The NRF began life on March 9th 2008 with a very small team. During 2008 this team will undertake the preparatory work needed to create the direction for the NRF and its processes and program plans.  NRF aims to fulfill its mission by supporting research activities in the following seven areas:

·Discovery: develop and maintain a solid foundation of world-class research across a range of nationally relevant disciplines.

·Linkage: encourage and extend cooperative approaches to research between universities, government and industry.

·Research Infrastructure: increase the level and quality of research infrastructure in UAE.

·Innovation and entrepreneurship: contribute towards the building of an internationally competitive innovation system and culture of entrepreneurship in UAE.

·Research education and training, and careers: contribute to high-quality research education and training, and foster career opportunities for early career researchers, particularly UAE nationals.

·Public engagement: increase public and government awareness and understanding of the benefits of national research and the important results from NRF funded projects.

·Good governance: implement best-practice governance and organizational structures consistent with transparency and accountability.

As a start-up organization it is important that NRF adopts, at the outset, best-practice governance procedures, transparency practices and accountability systems to ensure that it builds trust and confidence with its stakeholders. To this end NRF has identified three international research funding agencies, in particular, that have systems and practices suitable for emulation in UAE context: the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF); the Australian Research Council (ARC); and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). With the guidance of these three agencies NRF will put in place an extensive international peer review system to determine projects for funding and a post-award financial management system to monitor expenditure and performance.

NRF will be a relatively small organization and will use international benchmarking to ensure that its operating budget stays within the international standard range for similar agencies.

During the next three years NRF will introduce a range of funding initiatives that fall neatly into three areas:

·         Research Excellence Centers;

·         Strategic Initiatives;

·         Competitive Awards & Grants

In the first instance the Research Excellence Centers (RECs) will be located in the three federal institutions: United Arab Emirates University; Higher Colleges of Technology; and Zayed University. The selection of RECs will be based upon advice from international review panels. Strategic Initiative Grants will be made to unleash potential research capacity that is currently latent or invest in some important infrastructure that may lead to immediate expansion of research activity. In addition support will be provided to recruit some international research talent to bring to UAE for purposes of knowledge transfer and research leadership. Competitive Awards & Grants will be made to researchers in any university or college in UAE if their proposal satisfies an international peer review competition. 

The CERT Group of Companies began as the commercial arm of the Higher Colleges of Technology in the United Arab Emirates, and has grown to be the largest private education provider in the Middle East. CERT is also the largest MENA (Middle East North Africa) investor in the discovery and commercialization of technology, investing USD 35 million in 2006.In 2005 CERT signed the largest Telematics deal in history, with IBM, that has led to the development of Telematics technology in the United Arab Emirates. CERT provides the only on-demand supercomputing center in the South Asia, Middle East, North Africa region. The CERT Blue Gene supercomputer offers 5.7 teraflops calculating speed to corporate clients for use in biotechnology, nanotechnology, and genetics research as well as oil and gas simulation.CERT Technology Park in the UAE is home to several international companies including IBM, Intel, Honeywell and Alcatel-Lucent.

CERT also leads human capital development by offering total education solutions to both corporate and individual customers. CERT is involved in strategic alliances with a number of large multinational organizations in developing a diverse range of business and technology solutions. CERT holds the MENA training rights for many ‘best in class’ programs. CERT is also the exclusive health and environment educator for the General Health Authority. The CERT Institute for Languages offers instruction in several languages, and is also the sole provider of linguistic training to the UAE military. Post-graduate programs offered include the University of Strathclyde MBA and the Deakin University Master of Education.

Other organizations presently in operation include:

The CERT Thales Institute (CTI)

CERT Teacher's College (CTC)

?  Encouraging positive activism by the youths of Emirates and the Gulf region, in all the national issues, including political participation issue and building the consultation system based on responsibility and review.

?  Working actively with the thinking elite of Emirates and Gulf region, and strengthening the opportunities of meeting between them, through joint seminars and workshops.

?  Establishing channels for dialogue and communication between the general public and the officials in Emirates and Gulf, bridging the existing distance, and pushing the political authorities to listen to the people’s expectations and ambitions.

And the general goals that the centre works to achieve include: 

1- Presenting the UAE in the political, social, economic, and intellectual fields, while emphasizing the existing diversity of the country.

2- Presenting the experts and symbols of Emirates in the different fields and presenting their production internationally.

3- Deepening the concept of dialogue, and encouraging cooperation between society's spectrums, and intellectual streams.

4- Supporting civil society institutions, and presenting its activities, and enabling it to contribute in building the state of institution.

5- Preparing and documenting the studies, researches, statistics, and different information in relation to UAE.

6- Emphasizing the concept of respecting human rights and public freedoms.

7- Advocating the concept of respecting women's rights in Emirates.

Pan Arab Research Center (PARC) is a well-established and qualified research and information system house based in the Arabian Peninsula, with its Regional Center located in Dubai. In addition, PARC operates through a network of full-fledged independent branch offices in each of the following countries: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Sultanate of Oman, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan and Yemen.

PARC was founded in 1976. Born in the Arab World, For the Arab World; PARC is a multi-faceted company with a wide variety of interests. It is an incessant contributor in all areas of marketing, providing timely and accurate information about specific / general marketing problems, building on past experience, introspecting the present situation, and anticipating the probable future, to offer data, advice and consultancy services that marketing managers can use to make sound decisions.
Our team is comprised of more than 400 full time staff (research executives, analysts, programmers, translators and marketers) working together with a large pool of data entry operators, interviewers and field supervisors.
PARC’s team comes together as a professional research body through training and experience of the members who share the same vision and goals. Our dedication and professionalism makes it possible to pursue our objectives and continue our growth.
PARC has developed capabilities and methods in handling large-scale multi-market media and consumer research, and a specialist line for Qualitative Research.

Mission:  To maintain a standard of excellence that not be compromised. 

PARC will continue to build on its reputation in the field of market research as a company which uses scientific instruments and accurate research methods to service clients and the Industry.
We constantly endeavor to accept new business challenges and demonstrate resourcefulness, versatility and scientific spirit to complete complex projects successfully and efficiently.

 PARC   Research:

·Marketing Research:  Qualitative Research & Quantitative Research

·Media Research: Ad - hoc Media Research; TV Audience Ratings; National Readership Surveys; Multi Media Surveys; Targeted Audience Research

Syndicated Research: Target Group Index; Omnibus; Advertising Monitoring ; PR Monitoring

The Arab Science and Technology Foundation is an independent, nongovernmental, non-profit regional and international organization. Scientists and researchers from inside and outside the Arab world as well as representatives of Arab and international science centers and organizations have contributed to its establishment. It is based in Sharjah, UAE, and is seeking to set up branches and links in those Arab and world capitals that have scientific entities willing to participate in its activities.

ARAB SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMUNITY

The Arab Science & Technology Community comprises Arab scientists, researchers, innovators in Technology, and individuals involved in the technical aspects of science and technology, both inside and outside the Arab countries.

ASTF came into being in 2000 upon the recommendation of 400 Arab scientists from all over the world. One of its main purposes is to provide an informal umbrella for activities which bring together the numerous alienated research centres scattered throughout the Arab world, which have a direct impact on the Arab scientific community inside and outside the Arab countries.

The Arab world has a wealth of human resources, but their activities in scientific research are not well coordinated: ASTF seeks to coordinate their efforts, and to develop and mobilize human resources in support of S&T. The twentieth century witnessed the migration of many Arab researchers to more advanced countries, seeking better opportunities for their research. As a result, today there is a wide gap of know-how dividing these researchers from their counterparts in their homelands. 

ASTF seeks, through a variety of activities, to support the S&T community by creating links and networks in both the private and governmental sectors, to harness know-how in the Arab world. ASTF also seeks to integrate efforts by encouraging collaborative research projects and transfer of know-how to accelerate progress 

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH
ASTF promotes the dissemination of know-how by coordinating the efforts of collaborative research centres throughout the Arab world. The main aim is to obtain outcomes at international standards yet at cheaper costs, with the creation of simple solutions to common Arab problems.

One main interest of ASTF is Water & Energy. On this front, ASTF has the following two lines of activities:

·      Developing a road map on water desalination and purification for the Arab world. Two forums have been held so far for handling this issue:

o  In May 2004, in Marrakech, Morocco;

o  In May 2005, in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

o  Solar Water Desalination Project.

·      Signing an agreement with the National Bureau for Research & Development in Libya to implement a Joint Arab Project Water Desalination by Solar Energy.

