MUDHI ALOBTHANI (ABU DHABI)
For Emirati students studying thousands of kilometres away from home, their university journey is becoming more than an academic pursuit. In China and Japan, they are learning to navigate new cultures, build international connections and represent the UAE through everyday moments of dialogue and exchange.
The UAE Youth Ambassadors Program (YAP) is empowering a new generation of Emiratis to become cultural representatives and future contributors to the country’s global engagement, equipping them with the skills needed to communicate the UAE’s values beyond its borders.
Launched under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, the new edition of the programme is led by the Office of Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs at the Presidential Court, with support from national and international partners.
Over ten months, participants develop through four key pillars — Culture and Diplomacy, Knowledge, Experiential Learning and Media Representation — combining professional workshops, cultural immersion, institutional visits and practical experiences.
Representing the UAE with Excellence
“The UAE Youth Ambassadors Program equips Emirati students with the confidence, cultural intelligence, and competencies required to represent the UAE with excellence,” said Nawal Al Marzouqi, spokesperson for the UAE Youth Ambassadors Program.
She explained that the programme is designed to prepare students not only to communicate the UAE’s story, but also to understand the societies they are living in.
“Through the China and Japan tracks, they learn to navigate cultural nuance, engage effectively with senior institutions and communities, communicate the UAE’s values with credibility, and translate their international experience into stronger bilateral ties,” she said.
The selection process focuses on more than academic achievement. Students are chosen based on their ability to grow, adapt and engage with different communities.
“We seek students who can grow through the programme, contribute to the cohort, and represent the UAE with confidence, humility and responsibility,” Al Marzouqi said.
Culture and Diplomacy
For Nadiya Rashed Al Dhaheri, a Master’s student in Finance at Fudan University in China, joining the programme represented an opportunity to contribute to a mission larger than herself.
“What motivated me to join the UAE Youth Ambassadors Program was the opportunity to contribute to something much larger than my own academic journey,” she said.
Studying in China has shaped her understanding of how relationships between nations are built, highlighting the importance of personal connections alongside official partnerships.
“Despite the fact that governments and businesses create partnerships, it is often people who build lasting trust,” Al Dhaheri said.
As someone specialising in finance, she believes cultural understanding is a key foundation for stronger economic cooperation.
“I recognise that economic cooperation is strongest when supported by cultural understanding and trust,” she said.
Among the programme’s four pillars, Al Dhaheri is particularly interested in developing her understanding of culture and diplomacy, describing it as essential to building meaningful international relationships.
“Diplomacy today extends far beyond official meetings. It happens through everyday conversations, shared experiences, and the willingness to understand one another’s perspectives,” she said.
Representing the UAE abroad, she believes, is reflected through daily interactions rather than only formal occasions.
“I aim to reflect the values that define the UAE, such as respect, tolerance, ambition, generosity, and openness, in the way I interact with people from different backgrounds,” she said.
Strengthening Connections with People
For Butti Hamed Aljneibi, an International Relations student at Tokyo International University, the programme builds on his own journey of discovering Japan’s culture after moving there in 2022.
“Ever since I came to Japan in 2022 and started my studies in International Relations, I realised I have a love for travelling, and learning more about the cultures of other countries and people,” he said.
That curiosity became a motivation to strengthen connections between the UAE and Japan.
“I joined the YAP Program because I want to represent the UAE while also building stronger connections with people from different cultures,” Aljneibi said.
Like Al Dhaheri, he sees culture and diplomacy as one of the most important aspects of the programme.
“I genuinely enjoy introducing and teaching others about the Emirati traditions, values, and our history, while learning about different cultures in return,” he said.
For Aljneibi, cultural exchange creates a foundation for mutual respect and understanding.
He hopes to share a more complete picture of the UAE with his international peers by highlighting the country’s heritage, achievements and future ambitions.
“My main goal is to help others gain a genuine understanding of the UAE beyond the common stereotypes we are all accustomed to,” he said.
Balancing the programme with university responsibilities has also become part of the students’ learning journey, strengthening their organisation, discipline and ability to manage multiple commitments.
“I don’t see my studies and the Youth Ambassadors Program as competing priorities, as they do complement one another,” Al Dhaheri said.
Similarly, Aljneibi relies on planning and discipline to maintain his commitments.
“Discipline and time management have taught me how to remain fully committed to both my university studies and the Youth Ambassadors Program without compromising either,” he said.
Since its establishment in 2012, the UAE Youth Ambassadors Program has built a growing community of more than 230 graduates across 13 cohorts, many of whom continue contributing to the UAE’s global engagement.
For Al Marzouqi, the programme’s ultimate goal extends beyond the ten-month journey, creating a network of young Emiratis capable of strengthening international cooperation across different fields.
“The long-term ambition is to develop a network of globally capable young Emiratis, grounded in their national identity and equipped to turn mutual understanding into concrete and lasting cooperation,” she said.
