Al Jalila Foundation, a global philanthropic organisation dedicated to transforming lives through medical education and research, today announced the launch of ‘Together Against Osteoporosis’. This is the first osteoporosis research study of its kind in the United Arab Emirates and will be conducted by Dubai Bone & Joint Center (DBAJ). Gargash Enterprises, the general distributor of Mercedes-Benz vehicles in Dubai, Sharjah, and the Northern Emirates, has donated two fully equipped Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans to facilitate the pioneering research in line with their corporate social responsibility giving initiative.

The ‘Together Against Osteoporosis’ medical research study investigates the prevalence of osteoporosis and vitamin D deficiency in the UAE, as well as the correlation of vitamin D, diabetes mellitus and other risk factors with bone mineral density. Osteoporosis is preventable and treatable, however, many people are not diagnosed in time to receive effective therapy during the early phase of the disease. The goal of this study is to raise awareness about this silent disease, preventative measures and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. The study will be conducted during a 24 month period and aims to asses a total of 2,500 participants. The data collected will be published to provide healthcare professionals with accurate epidemiological information about osteoporosis in the UAE.

Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, Chief Executive Officer, Al Jalila Foundation said: “Vitamin D deficiency has become a global health concern. Studies have shown that insufficient levels of Vitamin D can lead to a number of chronic illnesses and life-threatening diseases. As the ‘Year of Giving’ kicks off we are grateful to Gargash Enterprises for their support and look forward to working together on this important study to advance medical research, improve patients’ lives and contribute to a healthier and happier nation.”

Shehab Gargash, Board Member of Gargash Enterprises supported: “With more than a 70% prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency among the UAE population, we see it as our privilege, as well as our duty, to be part of this noble cause, and we are proud to stand side by side with the Al Jalila Foundation and Dubai Bone & Joint Center to accomplish it. The journey ahead of us to raise awareness is a long one, but with the Mercedes-Benz mobile clinic Sprinter vehicles that Gargash Enterprises has contributed, we have the confidence that the research team will be readily equipped for the challenges they may face and we look forward to raising awareness about Osteoporosis and Vitamin D deficiency and thus helping people learn about treatment and prevention.”

The two fully equipped mobile clinic vehicles that Gargash Enterprises has donated, will facilitate the country-wide medical assessments of adults across the United Arab Emirates. These mobile clinics will drive the research programme and allow Dubai Bone & Joint Center to screen thousands to promote early detection and prevention of the debilitating disease.

Michael Stroud, CEO of DBAJ, said: ‘’Dubai Bone & Joint Center are extremely grateful to Al Jalila Foundation and Gargash Enterprises for sponsoring this very important research and we are delighted that DBAJ can make a positive contribution to the future healthcare of the UAE’’.

Al Jalila Foundation, a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, continues to invest in innovative healthcare programmes to position Dubai at the forefront of medical innovation. 100% of donations are invested in medical treatment, education and research to improve lives in the UAE and the region.

Al Jalila Foundation Research Centre, the UAE’s first independent and non-for-profit research centre, announced today that it has awarded AED 5 million in seed grants to 20 UAE-based medical researchers bringing the total investment to date to AED 14 million for 55 research projects. The seed grants focus on research in the field of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and mental health, Al Jalila Foundation Research Centre’s five research priorities. The grants were awarded to scientists from medical institutions across the UAE including Dubai Health Authority, UAE University, University of Sharjah, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, and New York University of Abu Dhabi. Three Emirati graduates were also selected to pursue medical research fellowships at renowned international institutions.

Out of 78 applications submitted for the seed grants, 20 applicants were selected following a competitive two-stage review process including international peer review with experts from the world’s most renowned medical institutions, including University of Oxford, Imperial College, University of Glasgow, Harvard Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Toronto, and University of Queensland. The reviewers were handpicked as leading experts in their specific field of research, in line with the commitment from Al Jalila Foundation Research Centre to grow a biomedical research ecosystem in Dubai built on international best practice.

