By Hala Khalaf (The National Newspaper,December 20. 2008 )
ABU DHABI // It is the only centre of its kind in the country, offering young men and boys a rare chance to turn their lives around. The campus in the desert outside Abu Dhabi does not look like much, but the staff at VEDC (Vocational Education Development Centre) in Al Shahama give hope for a job and a future to those who have nowhere else to go. (Picture: Students stage a play as part of the VEDC curriculum, which also emphasises interpersonal skills.)
Dr.Khodair Abid VEDC Principal
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Category 1: UAE citizens and those that have been naturalised:
Children of a father who is a UAE citizen.
Cases Under discussion:
Category 2: Arab Expatriates:
Allowing children of Arab expatriates who are residents of UAE entry to the CAL programmes is currently under discussion. Additional Conditions of Admission: All students must fulfil the following additional conditions before his application will be accepted:
He has completed Grade 6 of his Secondary Education.
He is not currently in regular schooling and has a minimum of interruption of one year.
He has got parental or guardian consent and he and the parents or guardian have read the VEDC Student Handbook and read and signed the VEDC Behaviour Expectations Policy Contract.
He is not mentally or severely physically disabled. (A Student will not be rejected for ailments such as flat feet or obesity. Rejection will occur if the student has a disease that is infectious or is mentally unstable or severely disabled).
When Initial in-processing has been completed, including medical checks.
Admission Requirements 
