The Zayed Education Foundation has launched the Ruwwad Zayed Programme, providing special leadership training programs to exceptional young Emiratis and Arab residents of the UAE. The application period remains open until May 29, 2026, which allows selected candidates to study at the ten top universities throughout the nation.
The initiative is designed to go beyond financial aid. It aims to shape confident leaders prepared for a world changing at an unprecedented pace.
“Every generation faces its own challenges, but young people today are confronting them at unprecedented speed and scale,” said Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed, chairwoman of the foundation.
The programme seeks to “prepare high-potential students to contribute to their communities and respond to complex global challenges.” That includes pressures such as climate change, economic inequality, and rapid technological shifts.
The program will distribute 50 scholarships during its initial year to master’s degree students who study fields that match national priorities. The program combines academic excellence with leadership development while scholars maintain their cultural identity to pursue international perspectives.
A student focusing on artificial intelligence, for example, might work on improving public services. Another student who studies sustainability will create solutions that address environmental problems. The aim is practical impact, not just credentials.
Participating institutions include Abu Dhabi University and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, along with several other prominent universities nationwide. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to nurturing leadership across technology, governance, and community development.
The foundation has set a professional goal to train 100000 young leaders by the year 2035 while creating a complete national system that will handle future global problems.
The Scholarship for Young Emirati Leaders establishes leadership development as a permanent national priority through its ongoing support of educational and innovative initiatives in the UAE.