As the UAE prepares for the launch of Etihad Rail's passenger services, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Dubai has shared its perspective on how improved inter-emirate connectivity could reshape employment opportunities for students and fresh graduates across the country.
Featured in a recent Gulf News article exploring how Etihad Rail could transform work and hiring across the UAE, Dr. Roma Raina, Head – Corporate Alliances & Partnerships at MAHE Dubai, highlighted the significant impact that better connectivity can have on graduate employability and career accessibility.
Speaking from a higher education perspective, Dr. Roma Raina noted that long commute times and travel costs often discourage students from pursuing internships and entry-level opportunities, particularly when balancing academic commitments with professional experience.
"Long commutes and heavy traffic can make it difficult to balance professional and academic commitments. We have seen students turn down good opportunities simply because the daily commute was not practical, particularly for internships and entry-level roles where the salary or stipend does not justify the travel time and cost," she shared.
The feature examines how Etihad Rail could expand the country's talent pool by making cross-emirate commuting faster, more predictable, and more convenient, enabling employers to access a broader workforce while allowing candidates to explore opportunities beyond their immediate location.
For MAHE Dubai, the discussion reinforces the importance of creating stronger pathways between education and employment. Improved national connectivity has the potential to make internships, graduate roles, and industry collaborations more accessible, helping students gain valuable workplace experience while supporting employers in attracting talent from across the UAE.
Click here to read more: https://gulfnews.com/uae/how-etihad-rail-could-change-work-and-hiring-across-the-uae-from-too-far-to-easy-enough-say-hr-experts-1.500589978
