National Defense College

The National Defense College (NDC) of the United Arab Emirates is a premier national security and strategic studies institution located in Abu Dhabi. Established pursuant to Federal Law Decree No. (1) of 2012 and officially opened in December 2013 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the current President of the UAE and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the college aims at preparing senior military officers and civilian leaders for key roles in national, regional, and international security.

The NDC offers an academically rigorous Strategic Security Studies Program that equips its students with intellectual breadth, critical thinking skills, and global perspectives necessary to effectively address complex security challenges.

The curriculum covers a wide range of topics including political, economic, military, social, informational, and infrastructural dimensions of security, enabling graduates to formulate strategic approaches and policies while managing state resources for national interest protection.

The college enrolls senior officials from the military, government, and public sectors, fostering collaboration across diverse security and administrative domains. It emphasizes leadership development, strategic analysis, crisis management, and policy formulation, aiming to cultivate future leaders capable of navigating the multifaceted security environment.

The faculty is composed of distinguished experts from various countries, supported by facilitators who engage students in interactive learning methods. The National Defense College is recognized for maintaining high academic standards through cooperation with local and international universities and research institutions.

It serves as a critical institution for the UAE’s strategic leadership development and national security enhancement, playing a pivotal role in shaping the country’s defense policies and strategies.