Abu Dhabi: Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates have marked the 60th anniversary of the accession of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to the leadership of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, paying tribute to the Founding Father's visionary leadership, which laid the foundations of the Union and launched the UAE's comprehensive development journey.In statements issued on the occasion, Their Highnesses affirmed that Sheikh Zayed's accession on 6th August 1966 marked a defining milestone in the nation's history, setting the UAE on a path of sustainable development, unity and prosperity. They highlighted his enduring legacy of investing in people, promoting the values of tolerance, generosity and humanity, and establishing a modern state that continues to build on his vision under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said in a post on X: "Today marks the 60th anniversary of the accession of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed, as Ruler of Abu Dhabi on 6 August 1966. On this historic milestone, we recall the beginnings that nurtured our collective journey of progress and laid the foundations of the Union.""Inspired by Sheikh Zayed’s leadership and vision, we will continue to advance his enduring belief that people must always be placed at the heart of efforts to build a sustainable and prosperous future for our nation," the President added.His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, wrote, "Life has taught me that Sheikh Zayed was not merely a leader or a statesman - he was a great idea.""There are great leaders who build nations, and there are great thinkers and reformers who shape people. Sheikh Zayed did both. He built a nation, nurtured its people, and forged a deep and enduring bond between the people and their homeland. Sheikh Zayed will forever remain immortal in the memory of the nation and in the hearts of its people," he added.H.H. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, said, "On the 60th anniversary of the accession of late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE remembers the journey of an exceptional leader who united the nation, laid the foundations for its renaissance, and instilled the values of giving and humanity."H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, said, "The 60th anniversary of the accession of late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan is an occasion to honour the legacy of an exceptional leader who not only built a nation, but also established a school of leadership and humanity that has made the UAE a global symbol of progress, tolerance and peace."His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, said, "Sheikh Zayed's assumption of leadership marked the beginning of a remarkable national journey founded on determination, hard work and a steadfast belief that people are a nation's greatest asset. The occasion is an opportunity to reflect on a legacy that continues to inspire the UAE's progress across generations."

Dubai: As part of its efforts to strengthen the role of the arts in education, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), in collaboration with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), organised a brainstorming session titled ‘Innovation Lab: Integrating Arts and Design into the Educational System.’The session explored mechanisms for embedding arts and design into private school curricula, while developing an integrated framework to identify, nurture and empower talented students.The initiative forms part of Dubai Culture's ongoing efforts to advance creative education, equip future generations with the skills required for innovation, and reinforce Dubai's position as a global centre for the creative economy.Held at the Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children, the session brought together senior leaders and employees from Dubai Culture and the KHDA for a series of in-depth discussions on the current state of arts and design education in schools, as well as the key opportunities and challenges associated with advancing creative education.The session brought together senior leaders and employees from Dubai Culture and the KHDA for a series of in-depth discussions. Picture credit: WAMParticipants also explored ways to integrate creative writing, music, theatre, visual arts, design, culinary arts, project-based learning, and extracurricular reading into school curricula to support the early identification and development of young talent.The session further reviewed existing creative programmes implemented in schools, alongside international best practices and successful models that could be adapted for Dubai, helping strengthen the education system and create a learning environment that fosters creativity and innovation.The session concluded with several key recommendations, including conducting a comprehensive study to identify policies and programmes that could be implemented across schools, mapping opportunities for collaboration and partnerships with relevant stakeholders, and defining priority initiatives for the short and long term.Participants also emphasised the importance of developing a shared vision for the future of arts and education in Dubai, in line with the emirate's ambition to build a knowledge- and innovation-driven creative economy.Ahlam Al Bannai, Director of the Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children, affirmed that the brainstorming session represents an important step towards developing a shared vision that strengthens the presence of the arts in education and creates opportunities for students to discover their talents and abilities from an early age.She said, "The arts are a fundamental pillar of an education system capable of preparing future generations with the skills of innovation, critical thinking and creative expression, enabling them to meet the demands of the future.This reflects Dubai Culture's commitment to developing an integrated education ecosystem that positions the arts as an essential part of the learning experience while nurturing creative talent and supporting the continued growth of the creative economy."The outcomes of the session will help define priorities for the next phase of work and strengthen collaboration among relevant stakeholders, ensuring the development of high-impact initiatives that deliver sustainable outcomes for the education sector.”