Universities asked to join 'Dubai Cares'

Addressing university heads and educationists at a meeting in the World Trade Centre, he said: "In depriving children of the chance to develop themselves through education, we are depriving the world of countless opportunities to better itself through their contributions."

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, believes the cost of wasted lives is too big a price to pay, he said.

This is why Shaikh Mohammed launched Dubai Cares, an initiative that places education in the forefront of efforts to change the lives of those less fortunate.

Shaikh Ahmed urged the universities and educationists to join him in the initiative.

"If any institution has an obligation to this campaign and to the children it serves, it is the institutions of education and of higher education. Universities pride themselves as centres of knowledge and platforms where visions and ideas that influence actions and change the world take shape," he said.

"Dubai Cares would be proud to count universities among its supporters to help us turn into action our vision for a better world, by changing the state of these children for the better," added Shaikh Ahmed.

"Certainly knowledge and education are powerful tools for change. We have to make sure these tools are available to those millions of children who have no access to them and who are, as a result, consigned to lives without hope or any prospect of change," he said.

At the end of the event, Elias Bou Saab, Executive Vice-President of the American University in Dubai, pledged to donate Dh2 million for the campaign by organising fund-raising events by its student body, faculty and other staff members.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announced its support for the campaign and is assuming the role of leading fund-raisers in schools throughout Dubai.

Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director-General of the authority, said: "KHDA in Dubai announces its full support to the campaign and invites everyone to participate in it. We believe this will instil the value of philanthropic giving in the hearts of college students, staff members and academic agencies."

Wam adds: His Highness Shaikh Mohammed will sponsor the first women's event in the series of main events being organised by the 'Dubai Cares' that will run throughout the holy month of Ramadan. The event will be held tomorrow at the Maktoum Ballroom of the World Trade Centre.

The six-week campaign was launched on September 19 by Shaikh Mohammed.

The hostess of the exclusive event is Shaikha Manal bint Mohammed, President of the Dubai Women Establishment, who will address an audience of Emirati and expatriate women and encourage them to support the educational initiative to help provide children, especially girls, access to education in the most impoverished countries.