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH - PROJECTS

WATER DESALINATION BY SOLAR ENERGY
(Water Desalination by Solar Energy)

The project is an ideal opportunity for collaborative research since participation is only determined by scientific specialization. In addition, it provides numerous research areas, whether in water, renewable energy, materials science or any other sciences related to the project. The long duration of the project and the possibility of practical application provide a great opportunity to conduct extensive and profound research, which means the participation of a group of scientists or a number of scientific organizations in one or more collaborative research projects.

WATER DESALINATION AND PURIFICATION IN THE ARAB WORLD
(Water Desalination and Purification Technologies in the Arab World)

The project is based on an extensive research effort distributed over research groups that include numerous scientific organizations from all Arab countries. In other words, the project is a collaborative research effort between a number of Arab countries and aims to provide a service to the nation as a whole.

Vision : Our Vision is to be the Memory of the Nation.

Mission: Our Mission is to Connecting people with the history of the United Arab Emirates.

Objectives : The Center for Documentation & Research aims to collect historical and rare documents, supervise their restoration, and use them for the benefit of the public.

The Center preserves and indexes historical documents using all available scientific methods as these documents are considered as official vessels of information needed for scientific and historical research. Towards achieving its goals, the Center is carrying out the following:

1.      Receiving and handling historical and specialized documents, which are of a national interest to the UAE-according to rules and regulations in effect.

2.      Gathering and documenting material for the oral history archives, then preserving them and providing easy access to them, all procedures are carried out according to scientific methods.

3.      Gathering records from outside the UAE (or obtaining copies of them) specially documents concerning the history of the UAE.

4.      Categorizing preserved documents, providing easy access to them, put them to use, and finally providing the suitable indexes, catalogues, and guidebooks.

5.      Protecting records from decay factors, repairing and restoring decayed records, and applying all necessary measures and procedures of safety and conservation.

6.      Preparing and publishing studies and researches that best serve the aims of the center to show the cultural values and accomplishments.

7.      Assisting researchers interested in data available in the Center.

8.      Holding seminars, conferences, training programs, and workshops in relation to the aims of the Center.

9.      Participating in local and international seminars, conferences, training programs, and workshops in relation to the aims of the Center.

Masdar Institute of Science and Technology is the world’s first graduate-level institution dedicated to providing real world solutions to issues of sustainability. The Institute’s goal is to become a world-class research-driven institution at the graduate level focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies. Located in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Masdar Institute aims to support Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification by nurturing highly-skilled human and intellectual capital and partnering with industry leaders in a way that will lead to a knowledge-led economy. Masdar Institute integrates theory and practice to incubate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. In order to fulfill its mandate, the Institute has a strong collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

With MIT's help, Masdar Institute is working to develop the critical thinkers and leaders of the future and with its world class faculty and top students, is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change. Only the brightest UAE nationals and international graduates who demonstrate exceptional intellectual and entrepreneurial strengths and are committed to addressing the world’s energy needs will join Masdar Institute: students who want to learn to change the world.
Masdar Institute, under the umbrella of Masdar, a subsidiary of the Mubadala Development Company, aims to be a provider of human capital and technology that will enhance the position of Abu Dhabi as a leader in global energy. The Institute also seeks to be a leading renewable energy and clean technology player by providing a test bed for the world to develop commercially viable, sustainable energy solutions.  The Institute aims to provide applied research “feedstock” for the four corporate arms of its allied Masdar group and the UAE as a whole.

Masdar Institute is situated in Masdar City, an emerging global clean-technology cluster that aims to be one of the world’s most sustainable urban developments, powered by renewable energy and will provide students with the unique opportunity to live and learn in a true “living laboratory” environment.

Vision:

·   To be a world-class graduate-level institution, seamlessly integrating research and education to produce future world leaders and critical thinkers in advanced energy and sustainability.

·   To position Abu Dhabi as a knowledge hub and engine for socioeconomic growth.

Mission:

·   To establish and continually evolve interdisciplinary, collaborative research and development capability in advanced energy and sustainability.

To educate students to be innovators with the breadth and depth necessary to grow technology and enterprise regionally and globally.

To demonstrate the value of saline water resources for the production of environmentally and economically useful plants and to transfer the results to national research services and communities in the Islamic World and elsewhere.

Mission
ICBA mission is to demonstrate the value of saline water resources for the production of environmentally and economically useful plants, and to transfer its research results to national research services and communities in the Islamic world and elsewere. development center located in Dubai.

Mandate

ICBA will help water-scarce countries improve the productivity, social equity and environmental sustainability of water use through an integrated water resource systems approach, with special emphasis on saline and marginal quality water.

ICBA's key partners  

• National and public institutions
• Ministries of agriculture and water resources
• Universities
• Local, regional and international research centers
• Development agencies
• Private sector companies

ICBA is an applied research and development center located in Dubai, UAE. Its mission is to develop and promote the use of sustainable agricultural systems that use saline water to grow crops. The center, originally known as the Biosaline Agriculture Center, initially focused on forage production systems and ornamental plants in countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council and other parts of the Islamic world. The technologies we develop are, however, of global value and importance. Wherever farmers face problems of saline soils or irrigation with salty water, ICBA is here to help.        

The origins of ICBA date back to the late 1980s and the early 1990s, when scientists around the world started taking a greater interest in saline water and the possibilities of using it more productively. International conferences in 1990 at the Islamic Development Bank in Jeddah and at the UAE University at Al Ain concluded that an R&D center to promote biosaline agriculture in the Gulf region should be established.    
            
A series of expert consultations initiated by the IDB in 1992 outlined the objectives and activities of the new institute. In November of that year, the IDB Board of Executive Directors approved financing for start-up operations. The Bank commissioned an international consulting firm to undertake a detailed feasibility study for the development of the center. The consultants identified the major irrigation and salinity problems in the Arabian Peninsula and determined that productive agriculture and effective greening projects could be conducted with highly saline irrigation water, particularly at salinities between 6,000 and 15,000 parts per million (ppm). They also found that little was known about salt-tolerant plants, and that adequate infrastructure for evaluating salt tolerance or for developing management strategies for effective use of saline irrigation was unavailable.    

A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) was established to advise the consultant during the feasibility and development phases. The committee was comprised of members from Australia, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the UK and the USA. TAC ensured that ICBA would make major contributions to both its target countries and to global biosaline technology. It also helped develop the early phases of ICBA’s networking program.

Consultations between the Bank and the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) led to the selection of the UAE as host to the new center. In 1996, an agreement was signed between IDB and the Government of UAE, represented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, establishing ICBA as a formal entity. IDB also attracted additional financial support for the center from the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development and the OPEC Fund. In 1997, the Municipality of Dubai donated 100 hectares of land at Al Ruwayyah, 23 km south of Dubai. The site was developed in 1997 and 1998, with 35 hectares being leveled and prepared for irrigation trials by the Municipality of Dubai. The remainder of the station has been kept in its original state of native rangeland.

Interviews for the initial professional staff positions were held in November 1998, and the first appointments were made in August 1999. The Center's first Director General, Dr Mohammad H Al-Attar, took up his post in September 1999. The initial work of this core group of staff was to develop the center's initial program of work and strategy.

The Emirates Foundation for Philanthropy (EF) is an independent, philanthropic organization set up by the Government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to facilitate new public-private funded initiatives to improve the welfare of all people across the UAE.

The Foundation assists people, institutions and community organizations that contribute to the nation’s long-term progress and sustainability. It is supported by donations from the private sector, the government and private individuals interested in philanthropy.

Its programmes and projects relate to three key themes: Youth Leadership, Knowledge Creation and Society & Culture. Specific initiatives related to these themes are developed within five core programmes: Social Development, Education, Arts & Culture, Science & Technology, and Environment.

As a national effort, the Foundation uses a variety of mechanisms to identify and fund qualified individuals, organisations, and community projects in every region of the United Arab Emirates. The Foundation offers grants to – and administers – strategic projects, helping empower the UAE people to achieve their full personal and intellectual potential.

It actively encourages the practice of social service, particularly among young men and women and private companies, and seeks to fill gaps in key areas of concern while improving the occupational qualifications of young Emirati professionals.

The UAE has a great legacy of social and cultural values and the Emirates Foundation strives to uphold these to promote a highly motivated, informed and goal-orientated nation. Through institutional grants, fellowships, research awards, and philanthropy-led initiatives in various key areas, the Foundation aspires to raise the profile of UAE peoples and their institutions, as well as the reputation of its corporate citizens.

