New real estate diploma aims to strengthen national workforce in Dubai property sector
Two-year accredited programme links academic learning with real market practice
DUBAI – The Dubai Land Department (DLD) has launched the ‘Real Estate Diploma’ in partnership with the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), marking a significant step towards developing specialised national talent for the UAE’s fast-growing real estate sector.
The initiative is designed to equip Emiratis with both academic knowledge and practical skills, enabling them to enter the market with strong professional foundations. The programme reflects a joint commitment to human capital development and to supporting the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of Dubai’s property sector.
The diploma has been introduced through a strategic collaboration that combines DLD’s practical expertise with HCT’s applied academic approach. Together, the two institutions aim to deliver an accredited professional qualification that responds directly to the evolving needs of the real estate market. By integrating theory with hands-on experience, the programme seeks to prepare participants to meet current industry demands while remaining adaptable to future changes.
Real Estate Diploma
The Real Estate Diploma is a two-year programme comprising 90 accredited hours and is designed to enrol 40 participants per cohort. Its curriculum covers a wide range of specialised disciplines, including property management, real estate valuation and appraisal, brokerage operations, and professional engagement with property owners and tenants. It also focuses on promoting real estate services, ensuring that graduates possess a broad understanding of market operations and customer relations.
The programme is structured to enhance participants’ readiness for the labour market, providing them with the confidence and competence required to operate effectively in professional environments. By focusing on applied learning, the diploma aims to bridge the gap between academic instruction and real-world practice, a key priority for both DLD and HCT.
Industry partnerships
Alongside the launch of the diploma, DLD signed cooperation agreements with several of the UAE’s leading real estate developers, including Emaar Properties, Sobha Realty, Aldar Properties, Omniyat Developments, Azizi Developments, Danube Properties, and Ellington Properties. These partnerships are intended to support the programme through practical training opportunities and the transfer of professional expertise.
The agreements are designed to align educational outcomes with labour market requirements, ensuring that graduates are equipped with skills relevant to current industry needs. By engaging major developers directly in the training process, the programme aims to facilitate smoother integration of Emirati talent into the real estate sector while strengthening links between education providers and industry stakeholders.
Sector performance
Speaking at the launch, Omar Hamad Bu Shehab, Director General of the Dubai Land Department, emphasised that investment in people remains central to the strength of the real estate sector. He noted that workforce competence plays a crucial role in sustaining growth and that providing ambitious talent with clear development pathways is essential for long-term success.
He highlighted the strong performance of Dubai’s real estate market, stating that the value of real estate transactions in 2025 surpassed Dh917 billion. This milestone, he said, reflects the market’s resilience, clarity of vision, and alignment with the objectives of the Dubai Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033. The strong market environment, he added, underscores the importance of preparing qualified national professionals capable of contributing effectively to the sector’s continued expansion.
Emirati empowerment
Bu Shehab also pointed to DLD’s broader efforts to empower national talent through targeted initiatives. Since the launch of the Real Estate Empowerment programme in 2024, the department has contributed to the employment of 1,800 Emiratis within the real estate sector. These efforts have also strengthened the presence of Emiratis in the brokerage ecosystem, which currently includes 2,028 Emirati brokers, among them 426 women.
He said these figures reflect DLD’s commitment to building an inclusive, human-centric, and sustainable real estate sector that enhances Dubai’s competitiveness. The Real Estate Diploma, he added, forms part of a practical approach to developing professionals who are prepared to navigate market realities and transformations with responsibility and a clear future vision.
Bu Shehab noted that the partnership with HCT reinforces DLD’s focus on applied learning pathways and on building practical expertise that supports professional stability and excellence. The diploma, he said, is designed to prepare participants not only with technical knowledge but also with the professional mindset required to succeed in a dynamic market environment.
Academic alignment
Dr Faisal Al Ayyan, President and CEO of the Higher Colleges of Technology, said the partnership with DLD reflects HCT’s strategic direction of building strong ties with industry and labour market stakeholders. He explained that such collaborations support national development plans by ensuring that educational programmes are aligned with current and future sector needs.
He noted that the introduction of the Real Estate Diploma demonstrates the success of HCT’s comprehensive approach, which aims to diversify educational options by offering professional diploma tracks alongside academic pathways. According to Dr Al Ayyan, labour market requirements are increasingly focused on applied and technological skills rather than being limited to traditional academic degrees.
Dr Al Ayyan highlighted the importance of the diploma in the context of the UAE’s real estate sector, describing it as a vital and investment-attractive industry supported by stability, advanced infrastructure, and enabling government policies. He said preparing national talent to work professionally in this field would contribute to enhanced excellence, competitiveness, and overall sector development.
He also expressed appreciation for DLD’s confidence in HCT as a leading institution in applied education and in empowering graduates for the future. He encouraged young people, particularly those with an interest in real estate, to take advantage of the programme as a pathway to both academic and professional advancement.
Career pathways
The Real Estate Diploma is aimed at individuals seeking to advance their professional careers within the property sector by gaining a deeper understanding of market dynamics and transformations. The programme equips participants with practical tools and knowledge to contribute effectively to sector development while maintaining high standards of professionalism and responsibility.
Graduates of the programme will have opportunities to continue their academic studies or apply for professional licences in accordance with approved requirements. This flexibility is intended to support long-term career progression and to provide multiple pathways for professional growth within the real estate industry.
The launch of the diploma forms part of DLD’s ongoing efforts to develop human capital in line with the Dubai Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033 and the Dubai Social Agenda 33. Both frameworks emphasise the empowerment of national talent and the enhancement of their readiness to contribute to Dubai’s economic and social development.