Innovation City, the UAE’s leading AI-driven free zone, has officially kicked off its inaugural Summer Internship Programme in Ras Al Khaimah. By integrating 36 students from the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) into active, hands-on roles, the initiative aims to tackle the persistent skills shortage that plagues nearly 40 percent of local businesses. Participants spanning fields such as AI, computer science, business, and mass communication are spending their summer working on genuine projects, moving far beyond mere shadowing to gain practical experience within one of the region’s most fast-paced innovation hubs.

The partnership serves as a comprehensive bridge between academia and the professional world, designed to support students from their initial internship through to long-term career placement or even business incubation. CEO Paul Dawalibi emphasized that this is a strategic move to build a sustainable talent pipeline, ensuring that graduates enter the workforce with the specific skills companies desperately need. With official certifications provided upon completion, both Innovation City and AURAK are fostering a culture of experiential learning that empowers the next generation of professionals to meet the evolving demands of the UAE’s future economy.