H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum attended the graduation of the second cohort of the Lead & Design Programme
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), attended the graduation ceremony of the second cohort of the Lead & Design Programme, an initiative designed to empower national talent with future-focused design and leadership skills.
Organised by the Dubai Future Foundation, the programme equips participants with creative leadership tools rooted in design thinking methodologies that prioritise community needs and aspirations, fostering innovative, human-centered solutions.
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan affirmed that Dubai’s youth are a vital part of shaping the emirate’s future and highlighted the importance of equipping them with design thinking and creative problem-solving skills to enhance the delivery of innovative and people-centric services.
“Developing national talent will continue to be one of our most important strategic priorities in shaping the future of Dubai and the UAE,” His Highness said. “We are determined to ensure that Dubai remains one of the world’s most future-ready cities – driven by its creative talent, design-thinking mindset, and forward-looking leadership.”
He added:
“Design thinking is an innovative and vital approach to addressing challenges and improving services. We expect participants in the Lead & Design Programme to contribute to their entities by applying these future-focused skills and developing solutions that place people first.”
The graduation ceremony was attended by Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Managing Director of DFF; Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications and Deputy Managing Director of DFF; Helal Al Marri, Director-General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Board Member of DFF; and Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of DFF.
The second cohort of the Lead & Design Programme included 38 participants from across the UAE’s public and private sectors. Over 14 weeks, participants engaged in interactive workshops, field visits, and lectures focused on design thinking, innovation, and leadership.
Guided by subject matter experts, participants explored future scenarios and applied design thinking principles to real-world challenges. The programme culminated with the presentation of projects addressing key themes such as enhancing government services, improving quality of life, protecting the environment, advancing education, and empowering People of Determination.
The Lead & Design Programme forms part of DFF’s broader mission to build national capabilities, drive innovation, and develop future-ready leaders equipped to design and implement solutions that contribute to Dubai’s continued transformation as a global hub for innovation and sustainability.
