The Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Programme has marked a milestone moment for Emirati education, honouring its first cohort of six graduates while welcoming roughly 100 new scholars into its third intake at an orientation session held at the Grand Hyatt Dubai.
The event brought together students, officials and representatives of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority to mark the transition of the programme's earliest scholars into working life, and to prepare its newest cohort for study abroad and at home.
First graduates reflect programme's breadth
The inaugural six graduates completed degrees across a wide span of disciplines: architecture, economics and finance, sustainability and engineering, Asian and Middle Eastern studies, and IT and data analytics. Their range reflects the programme's stated aim of matching Emirati talent to the sectors Dubai expects to need in the years ahead.
Across its first two cohorts, the programme has supported 152 students at around 44 universities and higher education institutions in the UAE and abroad, with 87 scholars enrolled at universities ranked among the world's top 100.
A third cohort with a wider focus
The new cohort, numbering around 100 students, spans seven fields of study: artificial intelligence and digital technologies, engineering, medicine and life sciences, business finance and economics, policy law and social sciences, natural sciences, and creative fields including media and design. The spread signals an emphasis on emerging technology and knowledge-based sectors alongside traditional academic paths.
Applicants are chosen on three criteria: academic excellence at secondary school level, the international ranking of the university and its programme, and how closely the chosen field of study aligns with Dubai's future economic sector requirements.
Leadership underscores investment in talent
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum affirmed Dubai's commitment to investing in national talent through high-quality educational opportunities at leading global universities. He said: "Emirati scholarship students carry Dubai's and the UAE's ambitions towards new horizons. We believe every educational journey begins with a dream, but its true value is realised when that dream is transformed into knowledge, experience and achievement in service to their country."
He added: "Every student we sponsor today is an investment in Dubai's future. Empowering every student is a priority in building future national leaders who create opportunities. Our responsibility is to provide our young people with the best learning opportunities in the world, and their responsibility is to transform these opportunities into knowledge, achievement and impact that serve their country and community."
Her Excellency Aisha Miran said the programme "embodies the vision of our wise leadership to invest in people and supports the objectives of Dubai's Education 33 Strategy by developing qualified Emirati talent to lead the sectors of the future and by strengthening the global competitiveness of Emirati graduates."