The UAE will open its first military university in January to train the next generation of armed forces officers.
Zayed Military University will prepare cadets with a combination of academic courses and military training.
It will be the first in the region to offer full undergraduate degrees to military students, officials said. Specialised colleges for the army, air force and navy exist elsewhere in the Gulf.
"But this is the first university where cadets can be trained in any military branch under one roof," Brig Gen Waleed Al Naqbi, deputy commandant of the university told The National.
This is the first university where cadets can be trained in any military branch under one roof,
Brig Gen Waleed Al Naqbi,
Zayed Military University
Its first batch of 100 male Emirati high school pupils will enrol in January 2022. High school pupils can apply once they have completed their 16 months of national service.
A rigorous application procedure has been put in place and those who pass stringent health, physical, and educational standards will be considered.
Initially, only men will be accepted but there are plans to enrol women candidates in the near future.
The first class will study at a temporary facility in the Hamim Beach area on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi and will move to a permanent campus when it is ready. Candidates will be trained for three years before deciding on specialisation courses to join a branch of the military.
Those who complete the courses will graduate as officers with a bachelor of science, majoring in security studies and defence, Brig Gen Al Naqbi said.
"In the near future, we will be having more degrees in different specialities to fulfil the future market needs in the defence and security sector."
Officers and lecturers with military backgrounds are being recruited to teach.
“We look forward to seeing the first intake of UAE military cadets entering Zayed Military University,” said Mohammed Al Bawardi, Minister of State for Defence Affairs.
“They will gain the necessary professional and academic experiences and refine their leadership skills.”
Brig Gen Al Naqbi said the new university will “provide a superior level of military training”.
“The first batch of military cadets is preparing to enter history, as we are approaching the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the UAE and embarking on the journey of the next 50 years that will witness more achievements.
“There is no doubt that the challenges of the modern era require appropriate solutions, and this is exactly what we seek.
“With the establishment of Zayed Military University, there is no doubt that the graduates will be ready to serve their homeland.”
Zayed Military University has tied up with Rabdan Academy, a government-owned institution in Abu Dhabi that offers both academic and vocational education.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
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THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm
Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Top speed: 250kph
Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: Dh146,999
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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Uefa Men's Player of the Year: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Uefa Women's Player of the Year: Lucy Bronze (Lyon)
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Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool)
Defender: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Midfielder: Frenkie de Jong (Ajax)
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Uefa President's Award: Eric Cantona
Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net
Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.
Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.
A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.
Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Test series fixtures
(All matches start at 2pm UAE)
1st Test Lord's, London from Thursday to Monday
2nd Test Nottingham from July 14-18
3rd Test The Oval, London from July 27-31
4th Test Manchester from August 4-8
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
