Dubai: H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, recently met with the inaugural group of graduates from the Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Programme, reinforcing Dubai's commitment to nurturing Emirati talent and preparing future leaders.
According to Emirates News Agency, the meeting was attended by prominent figures including Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications; Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary General of The Executive Council of Dubai; Aisha Miran, Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA); Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of the Dubai Government Human Resources Department; along with members of the programme's steering committee.
During the meeting, Sheikh Hamdan congratulated the graduates on their academic accomplishments and expressed confidence in their potential to contribute to Dubai's future. He emphasized that the graduation of this first cohort marks a critical milestone in Dubai's ambitious initiative, founded on the belief that investing in human capital is the most sustainable form of investment.
Addressing the graduates, Sheikh Hamdan stated: 'We take pride in your achievements. Dubai invests in its people because they are the nation's greatest asset and the architects of its future. What you have accomplished today marks the beginning of a new chapter, one in which we expect you to make contributions that reflect the ambitions of the UAE, a nation that places great faith in its young people. We count on our outstanding young men and women to make a meaningful contribution to society and the economy. We want you to be role models for your peers and ambassadors of the scholarship programme and of Emirati excellence across workplaces and future-focused sectors.'
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan reiterated that under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai will continue to invest in national talent, providing Emiratis with access to high-quality educational opportunities at prestigious international academic institutions. These opportunities are intended to enhance their academic and professional skills, preparing them to contribute effectively to priority sectors.
Sheikh Hamdan further highlighted that investing in Emirati talent is fundamental to the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), the Dubai Social Agenda 33, and the Education 33 Strategy. These objectives focus on developing skilled national professionals to contribute to priority sectors, bolster the knowledge economy, and strengthen Dubai's status as a global leader in human and leadership development.
The graduates expressed their gratitude for Sheikh Hamdan's support, acknowledging the motivation the meeting provided to continue pursuing excellence. They also affirmed their commitment to applying their knowledge and expertise gained through their studies to contribute to the UAE's development, enhancing the competitiveness of Emirati talent on both regional and global platforms.
The first graduating cohort includes six graduates specializing in architecture, economics and finance, sustainable and renewable energy engineering, Asian and Middle Eastern studies, information systems, and data analytics.
Launched as part of the Dubai Social Agenda 33, the Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Programme, with an endowment of AED1.1 billion, offers 100 scholarships annually to Emirati students accepted to one of the world's top 200 universities. The programme covers tuition, living expenses, and travel costs for outstanding Emirati students, focusing on disciplines aligned with job market needs and future development priorities.