Pearl Initiative, the Private Sector-led organisation developed in partnership with the United Nations Office for Partnerships, promoting transparency, good governance and corporate social responsibility in the Arab World, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT) - the commercial division of the Higher Colleges of Technology with a mandate to develop the human resources of the UAE.

The MoU was signed at the CEO Summit on Ethical Leadership, by and between His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nayahan, Chairman of the Board of CERT and the UAE's Minister of Higher Education & Scientific Research, and Badr Jafar, Co-Founder of the Pearl Initiative.

The partnership between Pearl Initiative and CERT reflects the two parties' desire "to work together to create a culture of greater transparency and accountability within the Arabian Gulf Region, to positive impact the business environment and foster competitive economic growth and sustainable social development."

Badr Jafar, Co-Founder of the Pearl Initiative, said "The HCT has emerged as an exemplary educational institution responsible for developing the minds and ethical outlook of the next generations of leaders within our Region. By partnering with the Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training, we will work together to foster a culture of transparency and accountability, ensuring these principles can take root and flourish within our educational institutions.".

Dr. Tayeb Kamali, Group Chief Executive of the CERT Group of Companies and Vice Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology said: "This agreement is an excellent example of the strong collaborations between the HCT, CERT and industry partners, such as the Pearl Initiative, to fulfill their respective mandates to offer career-oriented academic and training programs to meet the specific needs of our nation, so that HCT students can become valuable members of their communities."

The Higher Colleges of Technology is the largest institution of higher learning in the UAE with over 19,000 students, and CERT, its commercial arm, exists for developing and providing education, training and applied technology for public and private sector clients, hosting several international institutions such as the Wharton Centre for Family Business and Entrepreneurship Research for the Middle East, and the University of Waterloo, Canada, which offers dual degrees in collaboration with HCT through CERT.

The substance of the MoU contains concrete agreement between the two parties to Explore opportunities to engage HCT students in programs that inculcate and nurture ethical leadership skills; Design, develop and offer training programs to the business community addressing critical areas of transparency, accountability and corporate governance; Provide professional development opportunities to HCT students across various Pearl Initiative programs in the UAE; and Organise conferences and periodic joint seminars and workshops on corporate governance.