Its mission is consistent with the ideals of the nation’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

DuBiotech Advantage:

Free Zone Benefits

Companies operating within the DuBiotech community are offered a unique set of commercial benefits and incentives as a result of their Free Zone status. These include:

100% tax exemption ; 100% repatriation of capital ; Tax free salaries for all employees; 100% foreign ownership ; Easy incorporation with minimal formalities ; Government Services Division (including registration, fast track immigration and customs procedures) ; Guaranteed 30-50 years exemption from personal, income and corporate taxes ; Long term land leases

Life Science Cluster benefits

DuBiotech offers an industrial cluster environment with all elements of the Life Science industry under one roof, making it the ideal destination for Life Sciences companies.

Proximity to customers and suppliers –DuBiotech is geographically near to Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, the Asian Subcontinent and the Eastern Mediterranean. These regions have a population of over 2 billion people and a combined GDP of around US$ 7 trillion.

Strong regulatory frame work – Consulting services are provided by the DuBiotech Regulatory & Science Affairs department

Excellent networking opportunities in the Hub –This is promoted by the Partners Development Management department.

Sustainable and favorable business environment

Worldwide recognition of the cluster

Single window services – Licensing, visas, etc – provided by Government Services Office

Commercial, residential, educational and recreational facilities
 

Strategic Location

The DuBiotech site is ideally situated in Dubai and occupies a prominent location between Al Khail and Emirates Road highways. It is just 10 minutes from Dubai International Airport and 60 minutes from Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE. Additionally, its located 15 minutes from Jebel Ali Port for easy imports, exports and logistics operations. Also, DuBiotech is 15 minutes away from Al Maktoum Airport, expected to be the world’s largest airport and cargo hub upon its completion.

The Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research (DHFMR) supports cutting-edge collaborative research, and seeks to establish sustainable research and education programs focused on diseases relevant to the population in the broader Middle East region. Through these activities, DHFMR enables the region’s best minds to focus on a new era of scientific promise, while contributing to advances that ease the suffering caused by disease.

DHFMR is designed to attract the best training, research, and health care practices to Dubai, the Gulf and Middle East Region. The scope for research is broad, and will take full advantage of the extensive global network of expert faculty, researchers and educators at Harvard Medical School, Harvard University and other counterparts in the Middle East.

The Foundation is creating a permanent endowment to:

·   Build human capital by identifying, supporting and training medical and scientific leaders for Dubai, the UAE, the Gulf and Middle East Region

·   Fund collaborative research initiatives and research fellowships directed at priority disease areas for the region

·   Support collaborative research between Harvard Medical School research centers and labs in the region that will build sustainable research programs in the Middle East

·   Develop a sustainable infrastructure in Dubai for an international exchange of scholars

The effects of DHFMR’s support of research programs and individual researchers will be felt throughout the region. Harvard Medical School has already pioneered strategies to translate science into clinical applications and treatments to benefit patients. Research supported by DHFMR will address some of the most pressing healthcare needs of the Arabian Gulf, such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurological disorders.

DHFMR will replicate the Harvard Medical School research model in Dubai and the Middle East.  The impact on Dubai and the UAE’s economy will truly be significant, consolidating Dubai’s and the UAE’s status as a regional incubator of innovation and enterprise. DHFMR will take full advantage of the continuous innovations occurring within Harvard and regional medical communities. Young investigators, physicians and researchers from the region will benefit from, and augment, these discoveries, assuring applications that are relevant to the population of Dubai, the UAE and the Middle East.

Incorporation and governance documents for the Foundation are drawn up within Massachusetts State Law and in accordance with laws governing charitable foundations within the United Arab Emirates.

The Dubai Cord Blood & Research Centre (DCRC) will be the Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology, bridging Research, Education and Industry through national and international Collaboration. The Dubai Cord Blood & Research Centre (DCRC), the first of its kind in the region, is being set up under the direction of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Industry, and the generous donation from His Highness General Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai. The centre was officially opened on June 6th 2006 .

DCRC Staff welcoming Message

We like to think of making the birth of your baby count twice; the new life of your new baby and the new life the cord blood could bring to someone else's child.Think of it as an investment in your family's future. Provide a second chance for those patients who need a stem cell transplant and who cannot find a matched donor, by donating cord blood you give someone else a second chance at life.

 Mission: The mission of the Dubai Cord Blood and Research Centre is to support patients in need of a stem cell transplant by banking umbilical cord blood from the nationals and residents of the UAE accompanied with continuing quality improvement in an environment that fosters cellular therapy and research.

Vision: To find medical and scientific remedies for thousands of patients nationwide suffering from life-threatening diseases using umbilical cord blood stem cell therapy.

Step by step services:

•  Contact DCRC to enroll in the public or private storage program.
•  Place your collection kit next to your overnight bag and bring it with you to the hospital when you go into labor ( if you deliver outside DOHMS hospitals).
•  After your baby is delivered and your midwife collected the cord blood notifies DCRC at any time 24 hours, 7 days a week and we will send our courier service to pick up the Cord Blood. ( The Cord Blood Unit must kept in room temperature not than 30 hours).
•  Once your baby's Cord Blood has arrived, our laboratory technologists will carefully review the unit and necessary paperwork.
   DCRC carries out extensive laboratory tests, including: a precise count of the stem cells, bacteriological and virological testing by the latest methods to exclude the presence of infectious agents.
•  The Cord Blood is then processed to separate the different cell types into layers so that the stem cell layer can be removed and stored.
   The stem cells are transferred into a special bag ready to be cryo-preserved.
•  Your baby's cord blood is now placed in a monitored liquid nitrogen tank for 10-15 years until needed. The final storage temperature should remain stable at -196c.

What is umbilical cord blood?

Umbilical cord blood is what remains in the placenta following birth. The placenta is the temporary organ that transfers oxygen and nutrients to the baby via the umbilical cord while in the mother's uterus. Until recently, in most cases, the umbilical cord and the placenta were being discharged after birth. In the last decade, scientists and researchers have discovered that the umbilical cord blood could supply stem cells, the hidden treasure of life. The process is simple; the umbilical cord blood is collected, the stem cells are isolated and stored frozen.. 

What is stored umbilical cord blood used for?

Umbilical cord blood is a rich source of blood stem cells. These cells can be used to replace blood-forming cells in a person being treated for cancer or other life-threatening diseases such as haemoglobinopathies, leukaemias, inborn errors of metabolism, immune system deficiencies and numerous genetic diseases. Stem cell transplantation often offers hope for cure to many patients

When is cord blood collected?

It is collected from the placenta and umbilical cord after the delivery of your baby. The collection process will not change your labour in any way. No blood will be taken from your baby. The safety of birth and delivery, your privacy and that of your baby are of paramount importance.

Is cord blood collection painful or risky?

Harvesting of cord blood is safer and more efficient than harvesting bone marrow from a donor. Once banked, it will become readily available whenever needed, with little or no chance of rejection. Furthermore, cord blood stem cells are not only a perfect match to your baby, but it has an increased probability of a match for the baby's siblings and can potentially be used for the baby's parents or grandparents

Who has the right to use the cord blood?

Your child's cord blood is reserved for your family's use, and you have full control over its usage

If I banked cord blood from one child, should I bank the next?

YES!

First, you don't know if the tissue type of the next child will match the previous child. Your children's HLA types come in pairs; in each pair, one is from the mother and one is from the father. The odds of siblings being a perfect match are 1 in 4. A cord blood transplant with a 5/6 or 4/6 mis-match of key HLA types carries less graft-vs-host disease than a perfect 6/6 bone marrow transplant.

How do you protect my baby's stem cells against potential contamination from other samples?

Each client sample is suspended in vapor-phase cryogenic isolation, which protects your family's cells and eliminates the risk of cross-contamination from other samples that can occur in liquid phase storage.

How long can cord blood stem cells be stored in liquid nitrogen?

Current data reflects that cord blood cells stored for fifteen years have the same composition as they did at the time of storage. All science involving cryogenic storage of cells also indicates that the cells should remain viable indefinitely.

How long will my baby's stem cells remain viable in the kit after collection?

For the best results, we want our clients to have the largest collection possible and to get the sample back to us as soon as possible. We request that each sample be received at our laboratory between 24 to 32 hours after collection. To be safe, we should receive the sample no later than 36 hours after the collection is performed

Do the stem cells have to be kept at room temperature before shipping?

