Enterprising Emiratis are grasping a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help lead the UAE into the future with the support of some of the country's brightest minds.
The National Experts Programme was launched by President Sheikh Mohamed, in 2019 when he was Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, to equip talented citizens with the knowledge and skills to shape the nation's development on the international stage for years to come.
The eight-month mentorship scheme pairs high achievers with industry leaders, chief executives and government ministers who share their experiences and expertise to provide a platform for success.
Applicants must have 10 years' experience, including five in their sector, and should have contributed to important national projects.
Applications for the third intake of the initiative, which is focused on economic growth, social development, and sustainability and infrastructure, are now being accepted through the NEP website.
“The National Experts Programme provides a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for aspiring Emiratis to play a central role in shaping a better future for citizens and residents,” said Ahmed Talib Al Shamsi, director of the NEP.
“We continue to focus on developing our leaders of tomorrow while also ensuring those leaders have deep expertise and specialisation in the sectors that are the foundation of our future economy.”
To date, 46 Emiratis have graduated from the programme and seven of their projects are being implemented.
The National spoke to graduates from the second class of the programme, who are already a driving force behind the Emirates' progress in everything from the safe use of nuclear energy to the global space race.
The woman leading nuclear safety
Meera Al Mheiri is a woman with great responsibility as the first Emirati nuclear safety inspector at the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation.
It is a role crucial to the nation as the UAE oversees the rapid development of its Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, which is expected to produce 85 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s clean electricity by 2025 and will be key to efforts to cut carbon emissions under the net zero strategy.
Ms Al Mheiri, 29, obtained a bachelor's degree in mechanical and nuclear engineering from Khalifa University and a master's degree in international affairs from King’s College London, specialising in surveillance and espionage.
She is on several advisory boards and acts as the UAE's youth ambassador in Germany.
Despite this list of achievements, she was aware she still needed help on her learning journey.
In the fellowship programme, she explored the policymaking process of the UAE under the guidance of the country's secretary general, Maryam Al Hammadi.
“I have been leading many strategic projects in terms of positioning the UAE in the nuclear field and providing a regulatory framework that aligns with the UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy policy and this is where you can see how important having a strong policy is but there was still so much that I learnt from the fellowship. It was an incredible journey that changed my life,” she said.
Ms Al Mheiri designed a policymaking framework that identified gaps in working systems and offered solutions.
“I think it is important for policymakers to know what a good policy is,” said Ms Al Mheiri, who was the youngest fellow to be selected.
“They need to apply the process in their field and not just sit in their offices. They need to go to the field and see in reality how their policies are implemented and what good it brings to the people ― that is the end goal ― policies that are good for the people and the country.
“The fellowship has helped me create this model and I currently am advising policymakers ― helping create and amend current and future systems that will serve the nation and the people.”
Championing culture from the ground up
Maisa Al Qassimi, 42, has been at the heart of Abu Dhabi's cultural development in recent years.
As acting project director for Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, she is a significant part of an eagerly anticipated development.
The world-renowned museum will be a jewel on Saadiyat Island, joining Louvre Abu Dhabi, when it opens its doors in 2025.
She was nominated for the programme and is grateful for a phone call that ushered in a new chapter in her life.
“I am not sure who nominated me. I just received a call,” she said.
“I was intimidated at first but this turned out to be one of the most influential things in my life,” she said.
Her mentor was Minister of Culture and Youth Noura Al Kaabi, who helped to broaden her horizons and see the bigger picture of how the UAE turns plans into reality.
“I don’t work on a federal level so this opened up to me what the UAE was doing. Being in a room with all the ministers and leaders was life changing,” she said.
“After the programme, I started to look at everything as a wider project and not in silos but in relation to the whole UAE.”
Her work in the programme involved setting museum policies at federal level, with a focus on helping smaller establishments to thrive.
“These museums impact tourism, the cultural and creative industry among other things. I do feel that the UAE can do a lot to support smaller institutions and museums,” she said.
One part of the programme involved fellows visiting different areas of the UAE to develop tailored strategies for its development.
“We all had different mindsets and backgrounds so when we came together it was truly a powerhouse ― being on one table, speaking [about] how we can impact this area or town was extraordinary,” she said.
“Looking at something at a strategic level and contributing to the growth of your own country is a chance that not many countries provide. To say that I was able to shape something for the UAE is historic,” she said.
A launchpad for ambitions in space
Fatima Al Shamsi's stellar career has been propelled to new heights by the NEP.
The head of space policy and legislation at the UAE Space Agency was mentored by Omran Sharaf, project director of the UAE's Mars mission who was recently chosen to lead the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space for the next two years.
