Programme launched ahead of the Ru’Ya Careers Fair

Dubai, UAE: Majid Al Futtaim, a leading shopping mall, communities, retail, and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, launched the Aaouda Returnship Programme with the aim of encouraging female UAE Nationals back into the workplace after extended career breaks.  

A milestone in Majid Al Futtaim’s commitment to empowering women in the private sector, the Aaouda Returnship Programme will provide Emirati women the foundation, guidance and flexibility needed to achieve their career aspirations while maintaining their personal responsibilities. The programme aims to create career opportunities tailored to support those who would like to re-enter the workforce after an extended career break and is in line with Majid Al Futtaim's collaboration with the UAE’s NAFIS Programme, which focuses on efforts to bring more UAE Nationals into private sector roles.   

Viviana Alberu, Chief Human Capital Office at Majid Al Futtaim – Holding, commented: “As a proud Emirati company, Majid Al Futtaim’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion and creating meaningful career opportunities for local talent has been a constant throughout its history. Today, that commitment has enabled Majid Al Futtaim to reach 11% Emiratisation across the Group, of which, 70% are women working at every level of the organisation. In support of the UAE’s mission to increase Emirati representation in the private sector and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s NAFIS goals, we are delighted to launch our Aaouda Returnship Programme, further empowering Emirati women by equipping them with the essential skills, knowledge, and practical experience needed to confidently re-enter the workforce.”  

The Aaouda programme consists of a structured six-part schedule that includes intensive skill development workshops, hands-on rotational assignments across key functions such as human capital marketing, finance, and information technology, as well as access to personalised mentorship and networking opportunities. Additionally, participants will benefit from ongoing support in technology upskilling and soft skills enhancement, ensuring they are well-prepared to navigate the evolving workplace.  

Representatives of Majid Al Futtaim will be at the Ru’ya careers fair later this month, in a bid to connect with UAE Nationals that are interested in pursuing a career in the private sector. Anyone interested in hearing more about the Aaouda Returnship Programme, or other opportunities within Majid Al Futtaim, are encouraged to stop by stand Z4-2, Hall N•4 to discuss further. 

​​​​​​​About Majid Al Futtaim 

Founded in 1992, Majid Al Futtaim is an Emirati-owned, diversified lifestyle conglomerate operating across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The Group started from one man’s vision to transform the face of shopping, entertainment, and leisure to ‘create great moments for everyone, every day’. It has since grown into one of the region’s most respected businesses, employing more than 43,000 people, with owned assets valued at US$19 billion and has the highest credit rating (BBB) among privately held corporates in the region. Majid Al Futtaim owns and operates 29 shopping malls, seven hotels and five mixed-use communities, welcoming more than 600 million customers through its doors every year.  

Majid Al Futtaim operates more than 600 VOX Cinemas screens as well as a portfolio of world-class leisure and entertainment experiences across the region including four indoor ski locations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Cairo and Oman as well as family entertainment centres Magic Planet and Little Explorers. It is the proud owner of the flagship Mall of the Emirates, Mall of Egypt, and Mall of Oman with the iconic City Centre shopping malls rounding out its portfolio across the region. The Group partners with world-class fashion, home, and beauty retail brands with over 70 stores across the GCC, including lululemon, LEGO, Crate and Barrel, Shiseido and THAT, a Majid Al Futtaim multi-brand concept store and app. It is also the exclusive franchisee for Carrefour across markets in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, serving 770,000 customers daily. These offerings are powered by the UAE’s fastest growing loyalty programme SHARE, which offers customers a more personalised and data driven experience. The developer of choice for the region, Majid Al Futtaim is the creator of mixed-use communities including Ghaf Woods and Tilal Al Ghaf in Dubai and Al Mouj in Muscat.  

 Majid Al Futtaim has continued to set the standard for sustainable growth through its Dare Today, Change Tomorrow sustainability strategy. The Group is committed to becoming Net Positive in water and carbon by 2040.