Mohammed Al Gergawi Appointed Chairman of Mohammed bin Rashid Foundation

Dubai: 27 May, 2007 - His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has appointed H.E. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, as chairman of the board of the recently announced US$10 billion Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation.

The appointment marks the beginning of the implementation phase of the foundation, aimed at reinforcing the region's position as a leading international centre for knowledge and human capital. Considered to be the largest of its kind in the Arab and Islamic world, the Foundation was announced by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed in his keynote address at the World Economic Forum recently in Jordan.

H.E. Mohammed Al Gergawi said: "It is an honour to be appointed to oversee this unique foundation which will play a pivotal role as a catalyst to human development in the Arab and Islamic world. The foundation will help promote innovation and creativity as well as build a new generation of knowledge leaders in the region.

“Preparations for the Foundation's various programmes will get underway immediately to ensure objectives are achieved within the timeframe specified. The Foundation will accelerate efforts aimed at bridging the knowledge gap which has been highlighted by international reports as a serious stumbling block to the region’s development endeavours."

Bridging the knowledge gap and enhancing human development are among the foundation's key objectives. It will work on building world-class knowledge and education platforms and will launch a series of knowledge advancement programmes. These measures will include internships in leading international universities and academic institutes. 

The Foundation will put in place the necessary infrastructure to facilitate and encourage knowledge creation and dissemination.
It will source and manage a wide range of initiatives including the establishment of high-quality research programmes. Some of the projects are expected to kick off by the end of 2007.