Yes, the cells should be kept at room temperature. Not surprisingly, stem cells like body temperature. Never refrigerate the kit, expose it to freezing temperatures or extreme heat like in a closed vehicle or car trunk.

The Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) was founded by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 1985 and operates as a Government diagnostic center that fulfils the following important roles throughout the United Arab Emirates and neighbouring countries:

• ?To co-operate directly with national and international veterinary services.
• To aid in the diagnosis, prevention, control and eradication of infectious and non-infectious animal diseases by:

• Providing diagnostic testing for various animal species (camels, horses, falcons, cattle, small ruminants, avian, fish, bees, zoo and pet animals) to veterinarians and animal owners.
• Performing pre-import testing to prevent the introduction of exotic animal diseases.
• Providing pre-export testing for horses.
• Providing diagnostic surveillance facilities.
• To provide training, to do research, to develop and adopt new diagnostic techniques and new vaccines.
• To publish scientific papers and establish scientific links with national and international laboratories, universities and organizations as well as to exercise quality control.

To organize national and international conferences on animal diseases (such as the Eighth International Equine Infectious Diseases Conference held in Dubai in 1998 and the International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians (ICRAV) held in Dubai in 2004).

Research at DSG

• Research comprises the core of the Dubai School of Government’s mission to create knowledge, disseminate best practice and train policy makers in the Arab world. In this regard, the School strives to meet a dual challenge of academic rigor and policy relevance with the research that it conducts, both as an institution and in cooperation with its regional and international partners.
• The School’s faculty, researchers and non-resident scholars are the foundation for undertaking research. They have a diverse range of research interests, covering such issues as public administration and governance, gender, economic development, international relations, community development, and operations management. 
• DSG Experts Guide: Concise biographies and specializations of DSG researchers in one document.

Research

e-Government

The ever growing interest in e-government by governments, businesses, civil societies and academia in the Arab countries is a strong indication that the region has entered a new era in public administration. Today, research focusing on e-government in the Arab countries is gaining unprecedented importance for public policy makers, the business community and civil society at large.

Gender and Public Policy

Despite the large body of research which documents the existence of serious gender inequalities in education, health, economic and political participation in the Arab world, there are few initiatives in the region today which define research-driven agendas for informed policy change. The Gender and Public Policy Research Program aims to contribute to the academic scholarship on gender and public policy in the Arab world while simultaneously incorporating gender perspectives on public policy into the education of future and current leaders taught and trained at the Dubai School of Government.

Public Management

As Arab governments strive to keep apace of the challenges and opportunities that globalization presents, there is growing realization of the dire state of and pressing need for public sector reform. Across the Arab world, efforts are being made to decentralize power so that local authorities enjoy more autonomy, that accountability of public officials vis-à-vis their citizens is increased, and transparency permeates the access and exchange of information. By disseminating experiences in public administration, and exposing Arab governments to international practices, the Dubai School of Government is setting a framework for the examination of the variables affecting the success of reform efforts in the Arab world.

Youth Inclusion

Over the last 20 years, Middle Eastern countries have made investments that have expanded education and health, and that have significantly reduced poverty. Now the region faces a new development challenge: how to create economic and social opportunities for young citizens that are commensurate with their education and expectations. This is the challenge of youth inclusion. Over 100 million youth between 15 and 29 years old now represent 30 percent of the region’s population. The opportunities they have to receive quality education, decent employment, affordable housing and the power to shape their communities will largely determine the future of the Middle East.

The ICT Fund is one of the UAE TRA initiatives. The UAE's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (RTA) has launched an Information and Communication Technology Fund (ICT Fund), in an attempt to enhance the UAE's ICT sector. Mohammad Al Ganem, the ICT Fund's Vice-Chairman, said the fund had resources of $54m and the country's two telco operators, Etisalat and du, are contributing 1% of their revenues to it.

The formation of the ICT (Information & Communications Technology) Development Fund was orchestrated by the UAE Supreme Committee for the Supervision of the Telecom Sector in collaboration with the TRA, and is considered the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).  The Fund’s target is to achieve rapid, progressive and solid developments in the ICT Sector’s intellectual capital, technological leadership, smart research, innovative ideas, and incubating start-ups.

The Fund launched its operations to jump start innovation within the ICT Sector in the UAE. It receives its financing from a 1% of the annual net profit of the UAE two telecom operators, where it is inviting proposals for funding. The Fund’s Board is chaired by the TRA and encompasses high level professionals and dignitaries from the ICT private sector, the academia, and the two telecom operators of the UAE, “Etisalat” and “Du.”

The vision behind establishing the Fund may be summarized by achieving a global leadership position for the ICT Sector of the UAE via fostering and developing innovation and creativity. Yet, the mission of the Fund is to provide funding and advisory services to companies, organizations and individuals that can strengthen the innovation and knowledge capital level of the ICT Sector of the UAE with their research, education and entrepreneurial activities.

The Fund is committed to financing and nurturing projects related to Research, such as Research Projects and R&D Centers; Education, such as Educational Institutions and Student Scholarships; and Entrepreneurship, such as Business Incubators. Organizations and individuals undertaking projects that would develop the ICT Sector of the UAE will be funded in accordance with the nature of the applicant. Universities, Research Institutes and Companies are eligible for receiving funding for Research Projects, R&D Centres, Business Incubators and Educational Institutions;  Entrepreneurs are eligible for receiving funding for Research Projects, Business Incubators and Educational Institutions; Students are eligible for receiving funding for Research Projects and pursuing Higher Education in ICT related majors; and Individual Researchers are eligible for receiving funding for Research Projects.

Targeted services to drive innovation

The ICT Fund's key objective is to drive the strategic development of the UAE ICT sector in order to strengthen the innovation and knowledge capital level of the market by providing research, education and entrepreneurial opportunities. The ICT Fund will initially focus its funding and technical and advisory services on supporting the following core areas to create significant, sustainable innovation:

Incubators

Nurturing business incubators in the UAE that support the development of new ideas and provide early stage startups with financing, management expertise and infrastructure support

R&D projects

Enabling research teams to carry out world-class research, both basic and applied, and advancing the level of theoretical understanding of ICT subjects as well as their real world applications

R&D institutions

Supporting the creation of high-quality R&D institutions in the UAE that focus on basic and applied research and that contribute positively to the ICT sector of the country

Educational scholarships

Providing educational scholarships to support the education of motivated and capable individuals who are keen to work in and contribute to the UAE ICT sector

Educational institutions

Strengthening and setting up educational institutions that offer quality ICT-related courses and that will groom future talent for the country

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences is the most prominent and prestigious award of its kind in the region. UAE can and should be really proud of being the motivating force behind the ongoing fast-paced medical research activities in the region. Progress in the field of advanced medical research is the basic support line for creating a vibrant health service system. An award of this composition and stature could go a long way in initiating radical changes in the health service sector of the region in general and the UAE in particular. The Health Ministry is very proud to support this award and will continue backing this noble mission headed by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. There are so many thousands of good doctors, scientists, and researchers doing outstanding work all over the world that it would be impossible for us to even know about all of them. The Awards, however, do provide us the opportunity to honour some of the dedication and hard work that improves the lives of human beings globally. Science is an evolving, ever-changing body that needs us to constantly learn and update ourselves with the latest findings and techniques by meeting others and learning from them. The Awards enable our doctors to learn from the best of the best, and this experience is absolutely priceless.

The objectives of the awards are:

To honour individuals, universities, establishments and research centres all over the world for their outstanding achievements in the field of medicine.

To honour individuals who, in the past, have contributed to the alleviation of suffering by helping to provide medical care to the people in the UAE.

To honour individuals who provided voluntary humanitarian medical services with the objective of easing the suffering of people subjected to exceptional circumstances such as catastrophes, epidemics, famine or wars etc.

To encourage the development of institutions dedicated to research and scientific method in the Arab world.

To enhance the relations between doctors in the UAE and the international medical centres in order to benefit from their expertise.

To support distinctive medical research and to encourage their publication in the Emirates Medical Journal.

Acorn Research, a Dubai Medical Health City based company, has launched its rich content website ( www.acornresearchgroup.com ).

Acorn Research is a privately held sister company of Acorn Group, an innovative consulting firm headquartered in Ontario Canada. Acorn Research FZ LLC , based in Dubai Healthcare City was established to focus solely on the Middle Eastern market to provide innovative consulting solutions based on research. Acorn Research is now the leading and most innovative Consulting and Market Research firm in the Region. 

