The UAE is sending future Emirati leaders to the UK military's Sandhurst academy for an exclusive summer leadership programme.
Aqdar, the Khalifa Empowerment Programme, is hosting the fourth edition of the Empowering Future Leaders summer camp at the British Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
The initiative is to help the next generation acquire leadership and personal skills from one of the best institutions in the world.
The camp, which runs from July 31 to August 15, will facilitate international exchange between those taking part, who will share knowledge, experiences and dialogue on several topics of importance.
There are 104 male and female participants taking part in the camp, which is delivered under the supervision of academics and experts from Sandhurst.
Among the participants, which include UK students, are students from the military and police academies in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, in addition to Zayed II Military College, Khalifa bin Zayed Air College, Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum Naval College, as well as groups of Emirati youth.
The initiative offers Emirati youth tools to enhance their self-confidence to achieve aspirations, foster leadership skills such as the ability to carry discussions, engage in active listening, and work under pressure as part of the Pressure and Leadership Development programme.
It will also allow participants to overcome challenges, emphasise leadership and military skills and recognise relative values.
"It makes a huge difference," said Dr Ibrahim Aldabal, chief executive of Aqdar, of the programme.
"It builds character and will help prepare them for the future. They will be able to understand and read different situations and plan accordingly.
"They will learn basic leadership skills."
Known as one of the world's most prominent military academies, Sandhurst has been described as the place where future leaders get to know each other.
Established in 1812, it trains about 1,500 foreign students every year to be military leaders, including members of royal families from the Middle East.
Notable graduates from the UAE include President Sheikh Mohamed, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai.
Sandhurst: the military academy in the UK that trains Arab royals
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Sheikh Zayed greeting his son Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed on his graduation from Sandhurst militray academy in 1979. Alittihad -
Royal Marine Cadets outside Sandhurst in 1878. Getty Images -
Royal Military College Sandhurst in 1881. Getty Images -
Cadets outside Sandhurst in 1881. Getty Images -
Winston Churchill, on the left, as a Sandhurst cadet in 1894. Getty Images -
Sandhurst cadets during a visit of King George V in 1913. Getty Images) -
Cadets during physical exercises at Sandhurst College in 1925. Getty Images -
Army Cadets marching out of the gymnasium and preparing for Bayonet Fencing Drill at Sandhurst College in 1938. Getty Images -
Princess Elizabeth inspecting the Guard of Honor at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, 1949. Getty Images -
British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher inspecting the Sovereign's Parade at Sandhurst in 1980. Getty Images -
403692 02: Major Richard Winstanley, the Academy Adjutant, rides his horse during a rehearsal for the 138th Sovereigns Parade in 2002. Getty Images -
British Prime Minister Tony Blair inspects Officer cadets after they completed their training at Sandhurst in 2003. Getty Images) -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, attends his son's Passing Out Parade at Sandhurst in 2006. Getty Images -
Prince Harry is met by Commandant Major General Andrew Ritchie at Sandhurst Royal Military Academy. Prince Harry then began his officer training, in 2005. Getty Images -
Prince Harry takes part in the Trooping Of New Colours alongside his fellow officer cadets at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in 2005. Getty Images -
Prince Harry in action during his training at Sandhurst Military Academy in 2006. Getty Images -
Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince Harry, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Elizabeth II and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall pose together after the passing-out Sovereign's Parade at Sandhurst in 2006. Getty Images -
Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry salute Queen Elizabeth II as she leaves the passing-out Sovereign's Parade at Sandhurst in 2006. Getty Images -
Officer cadets from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst change their clothes as they take a break before beginning a command task at a checkpoint as they take part in Exercise Long Reach in the Brecon Beacons in 2013. Getty Images -
An officer cadet from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst crosses a river during a command task in the Brecon Beacons in 2013. Getty Images -
Graduating Sandhurst cadets march into the academy following the conclusion of the sovereigns parade at Sandhurst in 2015. Getty Images -
Prince Harry inspects the graduating officer cadets at Sandhurst in 2017. Getty Images
