Hamdan bin Mohammed meets first graduates of academic scholarship programme

As part of the leadership's commitment to supporting outstanding Emiratis throughout their educational and professional journeys, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, met the first batch of graduates from the Hamdan bin Mohammed Academic Scholarship Program. The meeting was attended by 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 Abdullah Meeran, Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority; Abdulla Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of the Dubai Government Human Resources Department; and members of the programme's steering committee. During the meeting, Sheikh Hamdan congratulated the graduates on their academic achievements and expressed confidence in their abilities. He said the graduation of the first batch marks an important milestone for a programme launched on the belief that investment in people is the most important and sustainable form of investment. He highlighted the importance of learning, innovation and leadership in shaping the future. Addressing the graduates, Sheikh Hamdan said: “We are proud of you. Dubai invests in its people because they are the nation's greatest asset and the architects of its future. What you have achieved today is the beginning of a new journey. We expect you to make an impact that reflects the ambitions of the UAE and the opportunities that lie ahead. We are counting 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, ambassadors for scholarship programmes and Emirati excellence, and examples of competence, ambition and responsibility in every field you enter.” His Highness stressed that Dubai, under the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will continue investing in Emirati talent. He said the emirate remains committed to providing access to leading international universities and academic institutions to strengthen the scientific and professional capabilities of Emiratis and prepare them for priority sectors and future industries. He said investing in national talent is a key pillar of the Dubai Plan 2033 and the Dubai Education Strategy 2033. The goal, he added, is to prepare Emiratis to contribute to priority sectors, support the knowledge economy and strengthen Dubai's position as a global model for human development and leadership. His Highness added: “Empowering talented Emiratis and national competencies is a priority in building future leaders who can create opportunities. We are confident in their ability to turn those opportunities into meaningful contributions that serve the nation and society.” The graduates expressed their appreciation for the support they receive from Sheikh Hamdan. They said meeting him would motivate them to continue striving for excellence and fulfil their responsibility to serve the UAE. The graduates also affirmed their readiness to contribute to the country's development. They said they look forward to applying the knowledge and experience gained during their studies across different sectors and translating it into tangible impact that strengthens the competitiveness of Emirati talent. The first batch of the Hamdan bin Mohammed Academic Scholarship Program comprises six graduates in architecture, economics and finance, sustainable and renewable energy engineering, Asian and Middle Eastern studies, and information systems and data analysis. The Hamdan bin Mohammed Academic Scholarship Program is one of the initiatives under the Dubai Social Agenda 33. It aims to support 100 outstanding Emirati students each year from public and private schools across different curricula. Students are enrolled in universities ranked among the world's top 200 institutions. The programme has a total allocation of approximately AED 1.1 billion over the coming years. Applicants are selected according to rigorous criteria, including secondary school academic performance, the international ranking of the university and academic programme, and the relevance of the chosen field of study to Dubai's future economic and development needs. The programme focuses on disciplines aligned with labour market requirements and future development priorities. It aims to strengthen Emiratis' participation in the economy, support the national human development system, and prepare generations equipped with the knowledge, skills and leadership capabilities needed to drive future transformation.