24 Students and 4 Mentors Accept 'The Challenge' - the First Ever Delivery of Leadership Training Utilising Sandhurst Leadership Methodology in the UAE, 4-Week Programme Supported by Partners ALDAR and BP Addresses Recruitment and Retention of Emiratis in the Private Sector

Abu Dhabi, UAE, June 17, 2008 - This week the Emirates Foundation, a leading UAE philanthropic institution, launched Al Tahaddi, or 'The Challenge' the first ever leadership programme of its kind within the nation through the Tawteen Leadership Academy, one of the eight Tawteen projects.

Private sector partners ALDAR and BP are funding and developing this project as part of the Tawteen Programme, founded by the Emirates Foundation to equip young Emiratis with relevant life and leadership skills.

What will make the leadership training unique is the introduction of superior 'non-military' leadership instruction by the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) of the UK. The RMAS initiative and leadership curriculum was developed through partnership with the Inspirational Development Group (IDG), a UK-based leadership training and performance management company. Through the curriculum, students will be instructed on self development methods, advanced communication, influencing, and project management skills.

After assessment, the 24 future leaders taking part have been selected from the 318 students who completed the initial Tawteen Leadership Camps between November 2007 and April 2008. Six of them - one working group will consist of young Emirati women.

During the four-week training programme, mentors will work with students in groups of six to deliver 'The Challenge'. This year's challenge addresses issues relating to recruitment and retention of Emiratis within the UAE. The 24 future leaders will need to identify solutions by building on the skills taught by RMAS and through mentor guidance.

Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Managing Director of the Emirates Foundation, said: "Through efforts like Al Tahaddi and our other strategic partnerships with private entities, we are able to make an effective and resounding impact -  equipping ambitious young UAE professionals with the best of skills, and offering them the broadest of opportunities at which to excel." 

In support of the partnership, Abdullah Zam Zam, Chief Corporate Support Officer, ALDAR commented: "We are proud to be a partner in this endeavour: we want to actively participate in developing new Emirati leaders who can take on the responsibilities of the future."

AbdulKarim Al Mazmi, Regional Vice President BP Middle East said, "As a founding member of Tawteen we are confident that the Al Tahaddi programme will provide motivated young Emiratis with further training in the vital skills they will need to succeed in the workplace and to achieve their personal development goals.  We are more than happy to provide mentorship and support to a programme that so well aligns with our corporate objective of developing the region's youth

The RMAS, the initial training ground for all British Army officers, is known for its impressive list of international graduates, including HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and many other members of the nation's leadership.

Al Tahaddi began with a two-day mentor training event in Abu Dhabi last week. The four mentors come respectively from BP, Aldar and Tawteen's Leadership Academy.  A two-day initial student training event will then be launched tomorrow (June 18) at the Radisson SAS Hotel, Sharjah.

Opening remarks will be delivered by Sheikh Abdul Aziz Ali Al Nuaimi, nephew of the Ruler of Ajman, a former Sandhurst graduate. The programme will conclude with a two-day presentation to a VIP panel scheduled for July 16th and 17th in Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Abdul Aziz commented: "Since graduating from RMAS, there have been countless situations in which I've utilized the skills that I acquired at the Academy. Needless to say, I am pleased that RMAS training is being introduced in the UAE through IDG, to shape so many bright young men and women who will use their experiences as the leaders of tomorrow."

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© Press Release 2008