SHARJAH — Sheikh Salem Bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, chairman of the Sharjah Ruler's Office, was in attendance at the graduation ceremony of the 10th batch of Sharjah Leadership Program (SLP) held yesterday, at the Al Jawaher Reception & Convention Centre (JRCC) here.

The ceremony also witnessed the launch of the next edition’s theme ‘Leading with Knowledge & Imagination’. SLP is organized by Sharjah for Capability Development (SCD), a subsidiary of the Rubu’ Qarn Foundation for Creating Leaders and Innovators.

The 10th SLP was organized in partnership with the American University of Sharjah and INSEAD Business School. The program is designed to enhance the skills of future leaders based on their area of expertise, enhance their knowledge and stimulate excellence and creativity, to shape their roles at their workplaces, and ultimately raise Sharjah’s profile as an attractive environment for innovation and leadership in all fields.

The American University of Sharjah and Bocconi School of Management, Milan, Italy, have been identified as SLP’s next edition academic partners. The key focus of the 11th edition will be the ‘concept of culture’. Through the program’s curriculum, participants will be encouraged to think and apply themselves creatively, making it the core of their innovations. Milan’s cultural legacy and their success in business will be the focus of the programme’s participants who will be taken on field visits to the country to study their culture, art, their role in improving the creativity and leadership of young citizens.

At the graduation ceremony, Reem BinKaram, member of the Board of Trustees of Rubu’ Qarn Foundation for Creating Leaders and Innovators, said: “The program was launched 10 years ago and has produced over 400 graduates who have trained at leading organisations in the UK, USA and Singapore. They have met with peers and exchanged ideas at the likes of Cambridge, INSEAD and Stanford.

“These efforts are in line with the commitment of the UAE and Sharjah to invest in human capital, and continues the important work done in the field by the country’s visionary leader late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.”

BinKaram added: “SLP has grown tremendously, thanks to the directives of the Ruler of Sharjah, and the continuous support it has received from both government and private sectors. Our efforts are embedded in our belief that we must train our youth to help build a post-oil economy and lead the future diversification efforts of the UAE.”

Sultan Al Saberi, head of Human Resources, Bee’ah (SLP’s strategic partner), said: “Bee’ah has been an SLP partner for five years. It is a great achievement to see participants doing so well at the program and working diligently to complete it successfully. We are confident that they will use their experiences to continue their journey of excellence and lead positive change in Sharjah and the UAE.”

Dr. Björn Kjerfve, chancellor of American University of Sharjah (SLP’s Academic Partner), said: “The SLP team was instrumental in making this program a reality, and they continue to work with us at the AUS Center for Executive and Professional Education, to advise on program design and learning requirements to maintain relevance in the market. Through them, hundreds of Sharjah professionals have had the opportunity of gaining new knowledge and skills that are immediately applicable to their workplace.”

He pointed that the partnership between ‘Sharjah for Capability Development’ and American University of Sharjah is a great example of a sustainable relationship between university and government.

Commending the graduates’ hard work and perseverance throughout the year, he said: “I would like to call on you to tell your friends and colleagues about the Sharjah Leadership Program and encourage them to apply. Tell them that the program will help support them with confidence, and the sense of overcoming any types of fear, and also tell them about the potential for career advancement and your sense of achievement!”

Later, Sheikh Salem Al Qasimi delivered certificates to the graduates, and wished them success in their professional lives.

Sheikh Salem Al Qasimi also thanked the partners and sponsors for their contribution in supporting the program: The strategic partners are the Ministry of Economy and the Department of eGovernment, the Sharjah Environment Company (Bee'ah). The sponsors are Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, NAMA Women Advancement Establishment, Sharjah International Airport Authority, Sharjah National Oil Corporation, Emirates Islamic Bank, Petrofac and Fast Building Contracting Company.

The ceremony also honored The American University of Sharjah and INSEAD (as academic partners); Sharjah Media Corporation, Sharjah Government Media Bureau and its affiliate digital news website Sharjah 24 (as Media Sponsors); Etihad Airways and Sharjah University City transportation (official carriers).

A short film has been screened to showcase the key achievements of the Sharjah for Capability Development and its successful journey.

The ceremony was attended by Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, executive chairman of the Department of Government Relations, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Humaid Al Qasimi, director of Sharjah Department of Statistics and Community Development (DSCD), Rashid Ahmad Bin Al Sheikh, chief of the Sharjah Emiri Court, members of the Board of Trustees of Rubu’ Qarn Foundation for Creating Leaders and Innovators and a number of heads and directors of various departments and institutions from the public and private sectors. — SG