Professional Pensions Diploma Program Launched By GPSSA And University Of Dubai To Develop Emirati Talent

The General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA) and the University of Dubai are launching the Professional Pensions Diploma Program to prepare skilled Emirati specialists for the growing pensions and social security sector, support Emiratization plans, and reinforce financial and social stability as national coverage and participation expand across the UAE.

The UAE pension and social security system has been expanding, with insured individuals reaching 181,447 by the end of 2025, reflecting a 24.3% rise compared with 2024. Registered employers with GPSSA increased to 30,404 over the same period, a 38.6% increase, aided by programmes such as Nafis and digital services like the Ma’ashi platform.

This growth is linked to successful Emiratization policies that encourage Emiratis to join the private sector and to digital transformation that simplifies registration for employers and insured individuals, improves customer experience, and supports financial and family stability for citizens, creating demand for trained professionals who understand pension rules, technology, and evolving labour market needs.

The Professional Pensions Diploma Program is described as the first programme of its type at the University of Dubai and has been structured as a joint initiative between GPSSA and the university to build specialised knowledge, support national development strategies, and supply the pensions and social security sector with qualified Emirati professionals who can respond to regional and local workforce requirements.

The curriculum for the Professional Pensions Diploma Program combines classroom teaching at the University of Dubai with applied content and data provided by GPSSA, covering pension legislation and practice, and includes modules on the fundamentals of pension and social security systems, UAE regulatory laws, governance and risk management, advanced FinTech applications in pensions, and professional ethics for serving contributors and beneficiaries.

Participants in the Professional Pensions Diploma Program are expected to gain advanced understanding of pension systems, related legal frameworks, investment principles, risk management tools, and financial services tied to social security, which should help graduates build clear career paths within GPSSA and across the wider financial and insurance sectors in the UAE as the system continues to expand.

Professional Pensions Diploma Program and UAE pension sector leadership

The partnership between GPSSA and the University of Dubai was confirmed during a formal signing ceremony at the university’s headquarters, attended by Firas Abdul Karim Al Ramahi, Director-General of GPSSA, and Dr. Essa Al Bastaki, President of the University of Dubai, alongside senior representatives from both institutions who underlined the programme’s role in building future sector leaders.

Al Ramahi emphasised, "This partnership with the University of Dubai aligns with our vision to develop national talent and localize specialized knowledge in the pensions sector. The program will be a cornerstone for preparing Emirati professionals to lead the sector and ensure its sustainability, contributing significantly to the UAE's broader development goals."

Dr. Al Bastaki added, "We are proud to collaborate with GPSSA on this unique program. It reflects the University of Dubai's commitment to offering innovative academic and training programmes that meet the evolving needs of the labor market. This program will provide participants with a competitive edge and open promising career opportunities in the dynamic and growing pensions and social security sector."

Through the Professional Pensions Diploma Program, GPSSA and the University of Dubai aim to align academic training with real sector needs, support Emiratization initiatives such as Nafis, and supply qualified Emiratis who can manage pension systems, respond to regulatory changes, and contribute to long-term social protection and sustainable economic growth across the UAE.

With inputs from WAM