SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)

Rabdan Academy celebrated the graduation of 233 men and women on Monday, recognising them as capable leaders poised to shape the future. The institution's president, James Anthony Morse, said this particular batch stands out for its resilience and exceptional preparedness for the challenges ahead.

Graduating from seven specialised programmes — from homeland security to intelligence analysis — these future leaders have been "trained not only to respond to today's challenges but to think ahead and anticipate tomorrow's", Morse told Aletihad in an interview.

Rabdan Academy — one of Abu Dhabi's leading institutes for safety, security, defence, emergency preparedness and crisis management — has built a global reputation through pioneering programmes, top university partnerships, and international accreditations since its establishment in 2013.

This year, it graduated its "most international class", with students from Afghanistan, Indonesia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan joining its Emirati graduates, Morse said.

"That combination of diversity, academic depth, and practical experience really captures the academy's mission in action," he said.

Morse noted that international participation also demonstrates Rabdan Academy's growing reach. "When students choose to come here from Afghanistan, Indonesia, Tajikistan, or Uzbekistan, it tells us something important: the model we have built in Abu Dhabi is relevant far beyond our borders."

Building Bridges and Learning UAE Values

International students leave Rabdan Academy carrying UAE values of cooperation and stability, helping build bridges and strengthening the country's reputation as a huub for global resilience.

One of the academy's graduates, Aziz Dovudkhon Dovudzoda from Tajikistan, said he chose the institution because he wanted "an education that would truly prepare me for real-world challenges".

"Being here has expanded my ambitions. I now see my career not only as serving my country, Tajikistan, but also as contributing to international cooperation in crisis management and continuity planning," said Dovudzoda, who earned a bachelor's degree in Business Continuity Management.

He took pride in developing skills in areas like crisis leadership, strategic planning, and analytical thinking. "I see myself as someone who can strengthen cooperation between Tajikistan and the UAE - bringing lessons from here back home, while also keeping close ties that benefit both nations," he added.

Indonesian graduate Arifin Setiawan, who completed a master's degree in intelligence analysis, said studying at Rabdan Academy was "a life-changing experience".

"It has shaped the way I think about security - not only as a national concern but as something that connects countries and people," he said.

"The environment at Rabdan is truly unique. Working alongside students from the UAE, Central Asia, and beyond has shown me that the challenges we face are interconnected. The multicultural environment has given me the ability to understand and appreciate different approaches, which I believe is essential for collaboration in intelligence and security," Setiawan added.

Practice over Theory

At the academy, education goes beyond textbooks and the four walls of the classroom.

"From day one, we have been clear: we do not want theory without practice, and we do not want practice without depth.

That is why we built a dual model. Our academic programmes are benchmarked against top universities - we have partnered with institutions in the QS Top 200, and we area candidate with SACSCOC, one of the toughest accreditation bodies in the world," Morse said.

The institute provides students with hands-on training through labs, field visits, as well as crisis exercises. This approach produces graduates that are valued for their critical thinking and ability to perform under pressure.

Technology and innovation are also integral to the academy's approach, Morse said.

"Technology is everywhere in what we do. Our students use AI tools, run cyber defence scenarios, and learn in advanced simulation environments. But the real focus is not just on the technology - it is  on adaptability," he added.

Morse emphasised that they are preparing graduates for jobs that do not even exist yet. "We give them cutting-edge tools, but more importantly, we give them the mindset to keep learning, to stay agile, and to lead in a world where the only constant is change."

Rabdan Academy has also been recognised for achieving a 96% employment rate among its graduates - one of the highest globally.

Explaining the factors behind this success, Morse said: "From the start, we have designed our programmes in close consultation with the very institutions our graduates go on to serve. They know the roles they're stepping into because they have been exposed to real scenarios, real exercises, and the expectations of employers long before they graduate. The diversity of backgrounds is equally important."