The summer programmes of Al Watan Fund have continued to attract thousands of students across 50 venues in all regions of the country, under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Chairman of the Fund's Board of Directors, under the slogan "Proud of the UAE". Activities for the second week of the programme launched today, comprising approximately 1,500 different activities distributed across participating schools, universities, and cultural centres.
A key highlight of the first week, themed "I Am Emirati", was the participation of an elite group of national institutions, writers, thinkers, creatives, artists, and specialists, who took part in dozens of workshops, interactive sessions, and various activities. Their involvement contributed to an atmosphere of intellectual and cultural richness, enhanced engagement among students and their families, and offered an integrated experience combining knowledge and creativity while connecting Emirati national identity with the demands of the future.
Participating schools witnessed wide turnout from students and parents at the specialised workshops.
His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan commended the broad participation seen in this year's Al Watan Fund summer programmes, from dozens of local, federal, and private institutions and bodies in supporting and implementing activities and events. He said this reflects a spirit of national partnership and social responsibility, and embodies a shared commitment to investing in the sons and daughters of the UAE and preparing them for the future.
He affirmed that Al Watan Fund takes pride in this fruitful cooperation with institutions and bodies across the country, which has contributed to delivering distinctive, high-quality summer programmes that combine knowledge, culture, creativity, and innovation, while providing a stimulating environment to develop students' capabilities, strengthen their national belonging, and entrench the values of Emirati identity.
His Excellency noted that the summer programmes have also seen the distinguished participation of more than 135 creatives, writers, artists, and influencers, who delivered numerous programmes and activities — including lectures, workshops, and interactive sessions — at programme venues across the country.
He pointed out that this elite group of individuals with inspiring expertise and experiences played a prominent role in enriching the knowledge and cultural content of the events, contributing positively to the success of the summer programmes and the achievement of their goals, by providing rich and beneficial content for the sons and daughters of the UAE and giving them the opportunity to learn directly from accomplished figures across various fields.
He added that the great engagement from participants and the sincere efforts of partner institutions, creatives, and lecturers affirm the success of these programmes in building bridges of knowledge and creativity between generations, and reinforce confidence in the ability of UAE youth to continue excelling and contributing effectively to the march of national development.
His Excellency commended the positive participation of the institutions and bodies involved, as well as the creatives, writers, artists, and influencers who contributed to the success of Al Watan Fund's summer programmes. He affirmed that these joint efforts, which span three weeks, represent an honourable model of national work that places the Emirati individual at the forefront of priorities and advances the building of a knowledge and creativity society in the country.
The Barakah Peaceful Nuclear Energy Plant presented a series of interactive workshops on clean energy, alongside an educational scale model of the plant. The Ministry of Interior organised 5 workshops focused on the concept of positive citizenship, promoting social responsibility, respect for the law, and entrenching the values of tolerance, coexistence, and voluntary work, with the aim of instilling positive citizenship values in the younger generation.
The National Archives also participated in the programme's activities through specialised workshops covering Emirati history, national documents, national symbols, and the importance of preserving heritage and documenting national memory, with a focus on national identity by introducing students to the history of the UAE, the biographies of the founding fathers, and the achievements of the state.
The events were attended by writer and heritage researcher Dr Abdul Aziz Al Musallam, President of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, who visited the Scientific Innovation School, met with students, and spoke with them about the importance of the programme and the knowledge and cultural diversity it offers.
Writer and family counsellor Dr Saif Al Jabri participated in open sessions with students, during which he addressed the role of the family in building character, the importance of national identity, and the responsibility of youth in shaping the future.
Artist and designer Dr Azza Al Qubaisi conducted workshops on the arts of design and jewellery. Influencers Hamad Al Housani and Ahmed Al Housani delivered a series of interactive workshops and varied competitions bringing together students and parents, focused on Emirati heritage, community values, intergenerational communication, and Emirati folk proverbs, through competitions and interactive activities that drew wide participation.
In the artistic field, photographer and artist Mansour Al Mansouri conducted 5 training workshops covering the fundamentals of photography, professional skills, and how to use the image in visual storytelling.
Al Mansouri said that the image has become a universal language, and that empowering youth with photography tools and visual creativity helps document national achievements and highlight the beauty of the UAE and its heritage to the world. He affirmed that the summer programmes allow students to discover their talents and benefit from digital technologies and artificial intelligence to develop their creative skills.
Participating students and parents affirmed that Al Watan Fund's summer programmes have become a comprehensive national model bringing together government and private institutions, creatives, and intellectuals in a partnership aimed at developing the Emirati individual, entrenching national identity, promoting the Arabic language, preserving heritage, and empowering new generations with the tools of the future — in line with the UAE's vision of investing in people as the nation's true wealth.