Effective education is vital, essential for future of our young people

Providing effective education plays a vital role and is essential for the future of Emirati young men and women and the whole nation, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, said on Monday, and noted that the UAE is moving the right direction thanks to "wonderful examples of young Emiratis."

"We must provide an education that empowers our youth to embrace technology and its associated potential, while at the same time unleashing their creativity and innovative capacities. We must provide Arab youth with an education that cherishes their Arabic heritage, particularly the Arabic language, while at the same time enabling them to be critical and nimble thinkers," he said in opening remarks at the Arab Knowledge Forum, held under his patronage at the American University in Dubai, or AUD, with the theme "Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Capacity-Building of the Youth in the UAE."

Stressing that the youth will reshape Emirati culture, he said, "We will be stronger for their energy, vision, and commitment."

"The UAE has always moved in the right direction, as our country is filled with wonderful examples of young Emiratis who are capitalising on their technical competence, their creativity, and their innovation particularly in the cultural industries. "

Quoting President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan who once said, "Work is the real criteria of patriotism, and our biggest achievement is the development of Emirati citizens," Sheikh Nahyan confirmed that the leaders of the UAE support the national commitment to building and maintaining a knowledge economy and to achieving a much higher rate of employment for our young people, especially in the private sector.

"You will be dealing with issues that confront the entire Arab world. I maintain the conviction that until all Arab nations educate their young women and young men well, Arab countries will be marginalised and inadequate competitors in the global society and the global economy," Sheikh Nahyan concluded.

The Arab Knowledge Forum was convened with the participation of the leading universities and key foundations within this annual initiative of the University Leadership Consortium.

U.S. Ambassador to the UAE Barbara A. Leaf addressed the students saying that "however overused a phrase, you are the future! In a country and in a city that incubates, accelerates, and fosters ideas, talent and enterprises designed to shape the future."

She urged the students not to wait to have reached a certain perch or position of authority in an organisation to live up to their potential as leaders.

"Your first opportunities to demonstrate leadership are in the classroom. You are all potential leaders, right here, right now," Ambassador Leaf added.

The Arab Knowledge Forum brought together leading figures from industry, academic leadership, and relevant governmental agencies as well as cohorts of the brightest young graduates and students of the leading universities members of the University Leadership Consortium for a constructive dialogue to enhance the empowerment of the youth within the UAE.

A new cohort of Knights, including several AUD graduates, was recognised by Sheikh Nahyan for their contribution to the BUNYAN Capacity-Building Initiative for the Empowerment of the Youth.