UAE-India Leaders Program

The UAE–India Leaders Program combines immersive learning in India and high-level networking opportunities with a view to shaping the future of UAE-India relations.

Exceptional Emirati professionals and postgraduate students will receive premium executive education content from leading Indian institutions, hands-on project experience, and exclusive access to government officials, CEOs, and cultural leaders.

The intention is to facilitate and promote connections between Emiratis and key figures from India’s government, private sector, academia, and cultural industries that will help foster collaborative solutions to shared challenges and build a new generation of leaders to act as enduring bridges between the two nations. 

The 2025-2026 program has three thematic pillars:

1. Science, Technology & Sustainability. This is aimed at engineers, researchers, sustainability professionals, tech entrepreneurs, and healthcare specialists who want to become a bridge for technology transfer and innovation partnerships between UAE and India.
2. Arts Culture & Architecture. This is targeting UAE’s emerging cohort of cultural professionals, architects, media specialists, tourism experts, and creative industry leaders who want to learn from India’s rich history and innovative practices and further cultural ties.
3. International Relations (for postgraduate students only). This is aimed at post-graduate students who want to become leading experts in UAE-India relations as entry-level government officials, policy analysts, diplomatic corps, or early-stage international business professionals.

Joining this program will enhance your CV thanks to the exposure to prestigious international executive education; media coverage and professional visibility opportunities; direct access to senior government figures and business leaders; and possible entrepreneurial opportunities in bilateral trade and partnerships.

Included for all participants:

• Premium executive education content delivered by leading Indian institutions.
• A structured leadership and learning journey designed around UAE-India strategic priorities.
• Elite networking opportunities (including direct access to India's top policymakers and business leaders)
• A lifelong connection with fellow alumni for ongoing collaboration opportunities.
• Mentorship from established UAE-India relationship builders
• All travel, accommodation, meals, and site visits are covered by the Zayed Education Foundation.

There are three main components to the program

1. Pre-departure preparation (UAE): orientation sessions and cultural briefings; mentor assignment and learning objective setting; expert panels on UAE-India strategic priorities.
2. India immersion (10-12 days): curated site visits, institutional engagements, and cultural immersion linked to the selected theme.
3. Post-program integration (UAE): reflection sessions and knowledge synthesis; project development with mentor guidance; final presentations to government leadership

We are looking for mid-level Emirati professionals on a leadership track (with five to eight years of experience) who are working in companies – public or private - with operational links to India.

For the International Relations cohort, we’re seeking UAE nationals enrolled in postgraduate programs (or exceptional undergraduates) - as well as entry-level professionals working at entities such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy. All applicants must have career goals related to UAE-India cooperation and be able to demonstrate leadership potential and extracurricular engagement.

Candidates must be nominated by their company or institution and be able to commit to the full program. Proficiency in English is required.

Participants will gain valuable insight, networks, and collaboration opportunities relevant to their sector, as well as leadership training. For organizations that already have links with India, this will strengthen co-operation.

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