Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has rolled out a smart digital platform called ‘Tadreeb’ to transform the way residents learn to drive in the emirate.

The platform connects all driving schools in Dubai, digitising the entire training and licensing journey, from lessons and assessments to permits. Using artificial intelligence, it also personalises training for learners while aiming to improve road safety.

According to Ahmed Mahboob, CEO of the RTA’s Licensing Agency, Tadreeb currently serves over 250,000 trainees every year across more than 27 training centres, supported by 3,400 instructors and 3,000 vehicles.

Every training car is geo-tracked, with data fed into a central system for better monitoring. Since its launch, the platform has:

• Cut waiting times for permits by 50%
• Reduced training costs
• Improved accuracy of trainee assessments
• Helped bring down road accidents involving new drivers

Tadreeb has also won international recognition. It is the first unified driver training platform approved by the International Commission for Driver Testing and recently bagged the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award.

The RTA says it will continue upgrading the system with AI and data analytics to make driving lessons even smarter and safer in the years ahead.

Dubai Police Academy has unveiled a new master’s degree in cybersecurity, the first of its kind among police colleges in the Arab world. The one-year programme, which begins in December 2025, comes with tuition fees of Dh60,000 and is open to both UAE citizens and residents.

Dr Ebtsam Al Awadhi, Director of Graduate Studies at the academy, said the degree will cover four key areas: policies and management, digital forensics, digital infrastructure and security, and scientific research and publishing. Unlike traditional police academic programmes that usually take two to three years, this one is designed to be completed in a single year, requiring 30 credit hours across three semesters and a summer term.

Eligibility/Admission
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in law, security sciences or a related field from a university recognised by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education, with a minimum GPA of 3.0. At least five years of professional experience in cybersecurity is required, alongside English proficiency (IELTS 5.5, TOEFL CBT 5.5, TOEFL IBT 550, or equivalent). Candidates must also pass an academic exam and a personal interview.

Industry-driven approach
Dr Saeed Al Rashdi, a cybersecurity expert, said the programme has been designed in line with market needs. “Practical training will take the largest share, supported by theoretical study, and industry specialists will deliver the teaching,” he explained.

Cybercrime expertise
Dubai Police has been at the forefront of tackling digital crime, with its Criminal Data Analysis Centre working alongside the CID to use AI and advanced systems for detecting criminal hotspots and predicting cyber threats. The force has successfully disrupted high-value cyber fraud operations, including tracking a gang behind a multi-billion-dirham scam.

Graduates of the new programme will be well-placed to support such missions, with strong prospects for roles in the cybersecurity sector, and potentially within Dubai Police’s own cybercrime units.

Registration is now open on the Dubai Police Academy website, with the first intake expected to include 15–20 students.

In his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, has issued a new decree to rename the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charity and Humanitarian Establishment.

The organisation will now be officially known as the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charitable Establishment.

The foundation, first established in 1997, continues to run humanitarian and charitable initiatives in the UAE and abroad. Its work includes supporting education, health, culture, social welfare, religion, and relief efforts for communities affected by crises and disasters.

It also provides financial aid to families in need, supports patients with medical treatment, and offers assistance to students and educators.

The Establishment will remain under the supervision of Dubai’s Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department and the Community Development Authority, ensuring compliance with local laws regulating charities and fundraising.

The decree took effect upon its publication in the Official Gazette.