Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council Inaugurates First Cohort of Nafis Leadership Programme 

The Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (ETCC) announced the commencement of the inaugural cohort of the Nafis Leadership Program, a key strategic initiative aimed at cultivating and refining leadership acumen among Emirati professionals within the private and banking sectors.

The commencement of this program was announced by H.E. Ghannam Butti Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General of ETCC, in the esteemed presence of H.E. Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future, alongside key dignitaries from the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs.

Her Excellency Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future, extended her gratitude to the Nafis program for its unwavering dedication to generating employment opportunities for young Emiratis in the private sector. She acknowledged the program's pivotal role in providing essential training and vocational guidance, enabling the youth to actively participate in the economic development process.

Her Excellency Ohood Al Roumi emphasized, "The Nafis Leadership Program stands as a tangible manifestation of the directives of our wise leadership. It is designed to cultivate a new generation of young Emirati leaders with the capacity to navigate the opportunities of the private sector, steering economic growth within the framework of an ambitious future vision, and elevate their active contributions to various vital sectors of the UAE."

Her Excellency added, "The Nafis Leadership Program equips our youth with essential leadership skills, competencies, and capabilities. It follows a meticulously crafted academic methodology inspired by the distinguished Emirati model of government leadership. Participants benefit from the wealth of experiences provided by the UAE Government Leaders Program, culminating in the creation of inspirational Emirati leaders and role models for the young workforce within the private sector."

H.E. Ghannam Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General of ETCC stated, "Launching the first cohort of the Nafis Leadership Program aligns seamlessly with the UAE government's sustained commitment to nurturing leadership capabilities, fortifying the skill set of Emiratis, and implementing the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of ETCC. This initiative strategically invests in Emirati talents, empowering them with the required skills to adeptly assume leadership roles within the private and banking sectors."

Continuing, H.E. remarked, "The program stands as a cornerstone in ETCC's strategic vision, fostering, developing, and supporting Emiratis through a collaborative alliance with the UAE Government Leaders Program (GLP). This partnership employs a comprehensive training model grounded in innovative methods, featuring direct insights from global leadership experts, practical training modules, and field visits to prominent institutions within and beyond the UAE."

ETCC clarified that the program spans over 170 training hours, integrating diverse innovative methodologies, including direct engagement with leading international experts and hands-on training to address prevailing challenges across various business sectors. Participants will partake in interactive sessions, engage with industry leaders, undertake field excursions to benchmark practices, and develop projects as part of their graduation requirements at the end of the program.

"The Nafis Leadership Program is the culmination of a constructive collaboration between the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council and the UAE Government Leaders Program of the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs. The program's structural framework aligns with the strategic imperatives of the 'Nafis' program, enhancing the competitive efficiency of Emirati talents and preparing them for skilled roles in the private sector. This is in harmony with the UAE Centennial Plan 2071, focusing on Outstanding Education, aimed at cultivating a highly skilled and productive workforce," added H.E. Ghannam Al Mazrouei.

Al Mazrouei emphasized that the first cohort comprises 24 Emirati professionals, including section heads, managers, and specialists in the private sector, banking, and insurance. ETCC is committed to collaborative efforts with private sector partners to optimize the performance and efficiency of participants, thereby shaping a new cadre of distinguished Emirati leaders in these critical sectors.

It is worth noting that that the UAE Government Leaders Program (GLP), established in 2008 under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to enable government entities to achieve strategic goals and enhance the capabilities of Emirati talents to cope with future challenges with global leadership competencies. The (GLP) has expanded its scope to include Emiratis in the private sector through an MoU signed in January 2023 with The Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council. This collaborative initiative integrates the "Nafis" program and the UAE Government Leaders Program (GLP), designing a comprehensive training model in conjunction with national and international think tanks, academic institutions, entrepreneurs, and businesses.