Firm in Dubai that provides marketing consultancy; services: qualitative research, quantitative research, usage and attitude studies, customer satisfaction studies, corporate image studies, data collection, tele-research, etc.

The Centre for Arab Genomic Studies

In the Arab World, genetic diseases represent a major public health problem. Several factors contribute to the wide prevalence of genetic disorders in the region including the high rate of consanguinity, social trend to have more children until menopause, selective factors favoring inherited disease characters like thalassemia and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, and the lack of public awareness towards the early recognition and prevention of inherited disease.

The vision of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum to alleviate human suffering from genetic diseases in the Arab World crystallized in the establishment of the Centre for Arab Genomic Studies (CAGS) to characterize and prevent genetic disorders and transfigure the future practice of health care in the region. The Centre was inaugurated on 25th June 2003 by H.E Hamad Abdul Rahman Al Midfaa, Minister of Health, Chairman Board of Trustees of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences, at the Genetic Centre of Al Wasl Hospital. At present, offices of the Centre for Arab Genomic Studies are located within the premises of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences, Dubai, UAE.

CAGS includes two scientific committees: The Executive Board of CAGS is composed of a number of local scientists and it represents the governing body and the legal trustee of all activities of the centre. The Council of CAGS includes a number of regional scientists and it facilitates the exchange of information on genetic disorders occurring in Arab countries. Countries represented in the Council of CAGS currently include: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates. In the future, CAGS aims to extend memberships to a larger group of scientists and include other Arab countries.

Some of the priority objectives of the Centre for Arab Genomic Studies are to educate the public and professionals alike on the important impact of genetic diseases in the Arab World and the methods and benefits of early genetic diagnosis. The Centre for Arab Genomic Studies also plans to provide comprehensive genetic services by translating research achievements into well-integrated patient treatment programs. Concurrently, it will also address the ethical, legal, and social issues that may arise with the implementation of such programs.

Madar Research Group is a Dubai Media City-based company established in June 2002 to conduct primary and secondary B2B research on the Knowledge Economy in the Middle East.

 Madar Research Group is a Dubai Media City-based company established in June 2002 to conduct primary and secondary B2B research on the Knowledge Economy in the Middle East. While the Middle East is one of the fastest growing information and communication technology markets in the world, this growth is hampered by the lack of relevant market data and research that is in-depth, reliable and timely. Madar Research Group aims to fill the void in the Middle East for primary and secondary research by creating a unique source of authoritative information through its research center, publications, events and online presence. Madar Research team comprises the best talent in the region with over 20 years of experience in the fields of information technology, research, media/journalism and publishing.

The Petroleum Institute (PI) was created  in 2001 with the goal of establishing itself as a world-class institution in engineering education and research in areas of significance to the oil and gas and the broader energy industries. The PI’s sponsors and affiliates include Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and four major international oil companies. The campus has modern instructional laboratories and classroom facilities and is now in the planning phase of three major research centers on its campus in Sas Al Nakhl, Abu Dhabi. Currently the PI offers Bachelor degrees in Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical, Petroleum and Petroleum Geosciences, as well as Master of Engineering degrees in Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical and Petroleum Engineering. New engineering and science programs will be added in the future as needed.

The engineering programs have received initial accreditation from the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and will be accredited by international institutions in due time. The PI is affiliated with the Colorado School of Mines and the University of Maryland (College Park), and is in the process of establishing working relationships with other major universities and research institutions around the world to capitalize on joint research areas of interest. Currently there are over 1000 undergraduate students (818 male and 219 female) and close to 50  graduate students recently enrolled in graduate courses  at The Petroleum Institute. The Institute reached a major milestone in June 2006 with the first 44 graduates emerging from the engineering programs and going on to start their careers within the ADNOC group of companies.

The ADNOC Research Centre at the Petroleum Institute (ADPIRC) in Abu Dhabi is dedicated for the advancement of science, technology and local capabilities to address the needs of the petroleum industry in UAE and the region. This Centre will house world-class academics, scientists and industry partners working together on cutting edge research in various interdisciplinary research in petroleum geosciences and engineering, in chemical, mechanical, and electrical engineering and in applied sciences. Through the collaboration of ADNOC group of companies, international share holders, energy service providers and industrial corporations, innovations and technology advancement will progress quickly from basic research and development to commercialization in the marketplace. 

The centre is currently in the design phase and is expected to be completed by mid of 2012. We are seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Liaison Project Manager to support the ADPIRC Director along with a team of experienced architectural, engineering, construction and facility management experts who have designed and built research & development facilities worldwide. 

Roles and Responsibilities:

 Together with the Director and the R&D management team, the Liaison Project Manager is responsible for creating an intellectual environment that promotes scientific excellence and that attracts and retains the highest caliber scientific staff.

• Shares with the director the responsibility for the management and the administration of the R&D centre

• Develop and deploy the project plan for the implementation of the AD PIRC and monitor, track and measure the  progress of project during design, construction and commissioning

• Build and maintain relationships with Department Chairs, the ADNOC operating companies’ focal points and actively support significant collaborations with other laboratories and universities, and industrial partners

• Supervise and coordinate the R&D project database at the centre

• Help the Director in increasing the quality and value of associated scientific research as measured by high-impact scientific publications, international reputation and  innovation

• Ensure that all applicable safety, security, and administrative policies and procedures are appropriately implemented 

EBTIC - The Vision

To be an enabler for innovation in United Arab Emirates through investment in people by creating one of the largest Next Generation networks, Systems and Services research and innovation centres in the Middle East through partnership between Etisalat, BT, KUSTAR and the UAE Government.

EBTIC - The Mission Statement

To establish a centre of excellence for research and innovation in Next Generation Networks and ICT Systems and Services by attracting talent from across the world to the UAE and attempting to build a regional innovation network.

To promote world-class research, technology transfer, research training and open innovation in Next Generation Networks and ICT Systems and Services in its core development plan.

To put in place the support infrastructure to facilitate, encourage and enable industry collaboration with the UK and the UAE research-active academic institutions and governments.

To commit to an inter-disciplinary effort involving major IT companies and top Universities. This diversity of skills and ability to scale allows it to effectively tackle a wide range of research and citizen-facing applications in the Telecommunications Engineering and Services space.

To create IPR and commit to achieving commercial exploitation of its research and innovation outputs by the industrial partners as well as through licensing arrangements.

To create a Virtual Graduate Research School to provide postgraduate research training/exchange/industrial internship opportunities for citizens of UAE.

The INSEAD Innovation and Policy Initiative (IIPI) was set up in April 2010 on the Abu Dhabi campus to work with governments across the Middle East region on innovation policy related issues. Its mission is to become a leading resource and knowledge hub on the role of government in fostering innovative activities in businesses and the wider community.
 

In that pursuit, IIPI engages in three main activities: Problem-oriented policy research, outreach activities, and the development of learning materials.
 

Problem-oriented research activities are research activities undertaken on behalf or in partnership with public or private entities that require scientifically generated solutions. These can be initiated by INSEAD or upon request from an external party.
 

IIPI’s outreach activities revolve primarily around the policy community in Abu Dhabi and the Middle East. These are interactive events involving policymakers, practitioners and the academic community. They are organised with the aim of advancing common understanding of the nature of certain problems and potential solutions for them. IIPI will also enhance its outreach through a host of dissemination activities, including academic publications, policy-briefings, research seminars, and the establishment of a public web site.
 

The development of learning materials is at the core of IIPI activities with the goal to transfer the learning generated from its research and outreach activities into the wider community of policymakers and decision-makers through INSEAD’s MBAs and Executive Development Programmes.

What is ATIC?

Established in 2008, the Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC) is a specialist investment company mandated to focus primarily on the global advanced technology sector. ATIC's sole shareholder is the Government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The company has a clear and single purpose:

To deliver superior financial returns to our shareholder by responsibly and sustainably investing in, and building, leading technology companies around the world.

Our approach is fundamentally different to that of other technology-focused investment organizations. Recognizing that real change takes time, and that value creation is more about sustainable wealth generation than short-term profit creation, we are committed to a long-term investment horizon. This patient capital approach ensures that our investments are strategic and transformational rather than tactical and opportunistic and, as a result, can deliver superior returns to both our portfolio companies and our shareholder.

Initially focused on the semiconductor industry, ATIC's potential scope is global and will focus on leading technology companies and centers in Europe, the U.S. and Asia.

Why ATIC?              

