UAE Prime Minister

Mohammed attends graduation ceremony

UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum attended a ceremony at Zayed II Military College in Al Ain today, to mark the graduation of its 34th batch of officer cadets.

On arrival Sheikh Mohammed, accompanied by Commander of Zayed Military College Brigadier General Salem Ali bin Salem Al Ghafli, performed an inspection of the graduating cadets as they paraded in front of the main stage.

The Brigadier General then delivered a speech in which described the history of the college, founded in 1972 under the guidance of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who also lent his name to the training academy. After expressing his loyalty to the UAE President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Al Ghafli conveyed his deep gratitude for Sheikh Mohammed's patronage of the graduation ceremony.

He also thanked Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, in recognition of their continuous support and backing for the educational and training programmes in place at the college.

Following the speech, Sheikh Mohammed distributed merit awards to eight distinguished graduates, congratulating them on their success and their pursuit of excellence in serving the armed forces.

Sheikh Mohammed then led the graduates in taking an oath of allegiance to the country, its leadership and its constitution, by pledging to work hard to safeguard the homeland, its boarders and its achievements.

Subsequently Sheikh Mohammed and Abu Dhabi Ruler's Representative in the Eastern Region Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan sat in on a group photo with the graduating class and the college's high-ranking officers.

Towards the end of the ceremony, Sheikh Mohammed advised the graduates on the importance of patience and Arab and Islamic values, as well as loyalty to the country and its leadership.

He concluded by calling on the new graduates to continue to develop their abilities and skills, stressing that Sheikh Khalifa is keen to provide all possible manner of support and opportunity to build a robust and secure army.

Also present at the ceremony were Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Defence Lt. General Obaid Al Kaabi, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt. General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Interior Lt. General Saif Abdullah Al Shafar, Director of Sheikh Mohammed's Office Lt. General Musabbah Rashid Al Fattan, a number of sheikhs, ministers, dignitaries, military and police officers, senior officials, heads of diplomatic missions and a large gathering of the cadets' families.