The United Arab Emirates announced on Monday to prepare its government workforce for a future shaped by digital transformation, artificial intelligence and shifting global economic priorities.

The program, unveiled by Mohammed Al Gergawi, the country’s Minister of Cabinet Affairs, will send 200 Emirati professionals to some of the world’s most prestigious universities for advanced training in economic strategy, international policy and the use of artificial intelligence in the public sector.

Fellows will be split evenly across the two disciplines, with cohorts at the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in Abu Dhabi, the University of Oxford, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, New York University and Georgetown University. The selection of academic partners, officials said, was based on 2026 global university rankings and the institutions’ track records in executive education and public-sector innovation.

Mr. Al Gergawi described the fellowships as “strategic investments in the human capital that will shape the UAE’s future,” adding that the effort reflected the vision of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the country’s president, and the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the vice president, prime minister and ruler of Dubai.

“The UAE’s position as a global leader in government transformation and sustainable development requires continued investment in its people,” Mr. Al Gergawi said, pointing to economic policy, international strategy and artificial intelligence as “future-critical sectors.”

The initiative, which begins with a first phase of 200 participants, will draw nominees from government entities across the federation. Officials said they are targeting high-potential Emirati professionals whose roles intersect with national priorities such as economic diversification, evidence-based policymaking and digital governance.

The fellowships also reflect Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s emphasis on lifelong learning as a pillar of the UAE’s development model, Mr. Al Gergawi said. “This is the path toward the better future we strive for, one that secures lasting prosperity for our country and its people,” he added.

The launch comes as the UAE continues to position itself as a hub for innovation and governance reform in the Gulf. By embedding advanced training into its public sector, the country hopes to build a cadre of civil servants fluent in both global economic strategy and emerging technologies — skills that officials argue will be essential for navigating a volatile world economy and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence.

Source: WAM