Partnership will see Al Jalila Foundation establish the Amity University Research Centre

UAE, Dubai, 29 June 2013: In a strong show of commitment to Al Jalila Foundation's vision of transforming lives through healthcare improvements, the not-for-profit organisation has received a AED10 million contribution from Amity University Dubai. Al Jalila Foundation will name one of its research centres after Amity, and the partnership will significantly advance the Foundation's efforts to position the UAE at the forefront of medical innovation.

Alongside medical treatment and education, medical research is one of Al Jalila Foundation's three pillars through which it pursues the mandate set out by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The Foundation's research efforts will be strengthened by Amity's scientific track record, in which the institution has published over 5,000 studies.

Amity University Dubai  is part of the non profit Amity group of international institutions, with a combined student body of over one hundred thousand  in India, the US, UK, Mauritius, Romania, China and Singapore, among others.

Her Excellency Raja Easa Al Gurg, member of the Board of Trustees and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Al Jalila Foundation, said: "We are immensely grateful to Amity University for this generous contribution, as it will help to ensure parity between the scope of research in the UAE and those of the global leaders in the scientific field. By taking a microscopic view of health challenges that have a high prevalence in our country, scientists will gain a clearer view of possible solutions while our society will also gain a higher level of health literacy." 

Atul Chauhan, Chancellor of Amity University explained the motivation behind his organisation's donation: "Having published over 500 books on various scientific topics, Amity believes in the power of knowledge to drive innovation. We have been tremendously inspired by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who has championed the need to make the UAE a more innovation-centric nation. We look forward to working with Al Jalila Foundation to turn theoretical solutions into tangible realities." 

Commenting on how the contribution will be invested, Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, said: "Such generous grants are the building blocks that create a strong culture of research in the UAE. Only in an environment of a tireless pursuit of answers can our researchers thrive, and their breakthroughs will enable people to reclaim their health, regain their hopes and resume their enhanced lives. We are deeply grateful to Amity for supporting our vision, and with the collective support of UAE society we can put our country at the forefront of medical innovation worldwide."

In order to invest in the nation's medical treatment, education and research, Al Jalila Foundation is inviting all members of society to contribute to its fundraising drive. Prospective donors and partners can contact the Foundation on info@aljalilafoundation or 800-ALJALILA.

Al Jalila Foundation

Al Jalila Foundation was officially launched as a not-for-profit organisation by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on 1 April 2013. The foundation is a local initiative with global aspirations that aims to make lasting and significant contributions in healthcare to transform lives.

Al Jalila Foundation's mandate is to promote medical treatment, education and research by investing in the UAE's medical treatment capabilities; providing scholarships to nurture a homegrown generation of medical professionals; and awarding grants for groundbreaking research that addresses health challenges prevalent in the region. In line with its vision to be a global healthcare foundation, Al Jalila Foundation collaborates with other philanthropic organisations locally and internationally to achieve regional and global benefits.  

About Amity Education Group:
Amity is non-profit, one of India's largest education groups with 100,000 students across its universities, schools and pre-schools. The group has 5 universities in India, 9 international campuses in USA, Europe and Asia. The group is research driven and has world class infrastructure comprising of  44 million sq. ft. of campuses and 5 million sq. ft. of buildings. Amity has filed 400 patents and published numerous case studies. Students who graduate are placed on campus and recent placement numbers exceed 42,000.

© Press Release 2013