Wednesday 04 December 2013
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Chairman of the Supreme Council of the National Defence College, officially inaugurated the college on Wednesday,4 December ,2013 Present at the opening ceremony were H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development,a number of members of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Lt. General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumeithi, Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, a group of top Armed Forces commanders, diplomats and top officials. Sheikh Mohamed hoisted the college's flag at the parade ground and unveiled the memorial plaque, declaring the official inauguration of the college. Sheikh Mohamed said :'' It's our great pleasure and pride to open today this ambitious scientific research institute, coinciding with our celebrations of the 42nd glorious National Day. We believe in the message of our educational and academic institutions and in their vital role in promoting thought and keeping pace with rapid changes to address challenges and to explore future approaches, so as to work closely and collaboratively with other national agencies for the service of issues concerning the Emirati community and our national security, both taking top priority for our wise leadership.'' Sheikh Mohamed was then briefed by the NDC Commandant , Staff Pilot Major General Rashad Mohammed Al Sa'adi, about the college, its departments, academic and research resources , the advanced curriculum , and the competence of the faculty staff as well as the college's close cooperation with other national education providers, including the UAE University and Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research". Sheikh Mohamed expressed his delight at seeing a group of Emirati citizens joining the college to enrich their knowledge and professional expertise to participate effectively in serving their homeland. He added that the college would serve as a new source for sustaining development, training and building the capacity of Emiratis to whom the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan gives proper support. The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi added that the country's wise leadership gives great care to the qualitative training and capacity building of Emiratis to enable them to respond in a professional and positive method to unfolding developments and changes and to identify and assess future challenges, mainly those regarding national, regional and international security, as well as to understand the basics and requirements for managing state resources to protect national interests and achieve strategic objectives. In his opening remarks, the Commandant said, ''Today is yet another day of giving and progress, a day full of absolute loyalty to our dear leadership and generous nation... we meet today at a new site of dignity and pride to build the Emirati citizen.'' He expressed his hope that the college would produce more achievements for the UAE and be another fitting platform of excellence in academic and strategic thought which would empower future leaders to keep abreast of the modern age and analyze and read its needs by using diverse, creative intellectual methods and developing national strategies for decision-making to serve national interests.