Khalifa Bin Zayed al Nahyan


His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of UAE, issued a Decree of Federal Law No. (1), for the Year 2012 promulgating the establishment of a college in Abu Dhabi under the name of “National Defence College”. The college shall report to the GHQ Armed Forces and specialize in preparing and qualifying both military and civilian leaders and honing their skills in identifying and assessing challenges to national, regional and international security as well as understanding the fundamentals and requirements for managing and employing state resources to defend national interests.

His Highness also issued a Decree of Federal Law No. (19), for the Year 2016 amending some provisions of the Federal Law No. (1), for the Year 2012 promulgating the establishment of the National Defence College, and Federal Law by Decree No. (7) of 2021 on Amending  some articles of the Federal Law by Decree No. (1) of 2012

The articles of the decree are as follows:


ARTICLE (1)

A college shall be established in the city of Abu Dhabi under the name of “National Defence College”, and shall report to the GHQ Armed Forces. It is responsible for preparing and qualifying both military and civilian leaders and honing their skills in identifying and assessing challenges to national, regional and international security as well as understanding the fundamentals and requirements for managing and employing state resources to defend national interests.


ARTICLE (2)

Formation of the Higher Council of the National Defence College

The National Defence College shall have a Higher Council, to be formed by a decision of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces


ARTICLE (3)

Powers and Authorities of the College Higher Council
The College Higher Council shall specifically have the following powers and authorities:
  1. Approving strategic plans for preparing and qualifying military and civilian leaders.
  2. Approving regulations, curricula, educational and training programs, and development plans according to the college’s education policy.
  3. Drawing up the college’s general policy with regard to admission and registration.
  4. Identifying strategic priorities and national, regional and international security issues that need to be highlighted and included in the college curriculum.
  5. Approving graduates’ final results, academic degrees, masters, and any other certificates issued by the college.
  6. Reviewing and approving the annual budget of the college.
  7. Sending invitations and accepting students from friendly countries.
  8. Providing documents, data, reports and statistics related to the programs of the college from the ministries and institutions.
  9. Identifying research and study areas adopted by the college in all various programs.
  10. Studying suggestions and recommendations submitted by the NDC Council and issuing the necessary directives accordingly.

ARTICLE (4)

Meetings and Resolutions of the College Higher Council:
  1. The College Higher Council shall convene for one time at the end of each academic year upon an invitation from its President or Vice-Chairman, or  each time the need  dictates .The meeting quorum shall be a minimum of six members of whom shall be the Chairman or Vice-Chairman .
  2. The Resolutions of College Higher Council shall be issued upon the majority of   voting members .In case the number of voters is equal, the party that has the Chairman or the Vice-Chairman, in the absence of the Chairman, shall prevail.
  3. The College Higher Council shall have the right to invite consultants and experts whom it deems appropriate to support in their technical and scientific experience without having the right to vote.

ARTICLE (5)

  1. The College shall be managed and administered collectively by the College Council and the Commandant.
  2. The College Bylaw shall entail the College's mission and objectives in addition to the organizational structure and functions of the College Council.

ARTICLE (6)

Certificates awarded by the College

The National Defence College shall grant the following certificates:

    1. Master's Degree in Strategic and Security Studies.
    2. Higher Diploma in Strategic and Security Studies.
    3. Doctor of Philosophy in Strategic Studies
    4. Any other certificate or academic degree that may be granted in the future upon a decision by the College Higher Council in accordance with the requirements and standards of the governmental accreditation

ARTICLE (7)

The National Defence College shall have an independent annual budget allocated in the Armed Forces Budget as per the directives of the Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. The expenditures of which shall be in accordance with the allocations and the discretionary spending system approved by the Chief of Staff.

ARTICLE (8)

  1. The College Bylaw, the resolutions and bylaws for enforcing the provisions of this Decree shall be issued by the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
  2. Deputy Supreme Commander shall have the right to  issue  any  allowance  or bonus  for  employees  and  lecturers  working at the National Defence College.

ARTICLE (9)

The concerned authorities shall execute the provisions of this Decree in a law as per the responsibility vested in each.

ARTICLE (10)

This Decree shall be published in the official gazette and enter into force as of 01/08/2012.

Khalifah Bin Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan
The President of the United Arab Emirates
(The original document is signed)

Issued in the capacity vested in Us at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi on this day the Thirteen of August, 2012 corresponding to 25 Ramadan, 1433 Hijri .