The 30-year-old's mission under the programme was to develop the national space competitiveness strategy for the next 50 years.
“I worked with Mr Sharaf and … I shadow him nationally and internationally,” she said.
“By doing this programme, you will be working on nationwide issues with the full support of the government. You will be gaining added knowledge and expertise, technically and practically.
“You shouldn’t even hesitate if you get a chance to be part of the fellowship.”
A blueprint for clean energy strategy
Ali Al Shimmari, 33, who is an international assets manager at the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company, says he has become a “better version of myself”.
He relished the chance to be mentored by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology.
“This programme was a golden opportunity. It is a transformational experience that was a game changer. It helped me to develop a better version of myself.”
He worked on developing an integrated hydrogen strategy for the UAE.
Last year, Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister for Climate Change and Environment, said the country was at the “crest of the wave” of hydrogen’s increasing importance.
She announced the launch of a UAE Hydrogen Leadership road map which she said would play a key role in the country’s low-carbon transition.
“It changes your mindset from a competitive one to a collaborative one,” Mr Al Shimmari said.
“I advise everyone to be part of this programme because first they will witness exponential growth in their professional network and, secondly, it will put them on the right track in terms of their sector and give them the tools to be leaders. Last but not least, it brings them closer to the decision makers.”
Helping businesses grow
Sultan Al Junaibi, 30, is a senior private equity associate at the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.
He immediately recognised the benefits of the NEP, which would afford him the chance to bolster his own skills while helping others.
“I have been working for years with institutions globally and I wanted to give back what I learnt to the UAE and improve my leadership skills,” he said.
He said the scheme allowed him to develop a "leadership mindset – agile and analytical – which enables me to think in different ways and see things from different angles”.
His mentor was minister of state, Ahmed Al Sayegh.
Mr Al Junaibi set up a platform for SME (small-to-medium enterprise) owners to manage, register and fund businesses online.
He said such businesses have a major role to play in the economy.
“Around 45 percent of our non-oil GDP comes from SMEs," he said.
"They are big contributors to our economy and help us in increasing diversity of sources of income.”
Sharing a passion for education
Kalthoom AlBlooshi has dedicated her professional life to education and is a firm believer in the adage you should never stop learning.
Ms AlBlooshi, 40, recently joined Apple Middle East as their education lead, having previously worked in senior roles for the major schools group Gems and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Dubai's private education regulator.
She joined the programme to further develop her own abilities.
“This was a very different type of leadership programme,” she said.
“For the first time ever it is dedicated to my expertise. It is not dedicated to developing my leadership skills only, but created a platform to understand my sector better and engage with the expertise from my sector as well.
“It has many specialties that are not in any other programme while at the same time giving you the opportunity to network with other fellow Emiratis who are experts in their own field. That the programme focuses on your expertise, is a first,” she said.
She understands how important a good education can be in allowing people to make meaningful contributions to society.
“The concept of schooling started to ensure people are enabled to play an active role in the economy and society, which provided people the opportunities to explore multiple paths,” she said.
“Both of my parents were not educated and a good education is what made me the person I am today and because the country is committed to investing in me as well as myself putting the time and effort, I continue to develop and grow.
“That's why I am committed to ensure more and more of the young generation see the value of education and to inspire them to continue to learn.
She was mentored by Jameela Al Muhairi, Minister of State for Public Education, and her major project was based on improving education outcomes by tracking progress more closely.
“One of the things I love about this programme is that it develops the capacity of the expertise level for the participants, which is something that does not exist in any other programmes,” she said.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
The most expensive investment mistake you will ever make
When is the best time to start saving in a pension? The answer is simple – at the earliest possible moment. The first pound, euro, dollar or dirham you invest is the most valuable, as it has so much longer to grow in value. If you start in your twenties, it could be invested for 40 years or more, which means you have decades for compound interest to work its magic.
“You get growth upon growth upon growth, followed by more growth. The earlier you start the process, the more it will all roll up,” says Chris Davies, chartered financial planner at The Fry Group in Dubai.