We believe, simply, that it comes down to our three core assets - our patient capital philosophy, our perspective and our people.

Our Patient Capital

Globally, the advanced technology sector is a high-value, capital-intensive and knowledge-based industry. ATIC has a significant capital base (underpinned by our shareholder's AA+ rating) as well as a long term investment philosophy. This enables us to make the large-scale, focused and long-term investments that are critical to driving real transformation in the hi-tech sector.

Our Perspective

Advanced technology is a highly complex, competitive and dynamic industry that requires in-depth knowledge and intelligent management on a global scale. ATIC is committed to evaluating the long-term potential of a company and the underlying merits of its technologies and investing in a smart, synergistic way that is beneficial to all concerned.

Our People

Investing in the best and brightest people is a key priority of the organization. We attract and retain the very best investment and technology professionals from around the world, with proven track records of success across a number of well recognized companies.

Our people are focused, disciplined and rigorous in their approach to identifying high value investment opportunities and then managing them, so that they yield the greatest long-term returns.

ATIC also benefits from the insights and experience of a diverse network of expert advisors from around the world.

Our team, including the Board, shares a strong culture and a common vision which will ultimately underpin the long-term success of the company.

RAK CAM was founded in late 2007 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. The creation of RAK CAM comes in the middle of the scientific and technical revolution of Advanced Materials. In the last decade enormous progress has been made in the synthesis, characterization, and understanding of materials with atomic dimensions.

The Ras Al Khaimah Centre for Advanced Material (RAK-CAM), a flagship program for advanced materials research in the Middle East, has been launched Monday, October 29, 2007 during a press conference held at the Al Hamra Fort Hotel, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.

Research Areas

• Nanomaterials for Diverse Applications
• Inorganic & Hybrid Materials
• Materials for Environmental Remediation and Hydrocarbon Processing (Catalysis and Separations)
• Materials for Water Purification and Conservation
• Materials for Solar Energy Applications & Energy Storage Systems
• Advanced Structural Materials, Ceramics and Composites
• Polymeric Materials & Polymer Nanocomposites
• Biomaterials & Biofuel Technologies

Research Teams

RAK CAM research will be organized around 8 Interdisciplinary Research Groups, each consisting of 4-5 permanent members; these will be supported by a permanent technical and administrative staff as well as short-term (3 year) post-doctoral researchers.
RAK CAM has established H.H. Sheikh Saqr Al Qasimi Research Fellowship Program to support young scientists in research laboratories associated with RAK CAM. In addition, several Visiting Professors will be invited to join RAK CAM.

The research facilities of RAK CAM will include an integrated State-of-the Art system for materials synthesis and preparation, analysis, testing and characterization, together with an advanced research computing capability.

The Materials Characterization facility will include High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HRTEM), Scanning Electron microscopes (SEM), Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray Single Crystal Diffractometer, NMR Spectrometers, mass spectrometry, Optical spectroscopic techniques, surface characterization techniques, catalysis, and polymer characterization techniques.

RAK CAM is committed to ensuring that technical innovations and inventions move efficiently from the research bench to the private sector and to developing productive industrial partnerships. The materials characterization facility will serve the local and regional industry and will seek industrial collaborations in joint research projects

The establishment of RAK-CAM will position Ras Al Khaimah as a key contributor to the long-term technological development of the Middle East, by emerging as a global leader in advanced materials research that addresses critical issues in areas such as alternative energy sources, construction, water purification and environmental preservation.

The project will also provide educational and training opportunities for aspiring scientists and engineers from both the U.A.E., and internationally.
In addition to pursuing ground-breaking research on advanced materials, the Centre will carry out research in support of local industries and spawn new business opportunities in the form of start-up companies. A search is currently under way for the RAK-CAM Director and interviews are expected to be held in late 2007.
"RAK-CAM is part of Ras Al Khaimah's ambitious growth program and supports our mission to boost the emirate's reputation as a proactive contributor to the economic development of the region. Moreover, the Centre will encompass a very broad scope of interdisciplinary materials science, including areas concerning energy security and sustainable development in Ras Al Khaimah," said Matt Sawaqed, Executive Committee Member, RAK-CAM.

The scope of RAK-CAM will embrace interdisciplinary materials science in the broadest sense. In the first instance, RAK-CAM will comprise a Director, an Associate Director, 8 research scientists, and several visiting professors.

These personnel will be supported by permanent technical and administrative staff, as well as post-doctoral researchers and graduate students. A state-of-the-art 6000 square metre building is currently being designed by Consolidated Consultants - Jafar Tukan Architects; and construction is expected to commence in early 2008.

"The Ras Al Khaimah Centre for Advanced Material will usher in a new phase in the emirate's quest for excellence in materials science and technology. As a world-class, state-of-the-art facility, the Centre offers tremendous benefits to all sectors worldwide. Moreover, we also look forward to creating new and exciting prospects for education and training, as well as improving the quality of living in Ras Al Khaimah. These forward-looking goals will be pursued in part by leveraging opportunities for international collaboration," said Professor Anthony K. Cheetham, Chairman of RAK-CAM.
Honorary Chairman H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al Qasimi, has graciously agreed to be the Patron of RAK-CAM.
A distinguished Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) has been established, comprising Prof. Anthony K. Cheetham, Chair (Goldsmiths' Professor of Materials Science at the University of Cambridge), Mr. Naser Bustami (Managing Director of Stevin Rock), Professor Mildred Dresselhaus (Institute Professor of Electrical Engineering and Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Sir Richard Friend (Professor of Physics at the University of Cambridge), Professor Michael L. Klein (Director of the Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Materials at the University of Pennsylvania), Prof. C.N.R. Rao (Linus Pauling Professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research in Bangalore), and the Hon. Dr. Peter Watson (President and CEO, Dwight Group).
The administrative duties of the centre are currently handled by an executive committee that includes executives and members of the SAB. 

Vision

The vision of the SSFPR is to generate a world class body of public policy research focused on the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and the United Arab Emirates

Mis?sion

The mission of the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research (SSFPR) is to:
Develop and foster research collaboration between the Government of Ras Al Khaimah and the international and local research community in order to aid the economic and social development of Ras Al Khaimah and the United Arab Emirates.

Functions of the SSFPR:

• Promote and commission research on topics of relevance and interest to the Government of Ras Al Khaimah and the UAE
• Disseminate the findings of the research in order to improve economic and social development of RAK and the UAE
• Advise the Government of Ras Al Khaimah on ways to turn the research into action
• Develop strong relationships with educational institutions both within the UAE and from across the world

Contribute to improving the quality of education at all levels within the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah 

Sharjah Academy for Scientific Research promotes innovative cluster of bridge maintenance and repair technologies

The Sharjah Academy for Scientific Research was established in 2008 under the umbrella of the Ruler's Office as an initiative and innovation of His Highness Dr Sultan Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who believes in the massive resources the universities possesses. In his own words: "We must move academic staff research outcomes from the shelves to the industry to be utilized and benefit all parties working towards sustainable development and community service." The aim of the Sharjah Academy is, in cooperation with other Educational Institutes, to fulfill and accomplish this directive and the ambitions of academia.

The Sharjah Academy for Scientific Research (SASR) - part of the Government of Sharjah and a respected academic institution with expertise in various aspects of engineering - and Uruk Engineering and Contracting Company have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding for SASR to provide various services to Uruk.

The MOU - which seeks to provide a framework and working mechanism for advisory services, to define the working relationship and outline the parties' intents, and identify best practices for agreed services - stems from a growing recognition on the part of the UAE's leadership of the need to increase cooperation and coordination between the academic and private sectors.

Dr. Mufeed Samarai, Director of SASR, believes that the Academy is perfectly positioned to improve collaboration. Says he, "The Sharjah Academy for Scientific Research was established in 2008 as an initiative of His Highness Dr Sultan Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who has great faith in the massive resources and innovation of the Academic Institutes in UAE in general and the University of Sharjah in particular.

"The Academy has grown in a short time to become one of the most respected Scientific Centers in the region, and we recognize that, despite significant improvement in cooperation between the academic and private sectors, further development is always possible".

Dr. Jafar Dhia Jafar, Managing Director of Uruk Engineering and Contracting Company LLC, shares this ambition. "We are primarily stationed in UAE and Iraq, offering turnkey solutions in all areas of engineering and construction, employing the best local expertise while seamlessly integrating state-of-the-art technology, resources and best practices through our international partners.

