84 Emirati graduates turn ambassadors

Suhail Mohammad Al Muhairi never expected to be awarded first place in the Abu Dhabi Ambassador programme's graduation ceremony, but it is an achievement that he will always cherish. He was among four Emiratis who were presented with distinguished achievement certificates during the ceremony, which took place Tuesday at the Armed Officer's Club in the presence of Shaikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), Mohammad Ahmad Al Bowardi, Secretary General, Executive Council, Government of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, and Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director-General, ADTA. "I had worked hard during the programme because I promised my manager that I would do my best but I never expected my name to be called out for this distinction but I'm very happy that I was able to achieve it. All the friends I made in the programme have kept coming up and congratulating me, which is wonderful," Al Muhairi, who is a communications specialist in the Office of the Brand of Abu Dhabi, said. Some 84 representatives of various public and private organisations, such as the Abu Dhabi Police, the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR), the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) as well as students from both Zayed University and UAE University were also among the graduates of both the second class of 2010 and the class of 2011. During the programme's 10-week duration, the participants took part in various workshops, tours and demonstrations that included discussions on the current trends in the tourism sector, the best techniques to enhance visitor experience, as well as business etiquette and protocol. "It was a very interesting experience and I was happy to be a part of such a large group of my peers…it was the first time that I see so many Emiratis in one setting. I was able to learn a lot about Abu Dhabi, including things that I wasn't very aware of before, which will be very useful for me, not only as an ambassador but also for my profession," Ala Nood, a representative from the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), said. The Abu Dhabi Ambassador Progamme, which is an initiative launched by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), provides its Emirati participants with training on how to enhance visitors' experience within the Emirate.