Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, attended today the official launch of the Abdullah Al Ghurair Foundation for Education, one of the largest privately funded philanthropic education initiatives in the world.

The event included a signing ceremony with leading universities, Khalifa University, American University of Sharjah, American University of Beirut and American University in Cairo as well as the announcement of three tailor-made programmes designed to support underserved Arab youth.

The Foundation is devoted to equipping Arab youth with the knowledge and skills they need to fulfil their promise as the future leaders of the region. With an investment of $1.1 billion (AED 4.2 billion), it aims to provide high-achieving, underserved Emirati and Arab youth access to educational opportunities, through dedicated scholarship programmes.

On this occasion, Abdulla Ahmad Al Ghurair stated, "This Foundation is but a small contribution in return for the opportunities that our family was given by this country. We hope that the opportunities we provide young Emiratis and Arabs will mark the start of their journey towards greater success and philanthropic giving in the region."

The Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education has committed to reaching a minimum of 15,000 promising Arab youth pursuing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education over the next ten years, as well as supporting 5,000 high-achieving grade 11 and 12 Emirati students at public schools, preparing them to study STEM in top universities.

During the event, Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Chairman of the Abdullah Al Ghurair Foundation for Education Board of Trustees announced the education programmes, stating, "Today, we are telling every Arab youth 'if you aspire to be a leader who wants to give back to your country and region, work hard and set your sight high.' The Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education wants every bright young Arab who may have otherwise not been able to afford a high quality education be able to pursue it."

The Foundation’s programmes, which are now live on the website, include, Al Ghurair Young Thinkers Programme, which has been designed to widen the pool of Emirati college-ready students through up-skilling programmes in English, Math, and Science and Innovation, Al Ghurair STEM Scholars Programme, which will provide undergraduate and graduate scholarships to high-achieving underserved Arab and Emirati students to study STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects in top universities, and Al Ghurair Open Learning Scholars Programme, which will increase access to high quality education through innovative online and blended learning degrees and programmes offered by some of the best universities in the world.

Maysa Jalbout, CEO of the Abdullah Al Ghurair Foundation for Education said, "This is an incredibly exciting time for the Foundation and we are committed to improving the lives of Emirati and Arab youth by working in partnership with some of the world’s best education institutions. Our tailor-made programmes offer more than just financial support; with academic counseling, skills development and mentoring, as well as access to internships, they are designed to prepare our students for their transition to university and the world of work. Ultimately we hope that the Foundation will empower young people to learn for life and to become leaders in their communities and ambassadors of education in the region."

The event held at Zayed University, Dubai Campus was attended by key government and education representatives from across the UAE. Sheikh Mohammed also witnessed the signing ceremony with senior representatives from leading partner universities across the region.

Among those who attended the event were H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of State for Tolerance, Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future, Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, Jameela bint Salem Al Muhairi, Minister of State for Public Education, and other officials.

Source:WAM