UAE national service recruits to get lessons in entrepreneurship

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, centre, attends an e-skills exhibition for national service recruits, at the Armed Forces Officers Club. All photos by Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed attends an e-skills exhibition for national service recruits.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed speaks with national service recruits.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed attends an e-skills exhibition for national service recruits.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed is seen with Lt General Hamad Thani Al Romaithi, Chief of Staff UAE Armed Forces, right; and Major General Essa Saif Al Mazrouei, Deputy Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, third right.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed is seen with Lt General Al Romaithi and Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi, back centre.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed is seen with Lt Genera Al Romaithi and Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed attends an e-skills exhibition for national service recruits.

Emirati national service recruits will be given lessons in entrepreneurship alongside military drills and weapons training, officials said on Sunday.

The announcement was made at a meeting of officials of the National Service and Reserve Authority, the National Programme for Artificial Intelligence, Dubai Police, a number of ministries and the latest batch of recruits.

The initiative aims to encourage start-ups in sectors including biotech.

It will also equip recruits to work with government, private and global entities.

Participants were encouraged to transform their ideas into start-ups, which would promote the UAE’s digital economy and nurture their skills as entrepreneurs.

Recruits will be offered support and advice in the early business incubation stage.

“This initiative prepares participants to enter the market and benefit from the advantages and incentives of the entrepreneurship sector in the UAE to build successful commercial and investment projects,” said Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and SMEs, who was at the meeting.

Recruits are already trained in data literacy and artificial intelligence. The National Service and Reserve Authority signed an agreement with the National Programme for Artificial Intelligence in 2019 to train recruits in AI and robotics.

The decision to include computer science and machine learning followed a government directive to equip recruits with the technical skills needed in the age of AI.

This is intended to assist efforts by the Emirates to empower the next generation of its leaders with digital skills and education.

So far, three batches of recruits have graduated from the National Programme for Artificial Intelligence.

The National Service and Reserve Authority will continue to co-ordinate with various government entities to train recruits.