The UAE Ministry of Finance has signed a strategic partnership with the Asset Management Academy (AMA) and Turner & Townsend International Ltd. to roll out Institute of Asset Management (IAM) training programs for government talent, a move aimed at sharpening how federal entities manage public assets.
For UAE government employees and entities responsible for infrastructure, facilities, and other public assets, this means access to structured, internationally recognized training built around global best practice rather than ad hoc, in-house learning.
What the training covers
The IAM programs span a wide range of subjects: core asset management principles, asset lifecycle management, risk management, performance improvement, artificial intelligence, strategic planning, and maximizing the sustainable value of assets over time.
Critically, the courses are delivered in accordance with the ISO 55000 series of standards, the internationally recognized framework for asset management. That alignment is meant to ensure that skills gained through the program are benchmarked against practices used elsewhere in the world, not just tailored to local processes.
Flexible delivery for government staff
Recognizing that government employees across the UAE have varying schedules and locations, the training will be offered through flexible formats: in-person, remote, or hybrid participation. This structure allows federal entities to integrate the training into existing workflows without requiring staff to be physically present for every session.
Why the partnership matters
The agreement brings together three organizations with distinct roles. The Ministry of Finance is driving the initiative from the government side, the Asset Management Academy contributes specialized training expertise, and Turner & Townsend International Ltd. brings international consultancy experience in asset and infrastructure management.
The stated goal of the partnership is twofold: improve the efficiency of asset management across government entities and build a pipeline of qualified national talent capable of applying these standards going forward.
Graeme Baxter, Country Manager in the UAE, described the intent behind the deal: "The strategic partnership with the Ministry of Finance reflects a shared commitment to strengthening national asset management capabilities through the delivery of IAM programs and certifications, while facilitating the transfer of international expertise and best practices. Together, we aim to support federal government entities in adopting globally recognized asset management standards, contributing to the UAE's continued growth and long-term development."
The partnership was also linked to H.E. Mariam Mohammed Al Amiri on the Ministry of Finance side, underscoring the initiative's positioning within the ministry's broader efforts around government capability-building.
By anchoring training in ISO 55000 standards and pairing it with flexible delivery models, the initiative signals an effort to move UAE government asset management practices closer to international benchmarks while developing homegrown expertise to sustain that standard over the long term.