The Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government has announced that applications are now open for its specialised academic programmes for the 2026–2027 academic year, in a move aimed at preparing government and professional leaders equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to drive institutional transformation and shape public policy effectively, in support of the We the UAE 2031 vision and the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031.
The school is offering 3 specialised academic programmes: the Master of Public Administration (MPA), the Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA), and the Master of Innovation Management and AI Governance (MIMAIG). These programmes have been designed to meet the needs of governments and institutions in the coming period, with a focus on policy analysis, decision-making, government innovation, governance, and artificial intelligence, thereby enhancing the readiness of national talent to lead government transformation.
The programmes adopt a hybrid learning model combining 51% in-person instruction with 49% e-learning, providing a flexible educational environment that supports continuous professional development through an intensive weekend teaching schedule, achieving a balance between work commitments and the quality of the academic experience.
The educational framework also draws on applied projects and interactive leadership exercises that enable participants to address real-world challenges within government work environments and convert them into actionable innovation opportunities, contributing to the development of sustainable solutions with a direct institutional impact.
The Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) focuses on qualifying leaders and managers in the government sector and developing their skills in policy analysis, understanding institutional transformation, and managing administrative complexity, through courses in governance, comparative public administration, public finance, and human resources and performance management.
The Master of Public Administration (MPA), meanwhile, targets young leaders at middle and senior levels in the government, semi-government, and non-profit sectors. It adopts a 'learning through work' model by linking coursework to real-world challenges, particularly in the areas of digital transformation and smart government, with an emphasis on developing leadership capabilities, public policy analysis, and applied case studies.
The programme extends over one academic year of coursework and one semester for the thesis, and is grounded in an academic methodology that combines theoretical foundations with practical application within real governance environments, with a focus on AI governance, digital transformation, and algorithmic accountability, enhancing understanding of the impact of technology on government decision-making.