UAE's NCM Earns Status As WMO's New Regional Training Hub For Asia

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) in the UAE has been designated as a new WMO Regional Training Centre (RTC) for Region II (Asia) by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). This recognition, endorsed by the WMO Executive Council, followed a comprehensive review of NCM's facilities and programmes offered in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Polytechnic (ADPoly).

The review highlighted the exceptional standards of education provided, not only for national courses but also for international short courses, workshops, and conferences. These advanced facilities will serve as a hub for regional collaboration and expertise in weather, climate, and water science.

Following the announcement, Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director-General of NCM and President of WMO, stated, "This achievement is a testament to the UAE's commitment to advancing meteorological and hydrological knowledge across the region. It reflects not only the dedication of NCM but also the UAE's ongoing pursuit of regional cooperation and scientific advancement."

He added that this centre will equip professionals with the essential tools to address critical weather, climate, and water-related challenges. Mustafa Adiguzel, Scientific Officer of the Education and Training Office at WMO, said, "We look forward to working with NCM to implement comprehensive training programmes that cater to the unique needs of the region while enhancing the technical capabilities of our member countries."

NCM is equipped with excellent facilities, including classrooms, meeting rooms, a library with WMO publications, a laboratory with access to all data and products, a large conference room fitted with advanced technologies, a TV studio, a media centre, and a unique science dome.

In collaboration with ADPoly, NCM offers national and international short courses and hosts diverse activities such as meetings, workshops, and conferences. In 2014, NCM and ADPoly collaborated to build an educational infrastructure to develop skilled manpower in meteorological services for the UAE.

Hands-On Training Opportunities

NCM plays an integral role in students' education by providing hands-on training opportunities for future meteorologists, climatologists, and hydrologists. Through on-the-job training at NCM and collaboration with industry partners, students gain practical experience essential for their careers.

NCM focuses on competency-based short-term training courses, including on-the-job training (OJT) and standard operating procedures (SOP), while the ADPoly Meteorology Department educates high-performing students to provide meteorological services using advanced technologies.

Role of WMO RTC

A WMO RTC is an institution or coordinated group of institutions that provides training in meteorology, hydrology, and related sciences to address the needs of the region. The designation of NCM as an RTC underscores its pivotal role in enhancing regional capabilities in these critical fields.

With inputs from WAM