Dubai-22 Jan 2019: Mr. Abdullah Bin Souqat, Executive Director of the Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award, received a delegation yesterday from the United Arab Emirates University at the headquarters of the Award in Dubai. The delegation, consisting of Prof. Charles B Cairns, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Prof. Dr. Juma Al-Kaabi, Vice-Dean of the Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Dr. Rami Perm, Assistant Dean for Scientific Research and Graduate Studies, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Dr. Mahmoud Mohammed Mahmoud, Executive Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, discussed ways to enhance cooperation with the Award.

During the meeting, His Excellency Abdullah Bin Souqat briefed the delegates on the various activities of the Award and reviewed the achievements of the Award over the past 20 years. New and innovative ideas were also put forward to enrich scientific research aimed at meeting the needs of society, and the possibility of developing intensive training programs to promote scientific research in the whole UAE was discussed.

Prof. Charles Cairns, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University, praised the pioneering role of the Award in honoring scientists, as well as the achievements of the Award and the diversity of its activities, which contributed effectively to the advancement of the medical sector and scientific research. He pointed out that cooperation between the Award and the UAE University would have a strong impact in the field of scientific research in the country.

Abdullah Bin Souqat, Executive Director of the Award, said, "There is a strong relationship between the UAE University and the Award since its establishment in 1999, as it is considered the largest partner of the Award in support of scientific research and is the largest producer of scientific research in the medical sector in the country, especially after it is placed among the top ten research universities in the Islamic world by the SESRTCIC, OIC Research Center.”

He added, “All the activities of the Award are derived from the vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Chairman of Dubai Health Authority, which is always keen to achieve sustainability by promoting a culture of excellence and innovation in the dissemination of the culture of scientific research. This can be achieved only with full coordination at the local and global level to achieve integration between research centers.”