His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, attended Tuesday the graduation ceremony of the 46th batch of cadet officers of Zayed II Military College in Al Ain. The ceremony coincided with the 50th anniversary of the university’s founding as well as the UAE’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.

His Highness congratulated the graduates and wished them success in serving their nation as members of the UAE Armed Forces. Over the last five decades, graduates from the Zayed II Military College have demonstrated high levels of loyalty and determination in defending their homeland and extended a helping hand to people in need, His Highness said, national news agency WAM reported.

Sheikh Mohammed added that the strong values of the graduates of the Zayed II Military College reflect the love and loyalty for the nation that the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan has instilled in the people of the UAE. Following in Sheikh Zayed’s footsteps, President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, continue to uphold these ideals, His Highness said.

During the ceremony, attended by senior armed forces officers, members of the foreign diplomatic and military corps, and families of the graduates, Brigadier Amer Mohammed Al Neyadi, Commander of Zayed II Military College, delivered a speech in which he praised the UAE leadership’s decision to establish Zayed II Military College just two months after the UAE’s foundation, making it the first college of its kind in the country.

Brigadier Al Neyadi added that over the last 50 years, the institution has provided graduates with the military knowledge necessary to fulfill duties with the highest efficiency. He invited the graduates to share their knowledge and experience with their subordinates and harness their capabilities to achieve the future vision of the leadership.

Following the speech, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid honored the top cadet officer graduates. The officers honored included: Hadi Al Ahbabi; Sultan Mohammed Al Saadi Al Shehhi; and Sultan Ahmed Abdullah Al Balushi. His Highness also honored Bakil bin Kamal bin Ahmed Al Ruwaishan, a graduate from Yemen as well as the ceremony commander Ahmed Rashid bin Al Darbi Al Ketbi.

During the ceremony, Sheikh Mohammed watched a parade of the college graduates and received a commemorative gift on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of Zayed II Military College.

His Highness also took commemorative photos with the graduates, along with H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Council for Border Crossing Points Security; Lt. General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi, Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces; Mattar Salem Ali Al Dhaheri, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Defense; and Brigadier Amer Mohammed Al Neyadi, Commander of Zayed II Military College.

His Highness also took a commemorative photograph with veterans who are alumni of Zayed II Military College.