"Through this relationship with the Sharjah Academy, we will be able to supplement what we can offer, tap into the Academy's rich resources and expertise in the fields of soil testing, supervision and evaluation, knowledge of the latest international codes and standards, and their assistance in negotiations with other parties", says Dr. Jafar.  "We are extremely happy to have entered into what we have no doubt will be a mutually productive and worthwhile relationship". This agreement would not have been possible without the support of His Highness Dr Sultan Al Qassimi, and his Special Advisor for Higher Education, Dr. Amr Abdulhamid.  Says Dr. Abdulhamid, "Much of the efforts we have taken to improve cooperation between the private and public sectors focuses on improving communication between academia, companies and state institutes at all levels of government. It is only along this path that we can enhance added value to projects and industries, serve the community, and continue to make the GCC region one of the world's top scientific centers of excellence."

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation has been launched with an endowment of US $10 billion, as a personal initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The launch of the Foundation was one of the key highlights of the speech given by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, during the World Economic Forum on the Middle East 2007, which took place at the Dead Sea, Jordan.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation aims to develop the knowledge and human capabilities of the Arab World to introduce a future generation of regional leaders.

 Facts from the region

The region is facing a number of geo-political and economic challenges. Some countries are experiencing moderate growth rates with annual per capita GDP growth of 1.5%, against the developed world economies of 2.5%.                                          

The region is among the fastest growing in the world, distinguished by a genuine drive to build a brighter future by transforming challenges into opportunities, and encouraging stronger partnerships between governments, the private sector and civil society.

Establishing the Foundation

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, announced the establishment of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation with a personal endowment of AED 37 billion (US $10 billion) at the keynote speech at the World Economic Forum for the Middle East, held at the Dead Sea, Jordan, in May 2007. The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation has been tasked with empowering future generations to devise sustainable home-grown solutions to challenges faced by the Arab World. The Foundation will do this by spreading knowledge throughout the region, thereby fostering ideas and innovation.  On October 28th, 2007, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum attended the opening of The Knowledge Conference in Dubai, where he announced the actual launch of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation.  

Our Mission

Provide Arabs with opportunities to guide the region towards a knowledge economy through promoting entrepreneurship, research and innovation, enhancing access to quality education and professional development; and supporting the production, acquisition and dissemination of Arab knowledge sources.

 Objectives of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation

• Promote entrepreneurship by supporting innovation and research
• Enhance employability by providing access to quality education and professional development programmes
• Support the production, acquisition and dissemination of Arabic knowledge sources

Our Corporate Values

Our values

We take pride to have the following corporate values:

?         Passion:  We continuously demonstrate passion towards our own role and the Foundation by seeking and sharing knowledge and learning with others and continuously deliver great performance.

?         Honesty & integrity: We behave in an honest, fair and ethical manner, reliably keeping promises, telling the truth and following through on commitments. We demonstrate principled leadership and sound business ethics, show consistency in words and actions and model high standards of business ethics. 

?         Respect:  We show respect for individuals within and outside our own team. We are always courteous and kind to others. We respect other people’s opinions even when differing from our own.

?         Team work:  Our personnel work in collaboration and cooperation with others within or outside our own team in order to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the team and Foundation.

?         Transparency:  We value all the behaviors that facilitate an open exchange of ideas and foster an atmosphere of open communication.

Strategic Pillars

To achieve its broad mission, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation focuses its work in the following three areas:
     I-   Knowledge Production;      II-  Entrepreneurship;      III- Human Capital Development

I- Knowledge Production

This Sector of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation aims at developing future leaders and creating a knowledge-based society by recognising, promoting and reinstating the role of culture, heritage and cross-cultural understanding in the region.

In this respect, the Foundation is committed to:

• Expanding access to and participation in culture
• Promoting respect for culture and stimulating creativity and imagination
• Fostering intercultural dialogue to promote mutual understanding of regional culture and history

What is the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation?

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation is an initiative spearheaded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai who has committed a personal endowment of AED 37 billion ($10 billion) toward the development of a knowledge-based society in the region.

What are the reasons behind setting up the Foundation?

The region is among the fastest growing in the world, distinguished by a genuine drive to build a brighter future by transforming challenges into opportunities and encouraging stronger partnerships between governments, private sector and civil society.
The region is facing a number of geo-political, economic challenges. Some countries are experiencing moderate growth rates with per capita GDP growth of 1.5% against the developed world economies’ 2.5%.
Reports on the Arab region's development demonstrate that no tangible progress could be achieved without the necessary knowledge base. Reports indicate that the region lacks the qualified human capital, necessary to achieve the development goals.
For example, the Arab world lags behind the developed world in the level of investment it commits to research and development, spending only 0.2% of its GNP against the developed world’s rate of between 2.5% and 5%. Illiteracy rates range from 20-40%, of whom 18% are under 15 years of age and 43% are women. This situation points to a crucial need for the region to address a growing skills gap and stimulate levels of research and development.
Books published in the Arab world represent 1% of the world’s output. This is a critical situation for a region with such a wealth of cultural history and rich heritage in literature and education.
According to the International Labour Organisation, unemployment across the region (14%) is the highest in the world – with the lowest rate of labour force participation (53.9%), for a region where 60% of its population is under 25.
The region’s growth rate is insufficient to generate enough jobs for all the young people entering the labour force – 80 million jobs are needed over the next 10 years.

What is the Foundation’s vision?

“Our region’s success depends on creating an environment conducive to knowledge and on providing tomorrow’s leaders with the motivation to build a better future. It is our duty to make them great assets to themselves, their nation and to the world.”
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

What is the Foundation’s mission?

Provide Arabs with opportunities to guide the region towards a knowledge economy through promoting entrepreneurship, research and innnovation, enhancing access to quality education and professional development; and supporting the production, acquisition and dissemination of Arab knowledge sources.

What are the Foundation’s key objectives?

The Foundation will design and deliver specific programmes aiming to:

• Promote entrepreneurship by supporting innovation and research
• Enhance employability by providing access to quality education and professional development programmes
• Support the production, acquisition and dissemination of Arabic knowledge sources

  How much is the total endowment of the Foundation? And how will it be managed?

The endowment is 10 billion USD in total, and it will be fully managed by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation in accordance with international best practices in Foundation management.

Who does the Foundation serve?

The Foundation will mainly serve youth, scholars, authors, social entrepreneurs, civil society organizations in the region.

When did the Foundation’s programmes start being implemented?

The Foundation’s programmes commenced by the end of 2007.

On what basis will the Foundation provide financial support to the different initiatives?

In the first stage of the Foundation’s existence, it will be the main driver of all programmes and initiatives. However the Foundation is happy to receive project proposals that are in line with its mission and strategic objectives. All proposals will be reviewed by a team of experts who will assess their relevance to the Foundation’s scope of work. 

Would the Foundation’s initiatives include all countries of the Arab World?

The Foundation will work for human development across the whole region that includes the Arab World and neighbouring countries that have a friendly relationship with the UAE. The Foundation is based in Dubai, UAE.

 Does the Foundation offer training courses for university students?

The Foundation currently offers one translation training programme for holders of a Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent who have a minimum of two years’ experience in translation.

The Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research, founded in 1994 in Abu Dhabi, is an independent research institution dedicated to professional research and educational excellence in the UAE and the Gulf area. ECSSR serves as a focal point for scholarship on political, economic, and social issues pertinent to the UAE, the Gulf, and the Middle East regions through the sponsorship of empirical research and scientific studies conducted by scholars from around the globe. This site carries brief descriptions of ECSSR's publications and research activities. It also offers general information about the United Arab Emirates.

The mission of the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research is threefold:

• To conduct studies and research on topics relevant to the national security and economic and social well-being of the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region.
• To facilitate the scholarly exchange of ideas and provide community services through the convening of symposia and conferences on topics related to the research agenda of the Center.
• To actively assist and promote the professional development of UAE nationals through training program.

In a rapidly changing world, with new horizons and challenges expanding the scope of human activity at every turn, the wise leadership of the United Arab Emirates envisioned the creation of an advanced and independent research institution that would not only keep abreast with new developments at the political, economic and social spheres of human endeavor, but would also formulate the most suitable responses and strategies for keeping the UAE society ahead in the race of modernity. It was with this vision that the UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, established the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR), a premier institution of its kind in the Middle East, which has ever since set new benchmarks of excellence and expertise in the field of strategic studies and research.

