New course launched to turn out ‘the best diplomats in the world’

The UAE is seeking to train “the best diplomats in the world” with the launch of the country’s first master’s degree in diplomacy and international relations.

A select group of 27 students is now studying for the new Master of Arts in Diplomacy and International Relations, announced yesterday by the Emirates Diplomatic Academy.

The course is “possibly the first of its kind in the region”, said Bernardino Leon, the director general of the academy, which opened its doors in Abu Dhabi two years ago.

Training diplomats and Emiratis working for, and with, global organisations was essential, Mr Leon said.

“This is a globalised country. We don’t think there are many examples of such an open and globalised country,” he said.

Mr Leon said the UAE was “a global actor and this requires the best diplomats”.

The new master’s degree, which is accredited by the Ministry of Education, can be completed in as little as two semesters, with an option for further study and the opportunity to complete a thesis or take an exam at the end.

The academy already offers a postgraduate diploma, which all those taking the MA have already earned, Mr Leon said.

With limited places, the academy had to turn away prospective students, even though they met its rigorous academic standards.

Those already enrolled will study courses ranging from US and European foreign and security policy towards the Middle East, to international relations and diplomacy, and extremism.

The academy hopes to recruit from a wide range of UAE institutions, to train not just diplomats, but others whose employment places them in an international environment.

Mr Leon spent 25 years as a diplomat before taking the post of director general, working for the Spanish government and more recently as special representative of the United Nations secretary general to Libya.

The academy was founded by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces, with a mandate for excellence, Mr Leon said.

“Excellence, because we are trying to support the training of the best diplomats in the world,” he said.

With limited places, the academy had to turn away prospective students – even though they met its standards