Her Excellency Dr Raja Al Gurg, Member of the Board of Trustees of Al Jalila Foundation and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Al Jalila Foundation Research Centre, commented: “Scientists around the world continue to search for answers into the causes, prevention and treatment of diseases affecting mankind. Our investment in medical research reaffirms our commitment to embed research and innovation in the fabric of the nation’s long-term healthcare strategy. Medical research has the potential to save lives and our efforts today will pave the way for a healthier world for future generations.”

Prof. Sehamuddin Galadari, Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Cell Biology and CEO of Al Jalila Foundation Research Centre, said: “We are very pleased to see an increase in the quality of applications and types of research which entails basic, translational, and clinical research. Mental health and cancer remain high as research topics among our research and scientific community. The successful recipients have been chosen following an independent and a very rigorous competitive selection process featuring international peer review. It is our mission, as we progress with the development of the Al Jalila Foundation Research Centre, to bring local and international scientists together to conduct research in the UAE. Our ultimate goal is to elevate the quality and the quantity of research being conducted in the UAE. This is very important in building a knowledge based economy, and transforming the healthcare system to be more research oriented, and hence, improving people’s lives with better treatments. We are very grateful to the Al Jalila Foundation for funding Al Jalila Foundation Research Centre and enabling this vision to come true.”

Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, added: “Advances in medical research are critical to the nation’s prosperity and this continues to drive our efforts to attract financial support from professionals, philanthropists and corporates in the UAE. Our mission is to inspire medical advancements that will benefit future generations and support our vision to be at the forefront of global medical innovation. Today’s investments in medical research will go a long way to ensuring better treatment options for future generations.”

The Al Jalila Foundation Research Centre was established in 2014 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to position the UAE at the forefront of medical research and innovation. The centre is fully funded by Al Jalila Foundation, a global philanthropic organisation dedicated to transforming lives through medical treatment, education and research.

Summary of research projects and fellowships funded by Al Jalila Foundation:

Dr Mazin Magzoub, from the New York University of Abu Dhabi, aims to identify physiologically relevant neurotoxic amyloid-beta species in Alzheimer’s disease and to improve our understanding of their stoichiometry, composition, supramolecular organization and mechanism of action. (Mental Health)

Professor Iain Blair, from the United Arab Emirates University, is conducting a cohort study on mental and social factors that are associated with successful aging in the Emirati population. (Mental Health)

Dr Ali Trablosi, from the New York University of Abu Dhabi, is evaluating the anti-carcinogenic activity of new metal-organic complexes. This new class of muti-metal-centered organometallic non-trivial structures could serve as efficient and effective chemotherapeutic agent. (Cancer)

Dr Wegdan Bani issa, from the University of Sharjah, is studying the relationship between stress levels and sleep quality, physical activity and dietary habits among women living in the UAE. (Mental Health)

Professor Salah Gariballa, from the United Arab Emirates University, is addressing the feasibility of increasing fruits, vegetables and whole-grain fiber consumption in subjects with visceral obesity and whether when combined with low energy intake it could mitigate cardio metabolic risk factors associated with visceral obesity. (Obesity)

Dr Hany Omar, from the University of Sharjah, studies SU-CG5, a promising Energy Restriction Mimetic Agent (ERMA), and other ERMAs in targeting cancer multidrug resistance. These compounds could be a safer and effective alternative to antitumor agents. (Cancer)

Professor Sehamuddin Galadari, from the Al Jalila Foundation Research Center, follows a multi-disciplinary approach to explore and exploit the novel role of the Prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4), a tumor-suppressor protein, which can selectively destroy a wide variety of cancer cells via induction of apoptosis, leaving normal cells unaffected. (Cancer)

Dr Yong‐Ak (Rafael) Song, from the New York University of Abu Dhabi, investigates the relationship between the loss of muscle strength and diabetes using C. elegans. As people age and especially if diabetic, their muscle strength and mass decrease. It could be possible to quantify the efficacy of anti‐diabetic drugs on the loss of muscle strength using C. elegans in a high‐throughput manner. (Diabetes)

Dr Dipesh Chaudhury, from the New York University of Abu Dhabi, studies the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which sleep deprivation (SD) rapidly alleviates the depressive phenotype. (Mental Health)

