New civil security programme a first in UAE

Students listen in an Introduction to Civil Security class at Khalifa University, part of the new master's programme in security. Andrew Henderson / The National

ABU DHABI // The UAE is ill-prepared for man-made or natural disasters, academics and professionals say. To change that, Khalifa University has launched a master's programme in international and civil security, the first of its kind in the country.

Among the first 17 students to take the course is Rashid al Kindi, who works in the strategy department in the office of the Interior Minister, Sheikh Saif al Nahyan, and also for Abu Dhabi Police.

"We have found there is a need for civil security strategy in natural or human disaster," he said."It's really part of our role and responsibility in the UAE. We need a crisis management department which we are building now."

Dr David Goldfischer, head of the programme, says there has been a long-existing need for such a specialisation here. "It's the sort of thing Emiratis have had to travel abroad for until now," he explained.

"There are a range of needs in this area and all the agencies such as the police and the CNIA [Critical National Infrastructure Authority] have been very interested in sending students here."

One of the course's areas of focus will be the whole subject of disaster response, Dr Goldfischer said.

Like every country in the world, the UAE is susceptible to terrorism, he said, but that particular danger is just one of "a long list of threats" the country must prepare to cope with, he said.

"The nuclear danger is still with us and the spread of other weapons of mass destruction is also still with us."

Paul Kurtz, managing partner at Good Harbor Consulting in Abu Dhabi, which advises many government security agencies, says the new programme is a vital one.

Universities are essential, he said, in providing an academic environment in which professionals can critically assess and analyse case studies arising from disasters such as the attacks of September 11, 2001, or Hurricane Katrina, in order to see what governments did right and wrong.

That process, he said, will help officials plan for emergencies from big fires to terrorism, equipping professionals with the academic background and experience to back up their professional training.

"When these people come out of these programmes and go back into the office, there will be a much greater sense of confidence in their capacity to handle events that may happen in the UAE," he said.

Ali al Ameri, another student in the course, works at the Department of Civil Service and says security is crucial for the region.

"This is a rich region by its natural resources and we have some big neighbours in the region," he said. "There are security issues going on that are obvious and clear for everyone. There are threats to the UAE and GCC every day, we just don't hear about them."

Hamad al Ameri, a student who is also the head of technical support at the National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority, said: "Each country has its own unique threats."

The UAE is one of the safest countries in the region, he said, but the challenge is staying that way.

"Since the UAE's establishment, its biggest asset isn't the oil but its security. Tthat's why we have such high foreign direct investment," added Hamed al Ameri. "For companies who want offices here, this is a priority for the UAE."

Similarly tourism, which contributes 11 per cent of Abu Dhabi's GDP and almost twice as much of Dubai's, relies on a safe environment, said Mr al Kindi.

"If the country's not secured, tourists will not come to the UAE," he said. "That's important for the country to protect. We don't want to depend on oil. Over the next 50 years, we need to invest in something else."