Dubai: H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has reinforced Dubai's dedication to nurturing national talent by investing in Emiratis' education at top global universities. This initiative aims to develop their skills, preparing them to lead in Dubai and the UAE's future development.
According to Emirates News Agency, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan stressed that cultivating qualified national human capital is crucial to the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. This vision is rooted in investing in people, offering national talent and high-achieving students exceptional education and development opportunities. This approach not only invests in Dubai's future but also enhances the readiness of national talent to contribute to priority and emerging sectors, supporting the Dubai Plan 2033 and the Education 33 (E33) Strategy.
The third cohort of the Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Programme recently participated in an orientation session at the Grand Hyatt Dubai. The event celebrated the first cohort of scholarship graduates, who completed degrees in various fields including architecture, economics and finance, and IT and data analytics.
Aisha Miran, Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), highlighted that the scholarship programme aligns with the leadership's vision to invest in people. It supports Dubai's Education 33 Strategy by grooming Emirati talent for future leadership roles and enhancing the global competitiveness of Emirati graduates. She emphasized the programme's commitment to providing supportive environments for students, ensuring their academic and personal success while developing leadership, resilience, and innovation.
During the orientation, scholarship students and their parents learned about the services provided by the programme and the next steps in their educational journey. Partner entities like IDP Education supported the sessions, and students received a guide detailing available services throughout their studies.
The Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Programme continues to play a strategic role in developing human capital and preparing national talent aligned with Dubai's future priorities. It supported 152 students in its first two cohorts, attending 44 universities worldwide, including top-ranked institutions. The third cohort includes around 100 students across seven fields, such as artificial intelligence, engineering, and creative media.
The programme's expansion reflects its growing impact, building a sustainable talent ecosystem and strengthening Emirati readiness for Dubai's future development. Launched under the Dubai Social Agenda 33, it provides 100 scholarships annually to outstanding Emirati students accepted to leading global universities, covering tuition, living, and travel expenses.
The steering committee oversees the programme's vision, strategic plan, and budget, ensuring unified scholarship policies across the emirate. H.H. Sheikh Hamdan also personally congratulated top-performing students and their parents, recognizing their contributions to shaping Dubai's future.
High-achieving students, recognized as part of the Dubai Pioneers programme, expressed gratitude for the support from UAE's leadership. The recognition ceremony, hosted by KHDA, included recipients of the Ruler's Court Scholarship, which supports outstanding Emirati students for undergraduate studies in accredited fields.
More details about the Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Programme and Dubai Pioneers are available on the KHDA website.