New programmes to prepare creators of future launched

Dubai / Emirates Business

Dubai Future Academy (DFAc), a Dubai Future Foundation initiative, announced the launch of 10 new training programs aimed at developing the skills of professionals, the youth and promising talents in all fields, and empowering them with tools for the future and prepare them to adapt with the changes in the future of various economic, technological and government sectors.
Saeed Al Gergawi, Director of Dubai Future Academy, said that “building capacity for the future is based on the integrating of the roles of government and private sector, and building global partnerships with global academic and research institutions, in order to prepare a generation of leaders able to leverage the tools and methodologies of the future to contribute to the UAE’s competitiveness in various sectors.”
He pointed out that the Dubai Future Academy has organised more than 90 diverse events since 2018, and hosted more than 4,000 participants comprising of employees in government and private sector, students and enthusiasts in all things related to the future, and contributed to the empowerment of more than 500 specialists in future foresight.
Al Gergawi said that Dubai Future Academy’s approach encompasses three main themes: Future Mindset, that aims to create a mindset that can adapt with the trends of tomorrow. Future Skills, which focuses on developing the skills needed to succeed in the future. Future Trends, that aims to raise awareness in regards to the latest global trends that are impacting the UAE and the world at large.
He added that DFAc’s office, Office of the Future, which is constructed using 3D printing technology, has become a hub for hosting courses, events and workshops on future-related topics. In addition, it is open to all government and private sector companies that wish to organize their activities and events.

Ten New Programs in 2020
Dubai Future Academy’s activities are divided into three categories including specialized training courses, community knowledge sessions and summer programs.
Under the specialised courses, the Academy will organize a course in collaboration with the University of Oxford, named “AI and Good Governance”, in January 2020. The course will examine key themes facing policy makers, business leaders and civil society in an increasingly digitized world. In the same month, the Academy will run a course titled “Governance 2.0” which will explore the future dynamics of the boardroom and prepare leaders for the challenges of tomorrow. Additionally, in February 2020, the Academy will introduce a “Licensed Ethical Hacker” course, which aims to qualify participants from the ICT sectors through an immersive hands-on experience that includes multiple scenarios on live platforms and websites. Another course that will run in February, titled “From Foresight to Co-Design”, will assist participants to utilise foresight in decision making, policy development, recommendations through co-design.
In March, the Academy will launch “The Future Value of Data” course which will navigate insights gathered from more than 800 data experts from around the world and their impact on the global economy. The Academy will also run a course named “Transition Management Towards a Sustainable Future”, which aims to provide a solid introduction to transition management, a future-oriented approach that addresses complex societal challenges.

Furthermore, there will be a new course for youth named “The World in 5 Years”, which aims to build capacity and raise awareness of the anticipated changes taking place across the globe over the next 5 years.
In April, a course titled the “Future of Storytelling”, will be delivered to explore the latest techniques for telling engaging stories about the future. Moreover, the Academy will offer an “AI Literacy” course which introduces the principles of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and future key opportunities across all sectors.
In addition to the public courses, the Academy will offer a range of bespoke courses which can be tailored to specific entities/sectors based on demand, such as “Strategic Foresight”, which focuses on the role of foresight in decision-making and policy-making.
Community Events – Pioneers Series and Insights of the Future
As part of the community events, and within the Pioneers Series, the academy hosted over 50 thought leaders from the UAE and the world to present their vision for the future and promote the innovative and unique future-oriented concepts. The sessions attracted more than 2,400 participants who discussed future trends and the potential impact on the UAE, the region and the world.
Speakers at the pervious Pioneer Series, included Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, Sheikh Dr. Abdulaziz bin Ali bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, CEO of Al Ihsan Charity, Dr. Mariam Matar, Founder and President of the Emirates Genetic Diseases Association, Eng. Omran Sharaf, Director of the Emirates Mars Mission from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center, Dr. Eva Marie Mueller Staler, Senior Data Scientists and Head of the Department of Excellence at IBM in the Middle East, South Africa, Turkey, and Mitch Sinclair, Creative Director at the company Palm Wood, and others.
Dubai Future Academy also hosted a variety of Insight of the Future sessions that brought together experts from government institutions, international companies and youth to share experiences and enhance future skills in specialized and technical aspects related to emerging technological developments, such as artificial intelligence, digital transactions, 3D printing, space exploration, along with soft skills such as emotional and financial intelligence.
Insights of the Future sessions attracted more than 600 participants. DFAc recently announced its cooperation with the Dubai Youth Council to organize new events.
Summer Programs and Knowledge Platforms for School and University Students
Through its summer programs, Dubai Future Academy aims to engage school and university students and familiarize them with the latest trends in the science and technology, develop their cognitive and technical skills and their ability to find solutions to various challenges, and provide them with the necessary tools to keep pace with global trends.
Since its launch, the Summer Camp for Robotics and 3D Printing has hosted more than 100 students in a variety of specialized workshops, practical and theoretical activities, aimed at introducing students to how robots and prototypes of a wide range of products are designed and constructed using materials made with 3D printing technology.
DFAc as a Platform
The establishment of the Dubai Future Academy in 2017 came as a result of the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to become the knowledge hub for those creating the future, this by equipping generations of leaders with the skills of tomorrow.
The academy welcomes the opportunity to work with local, regional and international institution that are willing to contribute and impact those that are creating the future.