Sheikh Hamdan Honours Graduates of Lead & Design Programme
<h3>Sheikh Hamdan Honours Graduates of Lead & Design Programme, Empowering UAE’s Future Innovators</h3><p><strong>Dubai:</strong> Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the <strong>Dubai Future Foundation (DFF)</strong>, attended the graduation ceremony of the <strong>second cohort of the Lead & Design Programme</strong> on Tuesday.</p><p>The initiative, launched by DFF, aims to empower Emirati professionals with <strong>future-oriented design and leadership skills</strong>, equipping them with the ability to develop innovative, human-centred solutions for community needs.</p><h3>Fostering Future-Ready Leaders</h3><p>Sheikh Hamdan reaffirmed Dubai’s commitment to nurturing young national talent, stating that <strong>youth are central to shaping the emirate’s future</strong>. He highlighted that developing Emirati capabilities in <strong>design thinking</strong> and <strong>creative problem-solving</strong> is vital to building a sustainable, innovation-driven Dubai.</p><blockquote><p>“Developing national talent will continue to be one of our top strategic priorities in shaping the future of Dubai and the UAE,” Sheikh Hamdan said.<br>“We are determined to ensure Dubai remains one of the world’s most future-ready cities, driven by its creative talent, design-thinking mindset, and visionary leadership.”</p></blockquote><p>He added that <strong>design thinking is a powerful tool</strong> for tackling challenges and improving services across both government and private sectors.</p><blockquote><p>“We expect participants in the Lead & Design Programme to make valuable contributions to their entities by applying future-focused skills, identifying new opportunities, and developing solutions that place people first,” he noted.</p></blockquote><h3>Strategic Leadership and Vision</h3><p>The event was attended by several senior UAE officials, including:</p><p><strong>Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi</strong>, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Vice Chairman of DFF’s Board of Trustees</p><p><strong>Omar Sultan Al Olama</strong>, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, and Deputy Managing Director of DFF</p><p><strong>Helal Al Marri</strong>, Director-General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and DFF Board Member</p><p><strong>Khalfan Belhoul</strong>, CEO of DFF</p><p>Their presence underscored the UAE’s national priority to build a <strong>design-led culture of innovation</strong> that drives government excellence and global competitiveness.</p><h3>Empowering 38 Innovators Through Design</h3><p>The second cohort of the <strong>Lead & Design Programme</strong> included <strong>38 participants</strong> from both public and private sectors. Over a <strong>14-week intensive curriculum</strong>, participants engaged in:</p><p><strong>Interactive workshops</strong> and <strong>practical sessions</strong> on design thinking</p><p><strong>Field visits</strong> within the UAE and abroad</p><p><strong>Leadership development modules</strong> led by experts and practitioners in innovation</p><p>The curriculum guided participants through real-world challenges, introducing them to tools that enhance creativity, analytical thinking, and people-focused design strategies.</p><p>Participants were also trained to envision <strong>future-ready solutions</strong> that improve public services, enhance community wellbeing, protect the environment, and promote inclusion — especially for <strong>People of Determination</strong>.</p><h3>Innovative Projects for the Future</h3><p>The programme concluded with a <strong>presentation of final projects</strong>, where participants proposed innovative solutions across several key sectors:</p><p><strong>Government service enhancement</strong></p><p><strong>Environmental sustainability</strong></p><p><strong>Education advancement</strong></p><p><strong>Quality of life improvement</strong></p><p><strong>Empowerment of People of Determination</strong></p><p>These projects demonstrated how <strong>design-led innovation</strong> can directly contribute to Dubai’s vision of becoming a <strong>global hub for creativity and human-centric progress</strong>.</p><h3>Building a Culture of Design Thinking</h3><p>The Lead & Design Programme reflects Dubai’s broader ambition — to integrate <strong>design thinking</strong> into its institutional DNA, ensuring that policymaking, public services, and corporate strategies are rooted in empathy, foresight, and innovation.</p><p>By empowering young Emiratis with these skills, the <strong>Dubai Future Foundation</strong> continues to build a generation capable of <strong>leading the UAE’s transformation</strong> into a globally recognised innovation economy.</p>