His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Chairman of the National Fund, has reiterated the belief of Emirati youth in the noble aim of education and empowerment as a means to serve the nation across various sectors. This reflects the deep awareness of young Emiratis regarding their national duty, embodying the genuine values instilled by the late founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul. Today, these values continue to be upheld by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, who places youth at the pinnacle of his national priorities, firmly believing they are the nation’s future and strength.
Open Meeting
This statement was made during Sheikh Nahyan’s recent reception of the graduates from the fifth cohort of the “Bridges International” program, organised by the National Fund in collaboration with various local and international entities, particularly industrial institutions in Germany. The open meeting provided a platform for alumni to share their experiences after six months of continuous training within the UAE and in Germany, where they underwent practical training in nine leading German companies across diverse sectors. The gathering included 20 university graduates from the UAE, accompanied by Yasser Al Qargawi, Director General of the National Fund.
His Excellency emphasised that the National Fund, in addition to its pivotal role in enhancing national identity across all community segments, is unwavering in its focus on empowering Emirati youth. Whether directing them towards the private sector or entrepreneurship, this initiative aligns with the essence of national identity that celebrates excellence, distinction, and innovation.
In line with this mission, the Bridges International programme was meticulously designed to provide Emirati university graduates with comprehensive exposure, training, and integration into advanced German manufacturing environments. This initiative enables participants to benefit from the extensive expertise present in these German industrial sectors, following a thorough programme developed by international training experts using the latest global methodologies.
Inspiring Examples
Sheikh Nahyan highlighted that “Bridges International” exemplifies one of the inspiring models adopted by the fund to contribute effectively to achieving the government’s visionary goal of building a sustainable knowledge economy for future generations. The programme aims to open new horizons for university students and graduates while preparing a generation of Emirati technology pioneers. He expressed gratitude towards the Al Rostamani Group for their support of the Bridges International initiative, recognising it as a sincere national effort for the benefit of the future of the beloved homeland.
The graduates have expressed that their participation in the “Bridges International” programme marked a significant turning point in their professional journeys. It offered them the opportunity to engage with a diverse international work environment, broadening their intellectual and professional horizons. Their experiences working alongside global teams in Germany intensified their determination to excel, as they recognised that building bridges between countries extends to scientific, technical, and humanitarian collaboration. They articulated their ambition to be among the youth shaping the future and excelling across various fields.