TRENDS International Training Institute has launched an advanced training program at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi for master’s students from Johns Hopkins University. This initiative is part of a global Knowledge Partnership that aims to strengthen academic cooperation and enhance the research skills and analytical capabilities of a new generation of scholars and analysts.

This flagship program is part of a broader series of initiatives led by the Institute in collaboration with TRENDS’ international offices. While the first cohort is hosted in Abu Dhabi, additional groups will be welcomed at TRENDS’ offices in Washington and Seoul. The program offers a multi-site training experience that combines field research with advanced analytical insights, reflecting a strong commitment to fostering knowledge exchange and building bridges between East and West.

The initiative reaffirms the Institute’s dedication to developing human capital and expanding its international network through innovative training programs delivered in partnership with some of the world’s leading universities. Its ultimate goal is to prepare a research-oriented generation capable of navigating and responding to global transformations.

Sultan Al-Rubaei, Senior Researcher and Head of the Institute expressed pride in launching this distinguished training program in collaboration with one of the world’s most prestigious universities. He noted that this partnership underscores TRENDS’ broader mission, as well as the Institute’s, to develop research talent and reinforce its standing as a global think tank.

Al-Rubaei explained that the program offers a rich mix of political analysis, future studies, and applied workshops. A select group of international experts will lead lectures and research simulations designed to enrich students’ experiences, equip them with advanced analytical tools, and strengthen their interdisciplinary research skills while deepening their understanding of geopolitical dynamics, particularly in the Middle East and Asia.

He emphasized that this program marks the beginning of a series of future collaborations with leading universities and research institutions worldwide.