Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, Minister of State for Defence Affairs, attended today the graduation ceremony of the second batch of national service officers at the Zayed Military Academy in Al Ain city.

The graduation ceremony was attended by Lieutenant General Eng. Isa Saif bin Ablan Al Mazrouei, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Pilot Staff-Brigadier Sheikh Ahmad Bin Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the National Service and Reserve Authority, and several senior officials, officers and parents of the graduates.

Brigadier Saif Al Yamahi, Commander of the Zayed Military College, welcomed the ceremony patron and the audience. He highlighted the fact that the national service officers had completed the training period successfully and acquired the requisite military knowledge and skills that would enable them to serve as reserve officers in the armed forces, capable of taking up responsibilities and performing their duties.

He underlined the wise vision of the UAE leadership to improve the country’s military and non-military capacities, along with innovative policies and redoubled efforts to comply with the journey towards a bright future with new tools, different ideas and advanced skills.

He stressed that the national service project was among the leading projects in the country, to which Zayed Military College was proudly contributing to achieve the vision of the leadership and promote the noble values of love for the nation and leadership while taking individual and collective responsibilities to achieve the desired comprehensive development and social cohesion.

He emphasised that the growing challenges of the current period would contribute towards maximum persistence to continue this blessed journey towards leadership, excellence and sacrifice at all times and circumstances, besides raising the position of the UAE in the world.

The Zayed Military College Commander expressed his thanks and gratitude to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Supreme Council Members, Their Highnesses Rulers of the Emirates.

He told the graduates that they had moved from the learning and training phase to a new phase of practical work and giving. They will be the builders of the future and the protectors of the nation, equipped with ethics, honour, professionalism and loyalty, and their slogan will be "Allah, the Country and the President," he added.