The ceremony was held at Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The Ministry of Education (MoE) on Tuesday honoured 24 young Emirati leaders through its National Leadership Academy for Higher Education programme, aimed at empowering Emirati leaders in the education sector.

Launched in October last year, the programme falls within the MoE’s ongoing efforts to support and qualify Emirati talents in the educational sector.

The honouring ceremony, held at Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre, was attended by Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education, Dr Mohammad Al Mualla, Undersecretary for Higher Education Academic Affairs at the MoE, senior officials from the MoE, graduates from the academy’s first batch, and leaders of higher education institutions.

In his speech, Dr Al Falasi congratulated the graduates, highlighting this as a crucial step in their journey towards continuous learning, creativity and innovation.

He emphasised their role in supporting society by elevating the UAE’s higher education sector and enhancing its competitiveness locally, regionally and internationally.

Dr Al Falasi said: “We at the Ministry of Education are dedicated to developing Emirati talent in education, as demonstrated by the National Leadership Academy for Higher Education. Today, we have successfully empowered creative energies and built leaders equipped with the knowledge, skills and innovative thinking needed to excel in academic and administrative roles in public higher education, which aligns with the government’s national priorities. The programme also prepares graduates to contribute to a pioneering, successful and proactive future education system, supporting the UAE’s development vision.” During the event, an introductory video about the National Leadership Academy for Higher Education was previewed, explaining its objectives, activities and phases that participants went through. The video also highlighted five projects developed by the young leaders, each created by a different group to enhance the UAE’s higher education system. A number of these projects were executed with funding and supervision from the MoE.

During the event, the first batch of the National Leadership Academy for Higher Education programme was honoured.

This batch included Dr Sameera Al Mulla, Dr Hassan Al Hashimi, Dr. Fatma Kalbat, Hoda Al-Tamimi, and Nada Buftaim from the MoE, Professor Juma Al Kaabi and Alyaziyah Al Dhaheri from the United Arab Emirates University, Mariam Al Hammadi from the Emirates College for Advanced Education, Eisa Al Shamsi and Reem Al Hashemi from the University of Sharjah, Asma Al Shamsi from Ajman University, Dr Wafa Zoghbor, Dr Fatima Taher and Dr Muna AlSeeni from Zayed University, Prof. Habiba Al Safar and Prof. Ali Almansoori from Khalifa University, Dr Fahad Alsaadi and Dr Meera Al Marri from Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, Dr Lamia AlHajri, Jasim Alhammadi, and Maryam Al Hafeet from the Higher Colleges of Technology, Mohammed Alrayssi from Abu Dhabi Polytechnic, as well as Samya Al Saedi and Mariam Al Balooshi from Rabdan Academy.

The programme included three phases: the first involved direct engagement with participants through practical lectures, interactive workshops and training activities to develop leadership awareness and essential skills for leaders in the higher education sector.

The second included a comprehensive 360 assessment to contribute to upskilling the young leaders individually, assigning a mentor for each participant, periodic follow-ups to develop and implement projects, and ongoing support from the MoE and advisory bodies sponsoring the projects. The third phase focused on evaluating and launching development projects for the higher education sector.

Recently, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan honoured eight individuals for their notable contributions to communities across the UAE at a ceremony marking the 11th edition of the Abu Dhabi Awards, held at Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Mohamed conveyed his congratulations to all the honourees, recognising their inspiring efforts and significant contributions in service to society.

The 11th edition of the Abu Dhabi Awards honoured individuals whose contributions have positively benefited the UAE across diverse fields such as education, sustainability, medicine, humanitarian relief, community awareness, and the empowerment of People of Determination.