At the heart of the Center's mission is its adoption of a strategic and rational approach in addressing today's and tomorrow's pivotal and pressing issues. It also places a premium on rigorous discipline in the triumph of academic and scientific enterprise. In addition, the ECSSR's core research group involves a cadre of well-educated nationals that derive a qualitative benefit from a specially designed program. The dedication and a sense of duty that characterize these young professionals is remarkable. In their development, they have cultivated a sense of initiative and courage that will undoubtedly light the path to an even greater future.

Propelled by the UAE's wise leadership in an effort to consolidate pillars of a modern state based on institutions that keep abreast with scientific and research developments, the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) was established on  March 14, 1994. The Center was established through a decision taken by the UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who was at that time Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Under the directions of the ECSSR President, His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the  ECSSR became an independent center for scientific research and studies on social, economic and political issues of interest primarily to the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region, as well as to the Arab world.

In June 2005, the ECSSR moved to its new building, whose design and facilities are meant to meet the needs of the Center and to promote its pioneering role in academia, research, and UAE societal demands. Since its inception, the Center has attracted attention as a committed and growth-oriented academic institution. This attractive venue has played host to a multitude of eminent dignitaries visiting the UAE, such as political leaders, thinkers, administrative officials, scholars, professors and researchers.

Propelled by the UAE's wise leadership in an effort to consolidate pillars of a modern state based on institutions that keep abreast with scientific and research developments, the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) was established on  March 14, 1994. The Center was established through a decision taken by the UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who was at that time Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Under the directions of the ECSSR President, His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the  ECSSR became an independent center for scientific research and studies on social, economic and political issues of interest primarily to the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region, as well as to the Arab world.

In June 2005, the ECSSR moved to its new building, whose design and facilities are meant to meet the needs of the Center and to promote its pioneering role in academia, research, and UAE societal demands. Since its inception, the Center has attracted attention as a committed and growth-oriented academic institution. This attractive venue has played host to a multitude of eminent dignitaries visiting the UAE, such as political leaders, thinkers, administrative officials, scholars, professors and researchers.

 Objectives

To conduct studies and research on topics relevant to the national security and economic and social well-being of the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region and on other relevant international concerns

To provide community services through scientific activities and the convening of symposia, lectures and conferences on topics related to the research agenda of the Center. It also actively assists and promotes the professional development of UAE nationals through training programs

 The Center also extends support to the government's decision-making process by preparing reports on best policy scenario mix and providing research inputs to decision-makers

Studies and Research

The main task of the Center'‎s researchers is preparation of political, economic, social, informational, military, and strategic studies research. To this end, all the Center‎s resources and equipment are made available to researchers. Producing profound analytical studies distinguishes research activity at ECSSR, which strives to extend the scope of its activities to include cooperation with other research and studies centers.

The Center seeks, through its research activities, to achieve the following:

1. Collecting information and data and placing them at the disposal of researchers and decision makers.
2. Studying, through methodological means, contemporary issues and determining their implications for the United Arab Emirates, the Arab Gulf region, and the Middle East.
3. Studying international economic issues that affect the UAE and the Arab Gulf Region, namely: oil, international trade, economic blocs, domestic issues related to economic policies, labor market organization, population structure, and development of national human resources and increasing their contribution to the labor market.
4. Monitoring and studying the latest political, economic, social, informational, and military issues and developments which might have implications on the local, regional, and international levels for the policies and interests of the UAE and the increasingly strategic Arab Gulf region. This step is followed by drawing the necessary conclusions, making scientific projections, and determining future implications. Such work is in addition to making a list including issues of interest to the UAE on the local, regional, and international levels, arranging them in order of priority, and then forming teams of researchers to investigate them and draw the relevant conclusions.
5. Conducting futuristic studies based on factual data in order to choose the best policy alternatives in dealing with the events before their occurrence and avoid taking decisions under the pressure of events.
6. Preparing memoranda and studies which serve as digests or précis for competent bodies such as governmental departments and institutions, research centers, and universities.

Community Services

The goals and activities related to this field may be summarized as follows:

1. Enhancing social and cultural awareness through publishing books and studies and issuing academic journals, while concurrently enriching Arab libraries with outstanding academic books, periodicals and refereed monographs in various political, economic, social and strategic fields.
2. Encouraging and developing research, authorship and translation - primarily of studies dealing with various topics of concern to the United Arab Emirates, the Arab Gulf and the Arab world in general.
3. Holding conferences,  symposia,  workshops and lectures on strategic issues that affect the UAE community. These meetings have three objectives: strengthening cooperative links with other academic institutions, promoting exchanges between lecturers and specialists, and participating in conferences organized in the UAE and beyond.

Training Researchers

The United Arab Emirates takes an interest in developing its human resources through educating and training its citizens. In implementation of this policy, ECSSR plays a significant role in preparing advanced training programs aimed at refining the skills of national researchers. 
 
ECSSR Training Goals

1. Encouraging nationals, through fellowships and grants, awards, and research support, to conduct research on issues relating to the UAE.
2. Organizing training sessions to boost performance in specific fields for government employees.
3. Offering sessions for training ECSSR researchers to improve their skills

The Power and Water Desalination Research Center is an independent entity within ADWEA.  Providing unbiased scientific and technical opinion, the Center has a total of four functional groups, including three research departments for Eco-Hydraulics, Materials Testing, and Water and Energy and Technical Support.  Conducting state-of-the-art research, evaluating new technologies, and solving technical problems facing the desalination and power sector and the environment the Center is able to provide sound scientific and engineering advice support to the ADWEA Chairman.  This has resulted in reduced operational costs, increased reliability of plants production and distribution systems, and innovative ways for power generation and water desalination.

The center's research results in innovative ways to purify water and produce electricity.  This has secured an efficient economic, and guaranteed supply of vital resources which are fundamental for the development of the U.A.E.

Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (Dubai)

The Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) is a strategic initiative of Dubai’s government aiming at inspiring scientific innovation and fostering technological advancement within UAE and the region.
It has in its purview a key role in promoting effective means of using highly sophisticated technologies and accurate spatial information for a variety of applications that enhance sustainable development and support the fast economical and industrial growth in Dubai and UAE.

Established by the Dubai Government in 2006, EIAST is a strategic initiative that aims to inspire scientific innovation and foster technological advancement within the UAE and the region by carrying out path-breaking research and scientific applications. It is in sync with the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, and will go a long way in promoting sustainable development and economic growth in the UAE. The institute is already well on its way to become a world-class science and technology organization, and can take credit for building the indigenous satellite Dubai Sat 1, which will be space-bound by the end of this year.

Ahmed Obaid Al Mansoori is the Director General of the Emirates Institute for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST).

The Sharjah University Laser Training and Research Center (SULTARC) is devoted to clinical education, research and the development of standards and guidelines for the safe and effective use of laser technology applicable to the Middle East region.

Our primary goal is to deliver meaningful educational programs encompassing pertinent basic and clinical sciences related to the safe and effective applications of laser in different disciplines of surgery, dentistry and aesthetics. This is achieved by providing the highest quality of education through a series of comprehensive lectures, hands-on training and one-on-one practical workshops.

SULTARC recognizes the fundamental importance of maintaining credible, non-biased, factual instruction. All courses are meticulously prepared and are taught only by qualified laser specialists, clinicians and
internationally acclaimed visiting experts. These practitioners are experienced in the use of multiple high-tech systems and are specifically authorized by the Laser and Health Academy and the University of Sharjah to instruct in the different areas of laser applications.

Offering CME Credit programs for the Arabian Gulf Region, the Institute is the only academic organization committed exclusively to education in the field of surgical, dental and aesthetic lasers.
SULTARC is the outcome of the academic joint venture between the University of Sharjah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sharjah, UAE and The Laser and Health Academy, Fotona d.d., Ljubljana, Slovenia. It is sponsored by the academic division of Light Care International Ltd in UAE.
SULTARC is located in Sharjah University Clinical Training Centre (CTC).

Clinical Training CentreClinical Training Centre (CTC) is established as a partnership venture between University of Sharjah and the Ministry of Health to create and implement strategic training programs. The facility is designed to suit a wide range of clinical training courses for all health professionals. The CTC includes 12 multipurpose consulting and training rooms, well equipped conference room and two high quality simulation hospital wards for bedside teaching and training, using highest standard equipments, AV and video facility.
CTC is located in the Medical and Health Sciences Campus with well-groomed University of Sharjah Campus.

The first and foremost comprehensive National University in the United Arab Emirates.

The UAEU was established in 1976  according to the vision of  Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahayan (May His Soul Rest In Peace).