The Abu Dhabi Global Market Academy (ADGMA) has graduated the first cohort of its “3D Printing Entrepreneurs” program, equipping 50 Emirati job seekers with skills in advanced manufacturing and business development. The initiative was run in partnership with the “Mawaheb” Center, Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, and Sandan Company, aiming to build a talent pipeline for the UAE’s future economic goals.
Quick Facts
- 50 Emirati nationals graduated from the first cohort.
- The intensive program spanned a three-week period.
- Graduates presented working prototypes at a Demo Day.
From Concept to Prototype
The program culminated in a “Demo Day” held in Al Ain, where the 50 participants showcased locally designed and manufactured innovations and prototypes created during the training. The event featured keynotes and a certificate ceremony attended by executive leaders and industry experts.
Graduates presented complete prototypes, validated business concepts, and market-ready commercial ideas, demonstrating the program’s success in fostering an entrepreneurial mindset. The curriculum provided specialized training in developing business strategies, creating investment pitches, and the fundamentals of advanced manufacturing. Participants also gained practical experience in material selection, design, modeling, and using 3D printing technologies to transform ideas into tangible projects.
Building an Advanced Manufacturing Talent Pool
The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development played a key role by providing specialized entrepreneurship workshops for the cohort. These sessions were hosted at Mizn Hub Al Ain, the Fund’s entrepreneurship center that supports Emirati founders with co-working spaces, training, mentorship, and partnership opportunities.
Dr. Abdullah Al Shimmari, Executive Director of the National Talent Empowerment Sector and Mawaheb Center, commented on the program’s impact. “When a job seeker leaves this program with a ready prototype, a proven business concept, and the confidence to build a new integrated project, they become not just employable, but empowered and capable of creating their own future,” he stated. “The graduates we celebrate today will contribute to building Abu Dhabi’s industrial economy for the next generation.”
Ali Al Mheiri, Senior Executive Director of Business Enablement at ADGM Academy, added, “By combining advanced manufacturing capabilities with entrepreneurial training, we are helping to prepare a new generation of creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs who can actively contribute to supporting the UAE’s industrial and knowledge-based economy. This initiative also aims to highlight the growing role of Al Ain as a promising center for innovation and economic diversification.”
About Abu Dhabi Global Market Academy
Abu Dhabi Global Market Academy (ADGMA) is the educational arm of Abu Dhabi Global Market. It focuses on driving financial education and literacy in Abu Dhabi and across the MENA region. The academy offers a wide range of programs and initiatives designed to develop a sustainable pool of talent and support the growth of a knowledge-based economy.
Source: Al Bayan
