The UAE’s national identity is a “identity of construction, development and ambition,” Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan said, stressing that the country’s continued progress reflects the vision and guidance of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
In remarks at the annual open meeting with “National Identity Pioneers” from UAE university students, held on Wednesday at Abu Dhabi University as part of Watan Al Emarat Foundation’s summer programmes in universities, the Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Directors underlined the importance of the training programme and the national and knowledge-based principles it promoted. He also honoured outstanding trainers, supervisors and several donors and partners.
The meeting was attended by presidents and directors of the universities participating in the summer programmes, as well as Afra Al Sabri, Director-General at the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, and Yasser Al Gergawi, Director-General of Watan Al Emarat Foundation.
A programme that reflects the Foundation’s mission
Sheikh Nahyan said the training programme for National Identity Pioneers embodies the Foundation’s message of empowering young Emiratis to become living examples of national identity values: the ability to give and achieve, sincere love of country, care for its progress, and commitment to safeguarding its interests and realising its goals.
He said he was proud of the deep sense of belonging he witnessed among participants, reflected in hard work, sincere effort, loyalty to the country’s leadership, commitment to its objectives, pride in faith, self-confidence, awareness of responsibility, openness to others and keeping pace with global developments, together with a confident outlook towards the bright future awaiting the UAE.
Sheikh Nahyan expressed his deepest thanks and appreciation to President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, praising his insightful vision for the UAE’s future and his continued efforts to achieve comprehensive development, safeguard national security, protect society and elevate national achievements to even more advanced and distinguished levels.
Building on history, leadership and opportunity
He said the programme, designed for university students taking part in the Foundation’s summer activities, highlighted the wide-ranging opportunities available in the UAE. The country, he said, is grounded in a glorious history that remains a lasting source of strength for continued construction and achievement, as well as in wise leadership with a forward-looking vision and the courage to prepare for change.
He added that the UAE’s advanced infrastructure, distinguished urban development, sophisticated education system, comprehensive healthcare system and clear focus on raising productivity and strengthening sustainable development all contribute to its success.
Sheikh Nahyan also noted that the UAE’s journey is built on values of concord, harmony and solidarity, while remaining committed to authentic principles and values. He pointed to its globally attractive business and investment environment, and a foreign policy marked by realism and balance, saying these achievements form core pillars of national identity and reinforce confidence that the UAE is moving firmly on the right path under the wise leadership of the President.
He reviewed the main factors that have made the UAE a leading model of giving and achievement, explaining that Emirati national identity is an authentic and creative extension of Arab-Islamic civilisation, carrying a complete system of values and traditions that has shaped, and continues to shape, the cultural framework of Emirati society in the past, present and future.
The legacy of Sheikh Zayed and the responsibility of youth
He affirmed pride in the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may Allah rest his soul, who founded a modern state based on progress, prosperity and stability, and established a strong bond between leadership and people founded on trust, love and cohesion.
Sheikh Nahyan said preserving the sustainability of the development journey begins with pride in national identity and its firm values and principles, alongside its role in empowering people and developing their abilities to innovate, excel and outperform in different fields.
He said what everyone learns daily from the President confirms that national identity is an identity of building and development, ambition, elevating the nation and releasing the latent energies of Emirati sons and daughters. It is, he added, a national asset that must be protected and nurtured continuously, while placing the highest priority on responsibility as the foundation for preparing generations capable of meeting society’s aspirations.
He said society expects young people, especially members of National Identity Clubs, to prepare themselves to shoulder responsibility in serving the nation, to take the initiative in actions that reflect their national commitment, to preserve the traditions and values of society, and to contribute to strengthening values of brotherhood, peace and prosperity within the country and beyond.
At the same time, he said, society is committed to empowering young people and preparing them to meet future requirements through the integration of efforts by all national institutions and sectors.
Positive thinking and the “no impossible” culture
Sheikh Nahyan highlighted the importance of embedding a culture of positive thinking, which he described as the culture of “no impossible”, as one of the key foundations of the Emirati character. Positive thinking, he said, means optimism about success, confidence in achieving goals, and the ability to overcome obstacles and confront challenges with determination and resolve.
