National Experts Program | NEP

NEP 4.0

NEP 4.0

The fourth cohort of NEP is made up of 25 remarkable Emirati experts from government, business and academia representing key sectors key for the UAE’s centennial strategy.

NEP 4.0 consists of five main learning tracks, each aimed at developing participants’ expertise and sector leadership skills.

Academic coursework: The nine modules are structured to help participants build upon foundational knowledge as they progress. 

Mentoring and coaching: Mentors provide regular advice on career progression and executive coaches enhance personal development.

Immersive and community activities: Participants use their expertise for the benefit of communities and for greater social impact. 

Sectorial networking: Participants engage with global and local experts on the evolution and opportunities of their sector.

National Priority Journeys: These Journeys are designed to apply participants’ technical expertise in service of an existing government initiative aligned with the UAE National Agenda. 

The expanded 12-month program features a self-assessment process that helps candidates better understand personal values and character strengths; personalized classes and electives to reinforce and develop skills; and community service to strengthen the link between the program and Emirati communities.

Economic Growth Social Development Sustainability and Infrastructure

The Economic Growth cluster includes sectors that contribute to ensuring a resilient and future-proof economy that is knowledge-based, diversified, and human-centered.

The Social Development cluster includes sectors that act as pillars of a thriving, healthy community, positioning the UAE as a secure, tolerant, and cohesive society, and expanding opportunities for all in the country.

The Sustainability and Infrastructure cluster includes sectors that shape the infrastructure agendas, policies, and solutions required to ensure sustainable development while preserving the environment.

Sectors

The three clusters and 23 sectors of NEP 4.0 are key to the UAE's centennial strategy and to the prosperity of the nation.

Economic Growth

The Economic Growth cluster includes sectors that contribute to ensuring a resilient and future-proof economy that is knowledge-based, diversified, and human-centered.

  • Economic Development

    Economic Development

    Participants in this sector work to promote a sustainable and diversified economy, adopting new economic models and partnerships, and developing strategies to guarantee the prosperity of the nation.
  • Advanced Sciences and the Future Economy

    Advanced Sciences and the Future Economy

    Participants in this sector are at the forefront of transformation, research, and development. They work in various fields of scientific research, either in higher education or in Industry.
  • Technology and Innovation

    Technology and Innovation

    Participants in this sector play a transformative role in ensuring a purposeful, sustainable, and inclusive future through technology and innovation.
  • Space

    Space

    Satellite Technology: In this sector, participants work in areas involving satellite technology. This sector is key to better understanding our planet and identifying strategies for the UAE to accelerate scientific advancement for societal benefit.
    Space and Cyber: Participants in this field are involved with new technologies in the UAE’s defense, space and cybersecurity industries and work on the required collaboration between public and private sectors for its growth.
  • Media

    Media

    Participants in this sector strive to make the UAE a thriving business and innovation hub by enabling media professionals, enhancing their ecosystem, and supporting digital production and distribution channels.
  • Tourism and Hospitality

    Tourism and Hospitality

    Participants deploy new domestic and international strategies in this sector to ensure the growth of the tourism and lifestyle sectors as the consumer landscape that sustains these industries faces new opportunities and challenges.
  • Artificial Intelligence

    Artificial Intelligence

    Participants in this sector seek to advance artificial intelligence capabilities and integrate them into various fields with the goal of enhancing human capabilities and achievements.
  • Financial Services

    Financial Services

    Participants in this sector will explore the changes made in banking and finance from technological advancements, changing consumer behaviors, and regulatory developments.
  • Defense Services

    Defense Services

    Participants in this sector work on how the UAE is investing in technological innovation and R&D efforts to strengthen the UAE’s defense system and its position as a leading defense supplier.
  • Security

    Security

    Participants in this sector explore technological innovations and research in the fields of security, criminal justice, and forensics with a focus on enhancing crime prevention and investigation techniques.

Social Development

The Social Development cluster includes sectors that act as pillars of a thriving, healthy community, positioning the UAE as a secure, tolerant, and cohesive society, and expanding opportunities for all in the country.

  • Philanthropy

    Philanthropy

    Participants in this sector work as social entrepreneurs or with foundations, non-profits, philanthropic or voluntary organizations to address societal issues with the goal of building happier and more inclusive societies.
  • Education

    Education

    As technology transforms the education sector, participants in this field are at the forefront of future-proofing the UAE’s education systems and curricula to contribute to a knowledge-driven nation.
  • Health and Well-Being

    Health and Well-Being

    Participants in this sector aim to make the UAE a world leader in quality of life through a variety of strategic initiatives, including promoting healthy and active lifestyles, developing precision medicine, and setting frameworks to ensure optimal mental and physical health.
  • Community Development and Social Services

    Community Development and Social Services

    Participants in this sector work to achieve social harmony and promote national identity. Their efforts contribute to fostering community cohesiveness, keeping social welfare, inclusivity, and the well-being of the UAE’s diverse community at the forefront of the country’s agenda.
  • Digital Government Services

    Digital Government Services

    Participants in this sector contribute to the growth of digital measures to create an effective, efficient, smart, and interactive government experience, catering to public needs in all sectors of the the economy.
  • Culture and Identity

    Culture and Identity

    Participants work in the fields of heritage protection and the strategic growth of cultural and creative industries, strengthening the role of culture in diplomacy, education, and the infrastructure of the arts and culture market.
  • Foreign Affairs

    Foreign Affairs

    Participants work in positions where they represent the UAE, NGOs, academic centers or international organizations, participating in analysis, problem-solving or policy-making to develop solutions to newly emerging global challenges.
  • Policymaking

    Policymaking

    Participants in this sector seek to improve the policymaking process in the UAE.  From injecting public participation to robust feedback processes, participants identify best practices for policies to achieve the desired goals and outcomes.

Sustainability and Infrastructure

The Sustainability and Infrastructure cluster includes sectors that shape the infrastructure agendas, policies, and solutions required to ensure sustainable development while preserving the environment.

  • Mobility and Logistics

    Mobility and Logistics

    Participants contribute to shaping modern, future-facing economies by developing and optimizing domestic mobility systems and leveraging the UAE’s advantageous geographic location to galvanize global connectivity and sustainable logistics.
  • Energy and Renewables

    Energy and Renewables

    Participants shape the UAE’s energy strategy, which includes developing strategies to increase the contribution of clean, renewable, and nuclear energy, reducing the average carbon footprint, and managing greenhouse emissions.
  • Food and Water Security

    Food and Water Security

    Food Security: Participants work to ensure food security in the UAE by contributing to strengthening global supply chains and diversifying supply sources. Participants develop projects to support local agriculture, and enacting strategies to improve nutrition and reduce waste.
    Water Innovation: In this sector, participants promote water resources in the UAE by contributing to strategies to address the UAE's water scarcity challenges. They focus on solutions such as desalination, water recycling, and efficient management practices to ensure sustainable and reliable resources.
  • Biodiversity

    Biodiversity

    Participants address the challenges of preserving native species, habitats, and ecosystems in the UAE. Participants also focus on the role of the UAE in the global conversation on diversity, especially in the context of the UN COP for biodiversity.
  • Sustainability

    Sustainability

    Participants address key environment and climate priorities in the UAE aimed at conserving resources, reducing environmental impact, and promoting well-being with balanced and responsible approaches through policymaking and developing national initiatives.