UAE teams up with Oxford, MIT, and top universities to train government leaders in AI and economic strategy

The UAE launched fellowships with top universities, training 200 Emiratis in AI and economic policy/Image: X

In a move that underscores the UAE’s commitment to future-ready governance, a new fellowship initiative has been launched to equip Emirati professionals with deep expertise in economic strategy, international policy, and artificial intelligence. The programme, developed in partnership with leading global universities, marks a major investment in national talent and government transformation.

Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, announced the launch of a national fellowship initiative aimed at empowering Emirati professionals working in government entities across the UAE. The programme is designed to prepare a new generation of public sector leaders capable of advancing economic growth, driving digital transformation, and shaping data-driven, innovative public policies.Al Gergawi emphasised that this initiative is grounded in the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. It reflects their shared priority of building a knowledge-based, innovation-driven government.He highlighted that the UAE’s leadership sees these fellowships not just as educational opportunities, but as strategic investments in human capital — a necessary step to secure long-term national prosperity.

The initiative launches with two specialised academic programmes:

Participants will be evenly divided across the two tracks — 100 fellows in each. These programmes are tailored to address real-world challenges in governance and policy leadership, and are aligned with the UAE’s broader development goals in economic strategy, AI, and public sector innovation.Graduates will emerge equipped to:

Al Gergawi noted that these academic tracks represent key sectors for the future of governance and are essential for modernising public institutions and boosting the UAE’s global competitiveness.

To deliver the fellowships, the UAE has partnered with top-tier academic institutions recognised for their excellence in executive education and public sector innovation. The selection of universities was based on the 2026 global university rankings and a thorough assessment of their track records in leadership training.The partner universities and allocated fellows for the first phase are as follows:

This brings the total to 200 fellows, all of whom are high-potential Emirati professionals nominated by government entities across the UAE. These individuals will undergo rigorous training that bridges academic theory with practical applications in public administration.

The fellowship initiative is closely aligned with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s national development agenda, which places strong emphasis on lifelong learning, national values, responsible AI, and technological advancement.Al Gergawi stressed that these fellowships are not a standalone programme, but part of a broader national effort to build a future-proof government workforce — one that can actively lead in economic strategy, international policy-making, and the ethical integration of artificial intelligence in public services.By fostering deep, sector-specific knowledge and global academic exposure, the UAE aims to accelerate national progress, ensure sustainable development, and reinforce its leadership role on the global stage. Go to Source