The UAE is establishing a new national programme designed to connect scientific education, research and development more closely with the needs of the country’s strategic industries and advanced technology sectors.
The programme was established under a decision by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and is intended to create a more integrated approach to education, scientific research and industrial development.
A higher committee will oversee the programme and will be chaired by UAE Vice-President and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. An executive committee will also be established under the supervision of the higher committee, with UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi appointed as its chairman.
The initiative aims to ensure that scientific research in the UAE is focused on areas that are important to the country’s economic and technological development.
One of its main objectives is to establish an integrated national education and research system that connects academic learning and scientific research with the requirements of strategic sectors and advanced technologies.
The programme will also focus on developing national talent by supporting investment in promising Emirati students and professionals. Training will target science, advanced technology and other priority fields expected to play an important role in the country’s future economy.
Officials also expect the programme to strengthen the UAE’s industrial capabilities and improve the competitiveness of locally produced goods. Another objective is to support national sovereignty in vital sectors by developing domestic expertise and technological capabilities.
The programme will operate through several key areas, including technical education, national talent development, attracting international talent and advancing research and innovation in scientific and technological fields.
The government said the initiative is intended to bring education, research and industry closer together, helping ensure that skills developed through the national education system match the requirements of employers and emerging industries.
The focus on advanced technologies reflects the UAE’s wider efforts to develop a knowledge-based economy and increase its role in fields requiring specialised scientific and technical expertise.
By linking research priorities with strategic industries, the programme could also help improve the transfer of scientific discoveries into practical applications and commercial products.
The development of national talent will form a central part of the initiative, with greater emphasis expected on preparing students and researchers for emerging areas where specialised skills are in growing demand.
The programme will also seek to attract skilled international talent, creating a broader research and innovation environment while supporting the development of domestic capabilities.
Through the new structure, the UAE aims to create closer coordination between government institutions, educational organisations, researchers and industry, giving scientific development a more direct role in supporting the country’s long-term economic and technological priorities.
