ABU DHABI // A new National Defence College under the general command of the Armed Forces will open in the capital next August to train the next generation of Emirati leaders.
Its aim will be to prepare military and civil leadership to assess the challenges of national, regional and international security. It will also train future heads of state security, police and other forces, diplomatic and consular leaders and senior public officials who might in the future be involved in crisis management roles.
Maj Gen Eissa Saif Al Mazrouei, deputy chief of staff of the Armed Forces, said graduates would be expected to attain high rank and assume leadership positions.
The college's supreme council will be chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
It will include the ministers of interior, foreign affairs, higher education and research, and cabinet affairs, among others, Wam, the state news agency, reported yesterday.
The council will convene initially to put together a strategy for the college, including its courses and curricula.
The council will also set prerequisites for enrolment, consider studies conducted at the college, prepare graduation certificates and decide on its budget.
As well as Emiratis, the college will take students from "sisterly and friendly countries", Wam said.
Enrolment will be determined by the needs of the Armed Forces and civil sectors.
As well as undergraduate degrees, the college will offer master's degrees and doctorates in strategic and security studies, and a diploma in state resource management.
Senior officers from the Armed Forces and senior officials of the ministries of interior and foreign affairs applauded the announcement of the new college and said it served the higher interests of the state.
Lt Gen Obaid Mohammed Al Ka'abi, undersecretary of the Defence Ministry said the national project "will be launched on solid national and scientific foundations to eventually serve the national security and strategy and fulfill the aspirations of our top leadership".
