Major General Pilot Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Deputy Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, attended the graduation of the sixth cohort of UAE National Service and Reserve Authority (NSRA) recruits, and the second batch of Tumooh programme at Khalifa University of Science and Technology.
The recruits were honoured for successfully concluding their intense months-long training in research and development in a wide array of advanced technology fields. The graduation ceremony was also attended by senior officials from NSRA including Brigadier Khalifa Hamad Khalifa Al Kaabi, Chief of the National Service and Reserve Authority, and Brigadier-General Obaid Ali Al-Mansoori, Director, Directorate of Information and Corporate Communication, NSRA, as well as dignitaries and guests.
Major General Pilot Sheikh Ahmed affirmed the commitment of the UAE’s wise leadership to empower and prepare the nation’s youth. Since youth are the backbone of the present and architects of the future, investing in youth and working on their qualifications have been a consistent Emirati approach since the establishment of the UAE in the 1970s, which continues even now.
Major General Pilot Sheikh Ahmed further commended the innovations of the national service recruits from the Al Nokhba and Tamouh programmes, which contribute to serving the country and its citizens, UAE national news agency WAM reported.
Dr. Yousof A. Alhammadi, Senior Vice-President, Acting Academic and Student Services, Khalifa University, said: “Khalifa University is proud to graduate the sixth cohort of the Al Nokhba and the second batch of Tumooh recruits and empower the next generation of innovators, professionals, and industry leaders in the UAE’s strategic sectors. The graduation of this diverse group is a testament to the research-intensive curriculum and elite standards of the Al Nokhba and Tumooh programmes, which are developed in partnership with the UAE National Service and Reserve Authority (NSRA).”
“These graduates exemplify the foundation upon which future advancements and innovations will be built, in scientific applications. We congratulate these exceptional students for their success and achievements in academic, and research disciplines, spanning a diverse range of engineering and technical specialties,” he added.
Launched by Khalifa University in partnership with the NSRA in 2019, the Al Nokhba and Tumooh programmes have created an alumni body of researchers. During the 2024 programme the Al Nokhba recruits completed training courses, research projects and specific assignments.
In January 2024, a group of Al Nokhba-NSRs presented several innovations including drones, and underwater robots that were showcased at the sixth edition of the Unmanned Systems Exhibition (UMEX) and Simulation and Training Exhibition (SIMTEX) conference.
With support from Khalifa University faculty and researchers, the Al Nokhba recruits worked on projects including a multipurpose climbing robot, advanced drones that require the least human intervention, ‘Simulation of Autonomous Car’, ‘Autonomous Vehicle Platform & Communication’, a method for recycling and upcycling textile waste using fungus, and an energy-efficient method for water desalination.
The Al Nokhba graduates also developed technologies such as a model to address issues related to telecommunication devices and networks, and a real-time algorithm capable of tackling various datasets with the least memory and time using intelligent systems. The Al Nokhba programme for university graduates prepares recruits for postgraduate studies and enables representation of the UAE in international competitions, involvement in research and publishing research findings.
The Tumooh programme for high school graduates offers a platform for in-depth learning, particularly in scientific and technical domains and helps them explore the world of knowledge and innovation. Participants undergo technical courses facilitated by professional development sessions from the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), and introductory research visits coordinated by the Research Office and various Research Centers. Participants are equipped with theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for academic and professional development.
