UAE expands 'Musta'dim' programme to include marine and food security pathways to foster future sustainability leaders

The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has now rolled out the third round of its “Musta’dim” programme. Building on the momentum of those earlier versions, they’ve widened the scope, now including new specialised pathways in marine environments as well as livestock and food security.

The programme aims to introduce school pupils to the interconnected worlds of environmental protection, sustainability and food systems, through hands-on, practical learning rather than just classroom slides and lectures. Instead of relying solely on theory, the programme actually places students in real-world settings to observe scientific work, ask questions, and test out ideas for themselves. Officials say this approach is meant to strengthen their knowledge, boost confidence, and, perhaps most importantly, encourage young people to think about careers in sectors that will be vital to the UAE’s future economy.

Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, the Minister of Climate Change and Environment, mentioned that the programme reflects a broader national focus on human capital development. She described investing in people as the foundation for achieving strategic goals across different sectors. She also noted that “Musta’dim” offers pupils valuable hands-on experience while they learn about industries that are likely to shape the country’s economy down the line. She added that this initiative is part of a bigger effort to prepare a generation capable of innovating and leading in building a more sustainable future.

Now, the third edition signifies a clear expansion from previous years. One new track focuses on marine ecology, and another one centres on livestock and food security. This shift is quite significant especially for a country where coastal ecosystems, aquaculture, animal health and resilient food supply chains are all topics within the same policy conversation. The ministry clarified that these additions are meant to broaden students’ perspectives by exposing them to a wider variety of environmental and production challenges.

The marine pathway is being organised with Khorfakkan University and the Sharjah Marine Sciences Research Centre, which is part of the university itself. Meanwhile, the livestock and food security pathway is delivered in partnership with Sharjah’s Department of Agriculture and Livestock, along with Mleiha Dairy Farm. Choosing these partners gives the programme a more practical, applied feel, linking academic learning directly with specialist expertise from the public sector and existing facilities.

This structure mirrors a growing trend in the UAE, where collaborations between government bodies, educational institutions, and field stations are increasingly emphasised. Dr Al Dahak explained that capability-building depends heavily on cooperation between agencies, universities and strategic partners. She also mentioned that empowering young people with knowledge, practical exposure, and opportunities to connect with experts is a long-term investment in maintaining the country’s leadership in sustainability, climate action and food security.

The Ministry has also signalled that each round of “Musta’dim” aims to be more ambitious than the last. According to their statement, programme content is reviewed and refreshed yearly to ensure it stays aligned with national priorities, and features future-looking themes around environmental conservation, sustainability and food resilience. The new tracks introduced this year follow that logic, expanding the programme into sectors that are becoming increasingly interlinked and relevant.

For the Department of Agriculture and Livestock in Sharjah, the programme continues a familiar goal: nurturing a pipeline of talented local professionals. Dr Khalifa Musabah Al-Taniji, department chairman, said that “Musta’dim” reflects the vision of preparing young Emiratis to meet future demands and contribute to the development of agriculture and animal sectors. He also noted that it provides students an opportunity to understand how government works, build skills, and gain practical knowledge that’ll help them in the labour market.

The department describes its involvement as part of a broader effort to create training environments that bridge academic learning and real-world experience. That’s especially important in a sector where biosecurity, production quality and animal health all require highly trained personnel. The initiative also connects with the UAE’s wider push to localise expertise in vital food systems, reducing reliance on imported knowledge.

At Khorfakkan University, Dr Ali Hilal Al Naqbi emphasised that educating young people about marine issues today is an investment in the country’s sustainability plans. He linked the programme directly to the vision of Sharjah’s ruler, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, whose support for research and education has always shaped the emirate’s academic environment. Dr Al Naqbi said that the university’s College of Marine and Aquatic Sciences, together with the Sharjah Marine Research Centre, along with broader international cooperation in ocean conservation, provides a solid scientific foundation for developing expertise nationwide, so that the country can better address environmental pressures and secure marine resources for future generations.

The programme is set to unfold in two phases in August. The first, from 3 to 6 August 2026, focuses on the marine environment and is aimed at pupils in grades nine to twelve. Students will engage in a variety of activities around marine ecosystems, ocean science, research methods, water quality testing and aquaculture. The schedule includes laboratory sessions, field trips, and scientific projects too.

The second phase runs from 17 to 20 August, targeting pupils in grades six to eight and concentrating on livestock and food security. That part offers practical workshops in veterinary medicine, biosecurity, food quality and processing, ending with a hackathon, where students can create solutions to tackle sector-specific challenges.

What really sets “Musta’dim” apart is its focus on experiential learning. Students don’t just learn about policy or theory, they actually get involved with real-world problems, work in teams, and hear directly from practitioners working on the front lines. The ministry says this kind of hands-on approach helps sharpen critical thinking, foster innovation, and deepen understanding of environmental challenges.

More than just a summer programme, officials suggest that it forms part of a wider innovation journey, starting with identifying issues and generating ideas, moving into mentorship and development, and finally culminating in competitions and presenting projects on national platforms. In this way, “Musta’dim” serves not just as educational and training, but also as a potential pipeline for future innovators.

For those involved in the UAE’s climate and sustainability sectors, the programme’s scale and vision are noteworthy. The country has already shown a willingness to combine public engagement with practical tools, everything from environmental apps, to dedicated climate-learning spaces. “Musta’dim” adds to this by targeting early-stage students, before career decisions are made, and by connecting classroom concepts directly to sectors where the UAE is actively investing to build resilience.

As the third edition rolls out, the ministry seems determined not to treat it as just a seasonal activity but to make it more strategic, bigger, broader, and more impactful. The new pathways in marine science and food systems embody this ambition: to cultivate a generation that understands the complex links between environmental stewardship, national food security, and the technology needed to support both.