Drs Abdulshakur Abdulle and Yvonne Valles, from the New York University of Abu Dhabi, explore gut microbial community dynamics in infants born from normal-weight healthy mothers, and obese but otherwise healthy mothers. (Obesity)

Dr Hasan Mir, from the American University of Sharjah, investigates the use EEG as cost‐effective, efficient, and convenient method for localizing the brain position where seizures originate. (Mental Health)

Professor Mawieh Hamad, from the University of Sharjah, evaluates the anti-carcinogenic potential of biologically-driven intracellular iron depletion. (Cancer)

Dr Raafat Abdel Gawad El-Gharib El-Awady, from the University of Sharjah, investigates the molecular mechanisms of newly developed 5-aminosalicylate-4-thiazolinone hybrid molecules. These molecules have shown promising anticancer activity comparable to the anticancer drug doxorubicin with minimal impact on normal cells. (Cancer)

Dr Anas Al Azzam, from the Khalifa University of Science and Technology, is working on a microfluidic system that can characterize circulating tumor cells based on the measurement of their electrical resistance, capacitance and response to radio frequency signals. (Cancer)

Dr Dymitr Ruta, from the Khalifa University of Science and Technology, uses Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies to discover, detect and record detailed patterns of daily human activity to evaluate their role in health behaviours. (Cardiovascular, Diabetes & Obesity)

Drs Youssef Idaghdour and Louis Ashall, from the New York University of Abu Dhabi, are looking for the genes that are activated/deactivated by advanced glycation endproducts (AGE) in diabetes. (Cardiovascular, Diabetes & Obesity)

Dr Maria Baias, from the New York University of Abu Dhabi, is studying the structure of a new polymorph of aspirin using nuclear magnetic resonance crystallography. A small change in aspirin’s structure could improve its pharmaceutical properties and increase its efficacy in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. (Cardiovascular)

Mr Nezar Ahmed Salim, from the Dubai Hospital, investigates the knowledge and attitude of oncology nurses towards pain management. (Cancer)

Dr. Naoufel Weghi, from the Khalifa University of Science and Technology, is investigating an efficient non-invasive computer aided diagnosis system for early prostate cancer detection using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images. Early and accurate detection of prostate cancer would allow clinicians to initiate treatment at earlier stages, and thus potentially decrease the mortality rate of the prostate cancer. (Cancer)

Dr Samrein Ahmed, from the University of Sharjah, is addressing whether melanoma cells induce the expression of signalling adaptor protein ShcD upon prolonged oxidative stress. Understanding the mechanism of ShcD induced anti-apoptotic signal and migration upon cellular stresses will provide further insights on how to interrupt ShcD-induced survival signal, which eventually leads to the demise of melanoma cells. (Cancer)

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, the fifth edition of the 7EmiratesRun, in partnership with Al Jalila Foundation, commenced today in Hatta.

The 490 kilometre, 7-day charity run is being held in honour of the 45th UAE National Day and will conclude in Abu Dhabi on 30 November 2016 on the occasion of Commemoration Day. The event aims to raise funds to ‘get children back on their feet’. All funds raised will be used to pay for life-changing surgery and post-operative medical support for children born with limb deformities.

The cross-country run commenced at the Hatta Fort Hotel where students from a number of schools in Hatta joined the 7EmiratesRun full distance team. Among the participants were a number of employees representing the Title Sponsor RAKBANK and Platinum Sponsor Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA).

Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “Over the next 7 days runners will demonstrate their endurance by crossing the seven Emirates. We thank them for their commitment and dedication as they use this exceptional sporting endeavour to raise funds for a greater good. This is a wonderful example of how the community can come together to positively impact people’s lives. Last year, we were able to help a number of children walk again with prosthetic support. This year, we hope to be able to extend that support to many more children in the UAE. There is no greater joy than being able to give the gift of mobility.”

Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, commented on the event: “The UAE’s ambition is to enhance its health, happiness and well-being and sports is integral to this. Sports transcends all barriers and unites people. It’s wonderful to see the community, adults and children, come together to celebrate the UAE through sports.”

