ABU DHABI, 19th May, 2023 (WAM) — Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, has attended the graduation ceremony of the Tawazun Future Leaders Programme.
Tareq Abdulraheem Al Hosani, Secretary-General of Tawazun Council, and a number of senior officials also attended the ceremony.
The Tawazun Future Leadership Programme is organised by the Tawazun Council and the Human Resources Authority, in collaboration with Rabdan Academy and Cranfield University. The programme seeks to equip graduates as acquisition experts within Tawazun to effectively contribute to the defence and security industries' long-term growth.
Culture of excellence
It also aims to foster a culture of excellence and competitiveness in the sector, promote communication and collaboration among national enterprises in the supply chain, and aid in the development of local and international partnerships to supplement the competence of Tawazun’s human capital.
The ceremony honoured 71 graduates, including 24 from the 2021 cohort, 24 from the 2022 cohort, and 23 from the 2023 cohort.
Sheikh Nahyan said in his keynote address that the graduation ceremony reflects the level of support provided to the nation's defence and security sectors, which play a vital role in maintaining the UAE's global position and defending its achievements, under the country’s leadership.
He said, "This graduation exemplifies the significance of education and training in the UAE under our wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and his vision for further progress, security, and stability. It also stems from the country's commitment to enhancing the role of education and training in preparing the workforce, promoting the continuous learning process, striving for excellence and achievement, and driving global competitiveness."
Exceptional programme
Sheikh Nahyan expressed gratitude to President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan who emphasises education and training as indispensable instruments for ensuring a prosperous future.
He highlighted the Tawazun Leadership Programme as a distinctive, high-quality training programme that employs forward-thinking curriculum, smart technology and is taught by a highly qualified and experienced faculty.
Sheikh Nahyan lauded the productive partnership between Rabdan Academy and Cranfield University, saying, "Rabdan Academy has become a world-class institution that provides effective education, training, and research in the defence, security, emergency preparedness, and crisis management sectors. These programmes are representative of the calibre of their graduates."
He congratulated the graduates and praised their perseverance and commitment, saying, "We anticipate your future role in serving the community and the nation as a whole."
Sheikh Nahyan also praised Tawazun Council's contribution to the development of the defence and security sector's capabilities and hailed the programme's organisers and instructors.
Ambitious plans
Tareq Al Hosani said that the Tawazun Future Leaders Programme is part of ambitious plans to support and qualify Emirati competencies in the defence and security sector in order to make them more effective and future-ready. In addition, the programme prepares participants to play a pivotal role in supporting the country's comprehensive development drive, enabling them to actively contribute to the UAE's “national strategy of building a competitive knowledge economy.”
"The success of this three-year initiative demonstrates Tawazun Council's commitment to developing the youth's capabilities and enabling them to find employment opportunities in the sector commensurate with their qualifications, specialisations, and expertise. We continue to develop partnerships, programmes, and initiatives with local and international research and development (R&D) centres and universities to reach new heights in meeting the requirements of the country's defence and security sectors,” he added.
Rabdan Academy President, James Anthony Morse, expressed his delight at the graduation of a new cohort of the Tawazun Future Leaders Programme in the UAE. He emphasised that the programme's goal is to empower young leaders and invest in their professional and personal futures by providing integrated and specialised leadership and management training.
He said, "The programme's graduates have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and problem-solving skills."
He further stated that “the academy will continue to encourage young talents and provide them with the necessary chances to develop their abilities and achieve their future goals.”