Abu dhabi: Mohammed bin Rashid Government Scholarships has introduced a Master’s program in Applied AI, partnering with Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI). The program is a pioneering initiative in the UAE, designed to span two years, encompassing 34 credit hours. It emphasizes the development, deployment, and leadership of AI-driven solutions in real institutional environments. This inaugural cohort is comprised solely of UAE government employees, signifying the first dedicated government intake under this institutional partnership.
According to Emirates News Agency, the program is spearheaded by Ting Yu, the Programme Director and a Professor of Computer Science at MBZUAI. Yu emphasized that the program aims to prepare future leaders to harness AI in tackling organizational and societal challenges. Through this partnership, the initiative seeks to equip government professionals with advanced skills and hands-on experience to accelerate AI adoption across priority areas in the UAE’s public sector.
The curriculum covers core tracks such as data science for industrial applications, software engineering, applied deep learning, generative AI, and entrepreneurship. Additionally, elective courses include computer vision, natural language processing, smart city systems, robotics, trustworthy AI, and MLOps. The program commenced with an intensive ten-week phase before transitioning to a regular semester schedule, with lectures delivered at MBZUAI’s campus in Abu Dhabi. These are conducted by the university’s faculty, along with practitioners and experts from both government and private sectors.
Graduates of this program are expected to lead AI adoption within their respective entities, contributing to the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031. The Mohammed bin Rashid Government Scholarships aim to develop Emirati talent across government entities, aligning with national priorities in fields such as economic strategies, international policy, and AI in government. These programs are delivered in collaboration with leading global institutions, including MBZUAI, New York University Abu Dhabi, and Georgetown University, blending rigorous academic content with practical government application. The scholarships support master’s degrees focusing on Economic Strategies, International Policy, and Artificial Intelligence in Government.