The UAE on Tuesday announced two specialised master’s programmes for the public sector, under the new Mohammed bin Rashid Government Fellowships programme.
Launched under the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the first will focus on economic strategy and international policy, while the second is on artificial intelligence.
They will be delivered in partnership with top-tier universities from around the world. Fifty fellows will join Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, 25 will study at the University of Oxford, 25 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), New York University will receive 40, while Georgetown University will host 60 fellows.
In the initiative’s first phase, Emirati professionals will be selected from the public sector, with government entities invited to nominate high-potential talent. The 200 chosen will then be divided equally between the two academic focus areas – 100 in economic strategy and international policy with 100 for AI.
They will then be sent to one of the listed universities, selected based on the 2026 global rankings and an evaluation of each institution’s track record in executive education and public sector innovation.
Preparing for the future
Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, said the launch highlighted the government's focus on strengthening the readiness of future national leaders. He added that the UAE is committed to developing a future-ready government workforce, capable of leading national efforts in economic growth, digital transformation and evidence-based policymaking grounded in knowledge and innovation.
“This is the path towards the better future we strive for, one that secures lasting prosperity for our country and its people,” Mr Al Gergawi said.
THE DETAILS
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Dir: Ron Howard
Starring: Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson
3/5
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Blah
Started: 2018
Founder: Aliyah Al Abbar and Hend Al Marri
Based: Dubai
Industry: Technology and talent management
Initial investment: Dh20,000
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 40
US households add $601bn of debt in 2019
American households borrowed another $601 billion (Dh2.2bn) in 2019, the largest yearly gain since 2007, just before the global financial crisis, according to February data from the New York Federal Reserve Bank.
Fuelled by rising mortgage debt as homebuyers continued to take advantage of low interest rates, the increase last year brought total household debt to a record high, surpassing the previous peak reached in 2008 just before the market crash, according to the report.
Following the 22nd straight quarter of growth, American household debt swelled to $14.15 trillion by the end of 2019, the New York Fed said in its quarterly report.
In the final three months of the year, new home loans jumped to their highest volume since the fourth quarter of 2005, while credit cards and auto loans also added to the increase.
The bad debt load is taking its toll on some households, and the New York Fed warned that more and more credit card borrowers — particularly young people — were falling behind on their payments.
"Younger borrowers, who are disproportionately likely to have credit cards and student loans as their primary form of debt, struggle more than others with on-time repayment," New York Fed researchers said.
MATCH INFO
Champions League last 16, first leg
Tottenham v RB Leipzig, Wednesday, midnight (UAE)
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
