UAE Prime Minister

Mohammed attends air college graduation

UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum attended a graduation ceremony for the 39th batch of air force cadets at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Air College in Al Ain today.

Shortly after his arrival Sheikh Mohammed, accompanied by the Commander of the Zayed Air Force College, Brigadier Saeed Ghanem Al Falasi, inspected the graduates parading in formation. Among the graduating class were five Emirati ladies, in addition to several pilots representing Arab countries in the region.

Following the parade the newly qualified air cadets took the oath of allegiance before Sheikh Mohammed, swearing loyalty to the country, its leadership and the UAE flag.

Al Falasi then delivered a speech, in which he paid tribute to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, pledging that in the hands of Sheikh Mohammed, the country's borders and territory would remain protected.

During the speech he informed those present that the Khalifa Bin Zayed Air College had successfully applied to Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, to become part of their Academic Accreditation Programme. Starting with the 41st batch of air force cadets, graduating pilots will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in aviation.

Sheikh Mohammed presented merit awards to distinguished officers, with the sword of honour going to top-placed student Khamis Salem Al Ziudy.

After standing for photos alongside senior officers, faculty staff and the graduating class, Sheikh Mohammed congratulated the new cadets, urging them to continue on the path of excellence by undertaking to do more study and training, to prepare themselves to become the country's future leaders.

Sheikh Mohammed went on to commend the top quality training methods employed at the college, which bring honour and contribute to the reputation of the UAE Armed Forces.

Concluding his remarks, he expressed his great joy that a number of Emirati ladies were among the graduates, stressing his support for females to actively engage in their national duty alongside their male peers.

Also present at the ceremony were Abu Dhabi Ruler's Representative in the Eastern Region Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Undersecretary of the Ruler's Court in the Eastern Provence Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development Abdul Rahman Mohammed Nassir Al Owais, Minister of Justice Dr. Hadif Ju'an Al Dhaheri, other sheikhs, senior military and civilian officials and members of the diplomatic corps, as well as a large gathering of the graduates' families.