Wendelin Lauxen, Founder & Director of 7EmiratesRun and Managing Director of DHCC-based German Limbtech, said: “The 7EmiratesRun team is back for the fifth year with a new course starting in Hatta and finishing in Abu Dhabi. The course has been designed to give runners a chance to explore the beauty of the UAE on foot through its varied landscape. We are excited to welcome the community to run a few kilometres – or the full distance – with us as we make our way through the United Arab Emirates. We run for the pure joy of running, to promote a healthy lifestyle and to raise awareness for children in need.”

Peter England, CEO of RAKBANK, said: “We are pleased to be sponsoring the 7EmiratesRun, for the second consecutive year, which is in line with the Bank’s commitments to supporting people with special needs and encouraging sports events especially for charitable causes. We look forward to working alongside Al Jalila Foundation in their endeavour to improve the lives of children in the UAE.”

David Thomson, Chief Operating Officer of JA Resort & Hotels, said: “JA Hatta Fort Hotel is delighted to be the starting point of this year’s 7EmiratesRun. Located in the idyllic Hajar mountains just over an hour’s drive from central Dubai, Hatta is the perfect upcoming destination for outdoor fitness and sports activities and it is fitting that the team have chosen to set off from here. We value the passion and dedication of the organisers and have extended a JA heartfelt welcome to them during their preparation for the challenge ahead. We wish all the participants the very best and look forward to seeing them cross the finishing line on 30th November.”

This year, for the second time, runners with prosthetic limbs will join the 7EmiratesRun team for a few kilometres every day. Among the amputee runners are Nigerian national Abdulmuminu Yusuf, a double amputee, who lost his legs as a child and Brazilian national Luiz Pradines who lost his left leg below the knee in an accident when he was 11 years old. A relay team consisting of 7 novice runners from German Limbtech (GLT) will also participate in the 7EmiratesRun. The GLT corporate team see the run as an opportunity for team building and to support a great cause.

The 7EmiratesRun will be led by Wendelin Lauxen. The route goes from Hatta to Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman, Sharjah, Dubai and finally arriving in Abu Dhabi, with an average of 70 kilometres per day. Participants can join the full-distance runners every day for 10km or 70km.

The title sponsor is RAKBANK and the strategic partners are Hamdan Bin Mohammed Community Sports Initiative and Dubai Sports Council. Other major sponsors include Dubai Healthcare City, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), German Limbtech and Ottobock.

To support 7EmiratesRun please visit www.7emiratesrun.com and https://www.hopasports.com/7er

Al Jalila Foundation, a global philanthropic organisation dedicated to transforming lives through medical education and research, celebrated the graduation of 120 parents and 72 teachers from its flagship programme Ta’alouf (‘harmony’ in Arabic), which provides carers of children with special needs with life-changing skills to help them lead more productive and happier lives.

The ceremony was attended by Her Excellency Dr Raja Easa Al Gurg, Member of the Board of Trustees and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Al Jalila Foundation; Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, Chief Executive Officer of Al Jalila Foundation; His Excellency Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA); Professor Reyadh Al Mehaideb, Vice President of Zayed University; Professor Abdullah Al Shamsi, Vice Chancellor of The British University in Dubai (BUiD); and Mr Saoud Al Otaibi, Director of Al Ain Initial Service Center, Zayed Higher Organization.

Her Excellency Dr Raja Easa Al Gurg commented on the programme “Today’s event reinstates our commitment to fostering a unified and inclusive society where parents, educators, strategic partners and the wider community work together to empower children with disabilities. At the heart of Ta’alouf is social inclusion and we will continue to champion it in our classrooms, our playgrounds and our communities so that every child, no matter their ability, has the chance to be an active member of society.”

The milestone graduation ceremony marked the second cohort of teachers and principals, hailing from 9 private and government schools in Dubai, to have successfully completed the six-month training course. The teacher training programme was established in partnership with Zayed University and supported by the Ministry of Education and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority.

The ceremony also celebrated four cohorts of parents to complete the Ta’alouf parents training programme, bringing the total number of graduated parents to 420 since inception in October 2013. The six-week course has been taught in both English and Arabic to participants from 29 different nationalities across the UAE. So far Al Jalila Foundation has invested more than AED 5 million in its Ta’alouf programme, which has benefited a huge cross-section of the special needs community, including families living with Autism, Down Syndrome and other developmental delays. It was the first time that the course was delivered in Abu Dhabi – following the expansion to Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah in the past – to accommodate a larger number of parents in the UAE.

Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama said “At Al Jalila Foundation, we are committed to delivering the most effective educational programme for carers of children with special needs. The number of participants who we have been able to reach has exceeded our expectations since the programme started in 2013. Learning is not just confined to the classroom and we are proud to have had the opportunity to empower these parents and teachers by providing them with life-changing skills to ensure a continuum of care between the child’s home and school.”

Ms Samar Abouhosn from Dubai International School in Al Garhoud and Ms Mervat Abdullah, whose young son suffers from cerebral palsy, gave heartfelt testimonials of their experience. Both parent and teacher praised Al Jalila Foundation for giving them the opportunity to attend the Ta’alouf training course and explained how it had enriched their understanding of special needs and international best practices.

Al Jalila Foundation aims to deliver the programme to 800 parents and their children by 2018.

For more information on Ta’alouf please visit www.aljalilafoundation.ae.

Al Jalila Foundation, a global philanthropic organisation dedicated to transforming lives through medical education and research, today announced that the Easa Saleh Al Gurg (ESAG) Charity Foundation has donated AED 10 million to support children with heart disease. The grant is an extension of the Dubai-based charity’s contributions to a number of humanitarian projects around the world, including healthcare programmes.

A’awen (‘support’ in Arabic) is Al Jalila Foundation’s medical treatment programme which works directly with healthcare partners in the UAE to offer financial aid to patients without access to quality healthcare.  To date Al Jalila Foundation has invested more than AED 15 million to sponsor specialised medical treatment for hundreds of patients in the UAE, including children suffering from a range of life-threatening illnesses.

Dr Abdulkareem Al Olama, Chief Executive Officer of Al Jalila Foundation, said “ESAG Charity Foundation is a long-term supporter of Al Jalila Foundation and has been instrumental in helping us realise our vision to transform lives through medical advancements. As we continue to champion life-changing improvements that benefit future generations, we are delighted to partner with ESAG Charity Foundation again to bring hope and opportunity to children with heart disease in the region.”

ESAG Charity Foundation was setup in 2010 by prominent philanthropist and business man, His Excellency Easa Saleh Al Gurg, and was declared one of the best charitable institutions by the Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) for its significant aid to various causes both within the UAE, and around the world.

ESAG Charity Foundation was the first donor to pledge support to local medical research when Al Jalila Foundation was launched in 2013.

Mrs Maryam Easa Saleh Al Gurg, Vice Chairperson of ESAG Charity Foundation, confirmed that the foundation will continue its partnership with Al Jalila Foundation and will keep supporting its work in various medical fields, from medical research to treatment. “Our latest contribution has been in the treatment of children suffering from heart diseases whose family cannot afford to pay costly treatment expenses”, she stated noting that ESAG Charity Foundation focuses on providing medical treatment to disadvantaged families.

Al Jalila Foundation, a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, continues to invest in innovative healthcare programmes to position Dubai at the forefront of medical innovation. 100% of donations are invested in medical treatment, education and research to improve lives in the UAE and the region.

Al Jalila Foundation, a global philanthropic organisation dedicated to transforming lives through medical education and research, announced that for the fourth consecutive year the postgraduate medical scholarships program is open for application. AED 4 million has been allocated for the 2016/17 scholarships programme, which is open to all Emirati students who wish to pursue postgraduate studies in medical and health sciences in the United Arab Emirates.

Dr Abdulkareem Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, commented: “If we look at the global frontrunners in healthcare, what sets them apart are their investments in developing their human capital. We are pleased to once again extend financial support to aspiring Emirati healthcare professionals to help them specialise and further build the skills and credentials needed to contribute to the wellbeing of the nation. Not only will our scholarships help to develop capabilities, they will build capacity, continuity and sustainability in the UAE’s healthcare sector. Each stream of graduates will contribute to the country’s quality of healthcare – and, by extension, the quality of life.”

