This year’s summer programs by the National Fund have proven to be more than just recreational activities for students during the vacation; they have transformed into an educational and creative space that enhances national identity, nurtures talents, and opens new horizons for children and youth to learn and experiment. In this context, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak: National Fund’s Summer Programs as an Educational and Creative Platform emerged as a clear message affirming that investing in future generations begins with instilling a sense of belonging, pride in identity, and creating an engaging educational environment that combines knowledge and enjoyment.
A National Message Based on Leadership Vision
His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Chairman of the National Fund, confirmed that the summer programs, which concluded their first week under the slogan “Proud of the UAE” at 50 locations nationwide, aim to prepare future generations who are confident in their national identity and capable of bearing the responsibility of building and advancing, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, who prioritizes the youth of the UAE.
He explained that the current cycle is based on a firm belief that national identity should be alive and sustainable, reflecting pride in everything Emirati, from history and authentic values to a progressive present and an ambitious future. He added that Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak: National Fund’s Summer Programs as an Educational and Creative Platform combines instilling values and providing knowledge, linking participants to the country’s heritage, symbols, and achievements through various activities designed to suit the participating schools, universities, and centers.
Interactive Activities Combining Education and Creativity
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak’s follow-up on the Fund’s summer activities highlighted the importance of this initiative for students, parents, and trainers, after reviewing the workshops, initiatives, and talent discovery it provided, alongside its role in introducing the historical symbols of the UAE and encouraging innovation. The feedback collected from participants reflected a positive interaction with these programs and their clear impact on the summer vacation.
He emphasized the need for Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak: National Fund’s Summer Programs as an Educational and Creative Platform to embrace contemporary concepts, particularly artificial intelligence, and to offer engaging and impactful content that reaches students in an enjoyable way. He also called for activities that provide practical introductions for new generations to the UAE’s identity, values, heritage, national symbols, and glorious history, in addition to supporting talents and fostering a spirit of innovation.
He confirmed that the success achieved by these programs serves as a motivation for further quantitative and qualitative development, stressing the importance of keeping registration open at all locations to accommodate as many interested students as possible. He noted that the primary goal should remain present among organizers, trainers, and supervisors: to instill the values of Emirati national identity in the hearts of children, making it a part of their daily lives through creativity, entertainment, training, competitions, and other stimulating educational means.
Wide Partnerships and Notable Results
For his part, His Excellency Yasser Al Qurgawi, Director General of the National Fund, stated that the conclusion of the first week of summer programs marked a successful launch for an exceptional season, witnessing the implementation of over 1,250 educational, creative, and interactive activities across more than 50 locations throughout the Emirates, with wide participation from students, families, and partners, in line with the Fund’s mission to reinforce national identity and enhance belonging among new generations.
He added that what was achieved during the first week reflects the significant effort exerted by the team, partners, and volunteers to provide an inspiring experience that blends knowledge and enjoyment, granting students the opportunity to discover their homeland and identity through innovative methods based on creativity, participation, and direct experience. He pointed out that Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak: National Fund’s Summer Programs as an Educational and Creative Platform also manifests in this initiative’s ability to turn learning into a vibrant practice, making the student a partner in content creation rather than just a passive recipient.
Al Qurgawi explained that the activities were carefully designed to instill pride in the UAE among participants and to educate them about its history, national symbols, and achievements. Students participated in designing artistic panels that reflect the country’s history and its cultural landmarks, created postal stamps expressing national identity, and wrote thank-you letters and national poems expressing their love and loyalty to the UAE and its leadership, utilizing modern techniques and artificial intelligence tools that added a sophisticated creative dimension to the outputs.
He also noted the Fund’s commitment to educating students about the concept of homeland and its importance in human life, highlighting the pioneering role of wise leadership in building the state and enhancing its regional and international standing, deepening feelings of pride in national achievements. Additionally, he clarified that the Arabic language was strongly represented in the first week’s programs through innovative activities based on play and imagination, such as word painting, representing meanings, building stories, and reimagining vocabulary, aiming to transform language learning into an interactive experience that enhances pride in Arabic as the language of identity, culture, and beauty.
The programs also included field trips to heritage sites, museums, forts, and historical castles, focusing on narrating the story of union and introducing the pivotal milestones that contributed to the establishment of the UAE, connecting new generations to their national history and increasing their awareness of the ongoing development journey in the country. Thus, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak: National Fund’s Summer Programs as an Educational and Creative Platform is not only embodied in its slogans but also in its practical content that connects the past with the present and confidently anticipates the future.
The Director General of the National Fund also emphasized that the values of loyalty and belonging are not presented as theoretical concepts but are embodied through practical and interactive activities, including simulating life situations that reflect loyalty to the homeland, using values cards to link national identity with daily behavior, alongside creative activities through which students expressed national symbols and explained their significance via writing, drawing, and acting. He clarified that the goal is to instill in students the conviction that national identity is not just information to be memorized but a system of values and behaviors practiced in daily life, and that loyalty and belonging manifest in responsibility, positivity, and active participation in serving the homeland.
Al Qurgawi concluded by noting that the results achieved in the first week reflect the success of the Fund’s vision in providing quality programs that prepare a generation proud of its identity, committed to its language and values, and capable of continuing the path of building and leadership, emphasizing that the coming weeks will witness more specialized activities and programs that expand the circle of benefit and enhance participants’ connection to their homeland and national identity.