Sheikh Hamdan, Sheikh Abdullah Named Deputy Prime Ministers

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, has been appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs, was also appointed Deputy Prime Minister.^[1]  

The decision was made after consultations between Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The announcement included a restructuring of the Council for Education, Human Resources, and Community Development in the UAE. Sheikh Abdullah will head the council, with Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed appointed as vice president. Sheikha Mariam was also named president of the National Centre for Quality Education.

Further changes involved the merging of the Emirates Foundation for School Education and the Federal Agency for Early Education with the Ministry of Education. Sarah Al Amiri, formerly Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, has been appointed Minister of Education.

Abdulrahman Al Awar was named acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in addition to his role as Minister of Emiratization and Human Resources in the federal government.

Ahmed Belhoul was appointed Minister of Sports and President of the Higher Colleges of Technology, while continuing his duties as President of the Emirates Space Agency. Alia Al Mazrouei was appointed Minister of State for Entrepreneurship.