Graduation of Aqdar's fifth Adventures Students' Camp
The Khalifa Student Empowerment Program "Aqdar" on Thursday celebrated the graduation of a new group of students participating in the Aqdar's students adventure camps launched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and under the patronage of Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute (ADVETI) in Al Shahama area
A total of 655 students have participated in the camp's fifth session events which were organized by Aqdar in collaboration with the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Education, the Abu Dhabi Education Council and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai.
During the closing ceremony, the students exhibited the skills they received at the camps, reflecting their abilities and qualifications of the, their excellence in skills and their high morale, which mirrored the images of loyalty and belonging, the love of the service of the homeland and the sacrifice for it.
Students also took oaths, and chanted for His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
Student Salem Ammar Al-Juhoushi delivered a speech on behalf of his fellow graduates, in which he thanked all those who contributed to holding the camp including the participants, the organizers and the supporters, and praised their keenness to provide all facilities that had a great impact on raising the efficiency of the participating students.
The ceremony was attended by Major General Faisal Mohammed Abdullah Al Shehhi, Commander of the Unified Training in the Armed Forces, Brig. Mohammed Humaid bin Dalmouj Al Dhahiri, Acting Secretary General of the Office of HH the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Hammadi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute (ADVETI), Colonel Dr. Ibrahim Al Dabal, general coordinator of Aqdar , Eng. Khalfan Al Marashda, director of activities and events at the Ministry of Education, and Humaid Abdullah, Director of student activities Abu Dhabi Education Council, and a number of program's coordinators and supervisors and a number of officers from armed forces and the Ministry of the Interior and representatives of the Ministry of Education, and a crowd of parents, students and relatives of the graduates.
The fifth session of the student adventure camps included a number of activities that focused on introducing students to the general principles they need to build their abilities and skills to enhance commitment and discipline, including infantry training, archery, basic fitness and the promotion of moral and national values which consolidate the students' loyalty and affiliation, and the development of positive values and behaviors most importantly the UAE community values, leadership skills and social networking and decision-making.
The program also included a visit of the students to the tomb of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, which is next door to the Grand Mosque of Sheikh Zayed. The students recited Surat Al Fatiha and prayed to Allah Almighty to bestow His mercy on the soul of Sheikh Zayed, reminding his noble qualities and values which contributed to promoting the culture of tolerance, coexistence and peace among all the peoples of the world.
The students were given an overview of the Mosque’s facilities, its history, and the architectural features and craftsmanship that is evident used in the design and the construction.
They visited Al Karama Oasis, the Monument of the Martyr and were briefed about the icon by the visitors' service administrators.
The field visits program focused on enhancing the students' understanding of the importance of building their capacities to face the challenges and raise awareness of the national issues, the historical and cultural importance of the country. The program also included a visit to the Wadi Adventure in Al Ain.
Hussein Al Hammadi: Camps deepen positive citizenship
HE Hussain Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, stressed that camps have become an outstanding event that gives the desired addition to our students through the targeted training programs and the system of values, customs and behaviors the program instils in them.
He went on to say that the Ministry of Education, in accordance with its vision and educational mission, is working to invest in human resources to build a society of knowledge and deepen positive citizenship and national identity through cooperation with the Khalifa Students Empowerment Program.
Faisal Shehhi: instilling values of love of the homeland
Major General Faisal Mohammed Abdullah Al Shehhi, Commander of the Armed Forces Training Unit, praised the importance of the role played by the Khalifa program to enable students to develop the national awareness of youth and instilling patriotism by understanding their future roles in serving and defending their country.
He also praised the distinguished levels of students in camps and their response with the program in high efficiency and training skills and high physical characteristics, which contributed to the achievement of leadership qualities and skills, referring to the culture instilled by the late founding leader, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in the hearts of sons and daughters of the nation.
Al-Shehhi called on participants to benefit from what they learned during this period and seek to apply on the ground, to achieve the aspirations of the higher leadership.
Mohammed Al Dhaheri: Promoting Values of Loyalty and Belonging
For his part, Brigadier Mohammed bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri, Acting Secretary General of the Office of HH the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, praised the higher leadership for supporting children and providing them with the great potentials and linking them to their national identity.
Al-Dhaheri stressed the importance of translating the vision of HH the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior to develop the program in order to meet the needs and to keep abreast of the latest developments and achieve the desired goals.
Ali Al-Nuaimi: A noble experience for a cheerful future
Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Education Council, said: "The UAE is proud of its students who are participating in the camps and we all look towards a bright future for our country thanks to their skills, abilities and knowledge.
He added: "Today we are witnessing the graduation of a new batch of qualified and successful youth who have received rigorous training and gained experience that helped them acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to promote the values of loyalty and belonging to this benevolent homeland. I personally take pride in all these students and wish to congratulate them and their parents and encourage them to participate in this noble and productive experience.
Al Nuaimi thanked the strategic partners for their contribution to this vital project for the UAE and the world. They have provided students with the necessary knowledge and skills to achieve prosperity and good for this great nation and to contribute to the advancement of human civilization.
Ibrahim Dabal: instilling the concept of collective action
Colonel Dr. Ibrahim Al-Dabal, General Coordinator of Aqdar praised the interaction and responsiveness of parents and their children students with the activities of the camps, a thing which contributes to the achievement of its goals in building the capacity of students and motivating them to serve the nation.
He stressed the importance of creating noble national values among young people in cooperation and coordination with the partners: the National Service at the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Education, the Abu Dhabi Education Council, the Dubai Knowledge Authority and the Abu Dhabi Education and Training Institute.
The initiative aims to acquire scientific knowledge, psychological and behavioral skills, promote loyalty and national belonging, equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills, discipline and commitment, promote and instill the concept of teamwork through training and sports activities, Al Dabal said.
He explained that the program was designed locally after learning about the best experiences and in partnership and coordination with more than 50 federal and local agencies to work together to combine the national efforts to build generations of students who have comprehensive awareness and self-immunization, empowerment and ability to meet the challenges of the present and future.
Abdul Rahman Al-Hammadi: Development and refinement of the personalities of the nation
Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Hammadi, Director General Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute (ADVETI) stressed the importance of achieving the objectives of the Institute and its educational and vocational centers in training the youth of the country to acquire scientific and training skills and that will lead them to a healthy life and contribute to the development and refinement of their personality.
He added that the (ADVETI) hosts the student adventure camp annually during the school holidays. Our trainers provide training to the students, teaching them how to maintain the qualities of self-discipline and responsibility.