During his visit to the Sheikh Zayed Summer Festival, His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Presidential Court, explored the Cybersecurity Council and Abu Dhabi Police pavilions. He engaged with interactive programmes aimed at enhancing students’ awareness of security and promoting a culture of safe technology use.
Promoting Cybersecurity Awareness
At the Cybersecurity Council pavilion, Sheikh Mansour learned about various interactive activities designed to raise students’ cybersecurity awareness. He was briefed on essential data protection and privacy practices, as well as safe usage of digital platforms. Training workshops were also part of the initiative, aiming to develop their technical skills and foster interest in future-focused cybersecurity specialisations.
Engaging in conversation with participating students, Sheikh Mansour praised their commitment to enhancing their capabilities and making productive use of their summer break by acquiring valuable skills that prepare them for the future.
Enhancing Community Safety with Abu Dhabi Police
Sheikh Mansour also visited the Abu Dhabi Police pavilion, where he received an overview of the “Security Camp” organised as part of the festival’s events. This initiative seeks to bolster community awareness and instil a preventative culture through educational and interactive programmes targeting children, youth, and families. The camp aims to utilise their time effectively and enhance their knowledge and skills.
The camp includes informative lectures, training workshops, and practical activities supervised by specialists. It covers concepts of security and safety, promotes a sense of responsibility within the community, raises awareness about drug harms and preventative measures, and addresses digital and security risks. Notably, the camp incorporates training using virtual and augmented reality technologies to equip today’s youth with the necessary skills to tackle future challenges while instilling values of responsibility and civic duty, as well as an understanding of the role of security personnel in serving the community.
Building a Knowledge-Based Society
Sheikh Mansour emphasised that investing in individuals starts with building their awareness and equipping them with knowledge and skills to keep pace with rapid changes. He stated that fostering a culture of security and safety, enhancing digital awareness, and preparing qualified national cadres in technical fields are essential pillars for sustaining development and reinforcing the UAE’s leadership in nurturing an innovation-driven knowledge economy.
The initiatives showcased at the Cybersecurity Council and Abu Dhabi Police pavilions exemplify a model of cooperation among national institutions aimed at preparing a knowledgeable generation equipped with future skills. This collaborative effort significantly contributes to protecting national achievements and supporting sustainable development.
Sheikh Zayed Summer Festival: A Gateway to Knowledge
The Sheikh Zayed Summer Festival embodies the efforts to utilise the summer break effectively by offering high-quality programmes that blend education and entertainment. These initiatives strive to develop students’ skills and strengthen their connection to national values and heritage, aligning with the UAE’s ambitions to create an innovation-led knowledge economy.
Aimed at children and youth aged 6 to 18, as well as families and various visitor categories, the festival offers a comprehensive summer experience that redefines the summer break as a time for learning, skill acquisition, talent discovery, and the promotion of national and social values.
The “Sheikh Zayed Summer Festival 2026” ushers in a unique, integrated summer experience in the UAE and the region. It is anchored in a modern vision that transforms the summer holiday into a platform that merges education, entertainment, sports, culture, and innovation, fostering a generation equipped with future-ready skills.
The summer programme is structured around four main pillars: educational, community, heritage, and health and sports, ensuring a diverse content that meets the needs of different age groups, providing a balanced experience that combines knowledge, entertainment, and skill development.
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed stated:
• “Fostering a culture of security and safety, enhancing digital awareness, and preparing qualified national cadres in technical fields are fundamental pillars for sustaining development.”