

Dhrupad Mathur, Deputy Director of Faculty Management at SP Jain School of Global Management, moderated the ‘Nurturing Future Leaders of the Business’ panel discussion. Panellists included Natalie Sleiman, Head of Technology Practice Middle East at Stanton Chase, and Jonathan Rook, Director of Sova Middle East. The experts discussed how the UAE’s visionary leadership has turned the nation into a land of opportunities and a fertile learning ground. They talked about the impact of technology and the need to harness it to foster leadership among the young generation. The participants agreed that future leaders must consider three factors for their businesses: investing in talent acquisition, promoting mentorship and coaching, and encouraging design thinking and other skills that are relevant today.

Radhika Punshi, Managing Director of The Talent Enterprise, gave a talk on ‘The Paradox of Identifying High-potential Talent: Separating Fact from Fiction’, while Bradley Boyson, Executive Director of SHRM MEA, also a DKP business partner, shared insights on ‘Behavioural Sciences and Learning’.

According to the study ‘Emerging HR Hubs – Regional Trends in Internationalisation and HR Mobility’, conducted by DKP in 2017, the UAE tops the list of emerging HR hubs by an overwhelming margin, outranking established markets such as Singapore and Malaysia, and is considered to have innovative HR practices. Events such as HRSE help enrich the HR ecosystem through providing an ideal platform for the community to exchange insights on the latest trends in the world of work, driven by technological progress and evolving organisational needs.