This table shows how much you would have in your pension at age 65, depending on when you start and how much you pay in (it assumes your investments grow 7 per cent a year after charges and you have no other savings).
|
Age
|
$250 a month
|
$500 a month
|
$1,000 a month
|
|
25
|
$640,829
|
$1,281,657
|
$2,563,315
|
|
35
|
$303,219
|
$606,439
|
$1,212,877
|
|
45
|
$131,596
|
$263,191
|
$526,382
|
|
55
|
$44,351
|
$88,702
|
$177,403
|
The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X
Price, as tested: Dh84,000
Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km
Four-day collections of TOH
Day Indian Rs (Dh)
Thursday 500.75 million (25.23m)
Friday 280.25m (14.12m)
Saturday 220.75m (11.21m)
Sunday 170.25m (8.58m)
Total 1.19bn (59.15m)
(Figures in millions, approximate)
South Africa v India schedule
Tests: 1st Test Jan 5-9, Cape Town; 2nd Test Jan 13-17, Centurion; 3rd Test Jan 24-28, Johannesburg
ODIs: 1st ODI Feb 1, Durban; 2nd ODI Feb 4, Centurion; 3rd ODI Feb 7, Cape Town; 4th ODI Feb 10, Johannesburg; 5th ODI Feb 13, Port Elizabeth; 6th ODI Feb 16, Centurion
T20Is: 1st T20I Feb 18, Johannesburg; 2nd T20I Feb 21, Centurion; 3rd T20I Feb 24, Cape Town
How%20champions%20are%20made
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Movie: Saheb, Biwi aur Gangster 3
Producer: JAR Films
Director: Tigmanshu Dhulia
Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Jimmy Sheirgill, Mahie Gill, Chitrangda Singh, Kabir Bedi
Rating: 3 star
RESULTS
Men – semi-finals
57kg – Tak Chuen Suen (MAC) beat Phuong Xuan Nguyen (VIE) 29-28; Almaz Sarsembekov (KAZ) beat Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) by points 30-27.
67kg – Mohammed Mardi (UAE) beat Huong The Nguyen (VIE) by points 30-27; Narin Wonglakhon (THA) v Mojtaba Taravati Aram (IRI) by points 29-28.
60kg – Yerkanat Ospan (KAZ) beat Amir Hosein Kaviani (IRI) 30-27; Long Doan Nguyen (VIE) beat Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) 29-28
63.5kg – Abil Galiyev (KAZ) beat Truong Cao Phat (VIE) 30-27; Nouredine Samir (UAE) beat Norapat Khundam (THA) RSC round 3.
71kg – Shaker Al Tekreeti (IRQ) beat Fawzi Baltagi (LBN) 30-27; Amine El Moatassime (UAE) beat Man Kongsib (THA) 29-28
81kg – Ilyass Hbibali (UAE) beat Alexandr Tsarikov (KAZ) 29-28; Khaled Tarraf (LBN) beat Mustafa Al Tekreeti (IRQ) 30-27
86kg – Ali Takaloo (IRI) beat Mohammed Al Qahtani (KSA) RSC round 1; Emil Umayev (KAZ) beat Ahmad Bahman (UAE) TKO round
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
Under 19 Cricket World Cup, Asia Qualifier
Fixtures
Friday, April 12, Malaysia v UAE
Saturday, April 13, UAE v Nepal
Monday, April 15, UAE v Kuwait
Tuesday, April 16, UAE v Singapore
Thursday, April 18, UAE v Oman
UAE squad
Aryan Lakra (captain), Aaron Benjamin, Akasha Mohammed, Alishan Sharafu, Anand Kumar, Ansh Tandon, Ashwanth Valthapa, Karthik Meiyappan, Mohammed Faraazuddin, Rishab Mukherjee, Niel Lobo, Osama Hassan, Vritya Aravind, Wasi Shah
The biog
Favourite car: Ferrari
Likes the colour: Black
Best movie: Avatar
Academic qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in media production from the Higher Colleges of Technology and diploma in production from the New York Film Academy
The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe
Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
Liverpool's all-time goalscorers
Ian Rush 346
Roger Hunt 285
Mohamed Salah 250
Gordon Hodgson 241
Billy Liddell 228
The biog
Name: Timothy Husband
Nationality: New Zealand
Education: Degree in zoology at The University of Sydney
Favourite book: Lemurs of Madagascar by Russell A Mittermeier
Favourite music: Billy Joel
Weekends and holidays: Talking about animals or visiting his farm in Australia
Andor
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Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Book%20Details
%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3EThree%20Centuries%20of%20Travel%20Writing%20by%20Muslim%20Women%3C%2Fem%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EEditors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiobhan%20Lambert-Hurley%2C%20Daniel%20Majchrowicz%2C%20Sunil%20Sharma%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EIndiana%20University%20Press%3B%20532%20pages%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
if you go
The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
The trip
The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles.
Du Football Champions
The fourth season of du Football Champions was launched at Gitex on Wednesday alongside the Middle East’s first sports-tech scouting platform.“du Talents”, which enables aspiring footballers to upload their profiles and highlights reels and communicate directly with coaches, is designed to extend the reach of the programme, which has already attracted more than 21,500 players in its first three years.
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
