Mohamed bin Zayed opens Defence College

General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Chairman of Supreme Council of the National Defence College, officially inaugurated the college on Wednesday.

Present at the opening ceremony were Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development,a number of members of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Lt. General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi, Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, a group of top Armed Forces commanders, diplomats and VIP guests.

Sheikh Mohamed hoisted the college's flag at the parade ground and  unveiled a memorial plaque, declaring the opening of the college.

Sheikh Mohamed said :'' It's our great pleasure and pride to open today this ambitious scientific research institute, coinciding  with our celebrations of the 42nd glorious national day. We believe in the message of our educational and academic institutions and in their vital role in promoting thought and keeping pace with rapid changes to address challenges and explore future approaches, so as to work closely and collaboratively with other national agencies for the service of issues concerning the Emirati community and our national security, both taking top priority for our wise leadership.''

Sheikh Mohamed was then briefed by the commandant  of the college , Air Vice Marshal Rashad Mohammed Al Saadi, about the college, its departments, academic and research resources and advanced curricula, and the competence of trainers and faculty, as well as its  close cooperation with other national education providers, including UAE University and Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research.

Sheikh Mohamed expressed his delight at seeing a group of Emirati citizens joining the college to enrich their scientific knowledge and practical and professional expertise and gain basic skills so as to participate effectively in serving their homeland.

He added that the college would serve as a new source for sustaining development, training and building the capacity of Emiratis to whom President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan gives proper support.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi added that the country's wise leadership gives great care to the qualitative training and capacity building of Emiratis  to enable them to respond in a professional and positive method to unfolding developments and changes and to identify and assess future challenges, mainly those regarding national, regional and international security, as well as to understand the basics and requirements for managing state resources to protect national interests and achieve strategic objectives.

The commandant  said in his opening remarks that ''Today is yet another day of giving and progress, a day full of absolute loyalty to our dear leadership and a generous nation ... we meet today at a new site of dignity and pride and of the building of the Emirati citizen.''

He expressed his hope that the college would produce more achievements for the UAE and be another fitting platform of excellence in academic and strategic thought which would empower future leaders to keep abreast of the modern age and analyse and read its needs by using diverse, creative intellectual methods and developing national strategies for decision-making to serve national interests.

He said that the first batch of 30 students had joined the college in August.

Mohamed bin Zayed orders setting up new Jiu-Jitsu clubs across UAE

General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has ordered the setting up of Jiu-Jitsu clubs and training centres nationwide to provide facilities for many practitioners.

He also issued  instructions to sponsor distinguished Jiu-Jitsu players, and for the private and public sectors to contribute in supporting them so that they can excel and represent the country in championships. The directives include the sponsorship of talented players at schools and universities so that they can continue studying besides their sport.

The move reflects the interest of Sheikh Mohamed in sports in general and Jiu-Jitsu in particular, in which the U.A.E. has recorded achievements at the regional and international levels. Sheikh Mohamed has attended a number of  Jiu-Jitsu competitions, including  the World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship- U.A.E.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi also launched the Sheikh Mohamed Jiu-Jitsu Programme for Students.

Jiu -Jitsu is a martial art and combat sport, focused on ground grappling, and is commonly used in mixed martial arts competitions.

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