Thursday 05 June 2014

Accompanied by the National Security Advisor Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum attended the graduation ceremony of the first intake of the National Defense College in Abu Dhabi.

The ceremony took place at the UAE NDC campus .The ceremony was attended by Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, State Minister Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Sultan Al Jaber, H.E Lieutenant General  Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi Al Flasi, Undersecretary of MoD, Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces Lt. General Hamad Mohammed  Thani Al Rumaithi, H.E Director of Dubai Ruler’s Office Lt. General Mosbeh bin Rashid AI Fattan, H.E Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior Lt. General Saif Abdullah Al Shafar, and a number of sheikhs and senior civil and military officials.

The ceremony began with the rendition of the UAE National Anthem and recitation of the holly Quran following Sheikh Mohammed’s arrival at the venue of the event. Then the college commander delivered a welcoming speech in which he welcomed the patron of the ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and the audience. He also expressed thanks and loyalty to President and Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for founding the National Defense College, an unparallel learning edifice in the region. He also thanked His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Supreme Council of the college Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

General Al Saadi pointed out that the mission of the college is to prepare and qualify both military and civilian leaders and to improve their skills in identifying and assessing challenges to national, regional and international security and to help students develop an understanding of the fundamentals and requirements of managing and employing state resources in order to defend national interests.

He also added that the course is taught over a 46-week period during which student-participants are engaged in an extensive study program that primarily focus on 4 main topic areas: Strategic Environment and Strategy, Elements of National Power, National Security and Crisis Management. He pointed out that according to the NDC program, student-participants also study other courses such as Contemporary Issues and  Scientific Research Methods and their studies are culminated by a capstone research project. "At the end of the course, student-participants who complete the requirements for the master degree will be awarded a master degree in Strategic Management of State Resources while those who fail to do so will be awarded only a diploma in  the same field" General Al Saadi said. 

On behalf of his colleagues, the graduate student Staff Brigadier General  Matar Saeed Al Nuaimi delivered a speech where he expressed deep gratitude and allegiance to the leader of the nation, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President and the Supreme Commander of the Armed forces may God protect him and to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and to General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces as the college was honored by the His Highness’s  appointment as the Chairman of the National Defense College’s Supreme Council.

General Al Nuaimi also thanked the College’s Council and faculty members for their invaluable help and support for student participants through the course of their studies, expressing the pride the graduates take by receiving the college’s certificate, taking a vow before God and the sage leadership to remain the country’s loyal soldiers and guardians of its national gains.  

Sheikh Mohammed distributed certificates to 16 military graduates from the UAE Armed Forces and the Ministry of Interior  and to 14 civilian graduates from various ministries and other government and private sector agencies and congratulated them on their big achievement.

After that the College Commandant presented a memorabilia to Sheikh Mohammed, Sheikh Mohammed along with Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan and General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan posed for photographs with the graduates, the Chief of Staff, the College Commandant and faculty members. 

His Highness Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai congratulated graduates on this occasion, urging them to continue to seek further education. Addressing the graduates, he said:"I am still learning a new thing every day, and haven’ t stopped doing so, because learning and seeking knowledge are the reason behind human’s progress, happiness and stability; they are the first block in nation building which we want to raise to achieve glory, prosperity and progress in the various fields of life." “May God the Almighty bless you in all that you do to serve your beloved country" he concluded his speech.