He said it helps strengthen initiative, ambition, engagement with society and a sense of responsibility. The UAE, he added, provides its youth with opportunities to learn, progress and advance, and expects them to adopt positive thinking, exert their utmost effort, lead initiatives and innovation, benefit from the best international practices, and serve as models of responsible conduct.
He called on all National Identity Pioneers to make sincere belonging to the الوطن, loyalty to its path, pride in its leadership, commitment to its goals, discipline in work, and the best use of the talents and abilities God has granted them a constant principle in their lives and behaviour, wishing all National Identity Clubs in universities and colleges continued success.
Abu Dhabi University welcomes the national initiative
For his part, the Chairman of Abu Dhabi University’s Board of Directors, Dr Ali Saeed bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, said he was pleased that the university hosted the annual open meeting for the National Identity Pioneers programme and embraced this national event that brought together a distinguished group of Emirati university students.
He said the university was proud to work with Watan Al Emarat Foundation on initiatives that invest in people and help entrench national identity and strengthen values of belonging and responsibility among young people.
He thanked Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan for his inspiring vision and leadership of these pioneering national initiatives, which make national identity a practical project for building people and a true translation of the wise leadership’s directives to empower young people and prepare them for the future.
Dr Al Dhaheri said the Minister’s remarks carried profound national messages, affirming that Emirati identity is not merely belonging, but a complete system of values, work, achievement, ambition and creativity.
He added that the university sees its participation in the National Identity Pioneers programme as an integral part of its mission to prepare generations with knowledge and competence, alongside pride in national identity and awareness of the country’s history, achievements and responsibility towards its future.
He noted the university’s keenness to provide an academic and cultural environment that contributes to building a balanced national personality, capable of competing globally while remaining rooted in authentic Emirati values.
He also commended Watan Al Emarat Foundation, led by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, for its innovative programmes and initiatives that strengthen partnerships between academic and national institutions and help discover young people’s talents, develop their capabilities and entrench values of loyalty, belonging and social responsibility.
Honouring contributors and presenting “Family Box”
At the end of the ceremony, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan honoured university leaders, supervisors and trainers, in recognition of their outstanding efforts over the three weeks of the training programme “National Identity Pioneers” in UAE universities, as part of Watan Al Emarat Foundation’s summer activities in universities.
The honourees included Dr Ali bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, Chairman of Abu Dhabi University’s Board of Directors; Sohah Abu Mousa, supervisor of the National Identity Club; academic mentor Mahdiyya Abu Ouda; leadership empowerment and performance development expert Dr Ali Abdullah Al Yammahi; institutional innovation development consultant Dr Humaid Al Kindi; supervisor of the National Identity Club Moza Saif Al Mansouri; media and communication programme director and assistant professor Dr Rania Abdulqader Abdullah; Director of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre and faculty member at the College of Engineering Yazan Nawaf Saleh Al Ahmed; National Identity Club supervisor and lecturer Dr Hajar Al Nuaimi; lecturer at Ras Al Khaimah College of Technology Dr Shaimaa Ibrahim Al Awadhi; events management specialist Maryam Al Blooshi; assistant director for student career guidance and field practical training Dr Aisha Al Masmari; senior specialist in student career guidance Aisha Al Yammahi; member of the Sand Al Watan Women’s Association Dr Fatima Al Khamiri; heritage researcher Badriya Al Hosani; international art therapy trainer Fatima Al Qubaisi; public health specialist Dr Aisha Al Dhaheri; and filmmaker Ali Ahmed.
Representatives of more than 850 students from the National Identity Pioneers programme in universities presented Sheikh Nahyan with the first model of the “Family Box”, which reflects the three-week training on the role of the family in strengthening national identity, as a gesture of appreciation for his role in supporting the university-based Pioneers of National Identity programmes and his commitment to empowering the nation’s youth in various fields.
The “Family Box” concept brings together everything related to identity and the family, and can be used by every family member to help preserve values and identity. It focuses on family values and the importance of communication between generations and Emirati families, and includes a number of principles and foundations on which the family is built and through which it can fulfil its various roles.