Since its inception Al Jalila Foundation has awarded 34 local scholarships for postgraduate medical studies including nursing, dentistry, public health, pharmacy, molecular biology and biotechnology, among others. Two of the first scholarship recipients funded by Al Jalila Foundation graduated in 2015 from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – Dubai and two are expected to graduate in August 2016: one from Hamdan Bin Mohammed College of Dental Medicine at the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, and one from RAK Medical Health Sciences University.

Al Jalila Foundation has also awarded two international scholarships which includes a partnership with Harvard Medical School. Emirati Dr Dalia Al Nuaimi a graduate from the UAE University commences the Master of Medical Sciences degree in Global Health Delivery at Harvard Medical School in July 2016. The two-year postgraduate training program focuses on the ‘last mile’ of health care delivery and the optimization of treatment outcomes. The program includes a HMS-based curriculum followed by a 9-month mentored research project in the UAE.

The application deadline for Al Jalila Foundation postgraduate medical scholarships in the UAE for the 2016/17 academic year is 31 July 2016. Interested applicants can find more information and application guidelines by visiting www.aljalilafoundation.ae.

Al Jalila Foundation, a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, has partnered with The Carter Center to develop and implement a United Arab Emirates (UAE) Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism (RCJF). This program will be the first mental health fellowship program for journalists in the Middle East.

The announcement of this mental health program was made on Tuesday at a signing ceremony at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Center at Dubai Healthcare City. The signing was attended by Her Excellency Dr Raja Easa Al Gurg, Member of the Board of Trustees and Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Al Jalila Foundation; Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation; Jason Carter, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, The Carter Center; Curtis Kohlhaas, Chief Development Officer, The Carter Center; and a number of leading healthcare and media representatives.

For nearly two decades, the Center has awarded one-year fellowships to 165 journalists to connect them with resources and experts to increase the quality and accuracy of mental health reporting around the world. The program is currently in the U.S. and Colombia and was previously in New Zealand, South Africa, and Romania. It is the first time that the program will be offered in the UAE and the Middle East.

Her Excellency Dr Raja Easa Al Gurg said: “Journalists have immense power to inform, educate and influence society. Their support is essential to raise awareness and create a dialogue about mental health in the region. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that people with mental illnesses are not marginalized and that they receive the required support to live happy productive lives.”

“Reporting by Rosalynn Carter fellows has contributed to more awareness and coverage of mental health issues and more balanced and accurate reporting in the participating countries,” said Jason Carter. “In partnership with Al Jalila Foundation, we are proud to extend the reach of this program to reduce stigma and discrimination against those with mental illnesses in the UAE.”

The Carter Center will provide trainings, educational materials, mentorship, evaluation tools, and technical assistance to develop a sustainable and tailored program in the UAE.

Al Jalila Foundation will manage the program and will be responsible for the selection of journalists, facilitating media trainings, adapting the program to meet the needs of the Emirates, and local evaluations.

Dr Abdulkareem Al Olama said: “It is a huge privilege to launch the mental health journalism program for the first time in the region and continue the incredible work that former US First Lady Rosalynn Carter has done to combat the stigma associated with mental illnesses.”

Since the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism were established in 1996, fellows have produced more than 1500 stories, documentaries, books, and other works during and after their fellowship year. Their projects have garnered Emmy Awards, nominations for the Pulitzer Prize, and other awards.

For more information on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism (RCJF) program please contact info@aljalilafoundation.ae.

Al Jalila Foundation, a global philanthropic organisation dedicated to transforming lives through medical education and research, today hosted the highly-anticipated third edition of Destination Medicine Summit, a student conference aimed at inspiring Emirati students to pursue careers in medicine. Following the success of the 2014 and 2015 edition, this year the event is being held over 3 days to accommodate 2000 students from schools across the UAE.

The opening ceremony was attended by over 670 students and a number of VIPs including HE Dr Raja Al Gurg, Member of the Board for Trustees and Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Al Jalila Foundation; HE Marwan Al Sawaleh, Assistant Undersecretary of Support Services, Ministry of Education; Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General, Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA); Dr Abdulkareem Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation; Professor Sehamuddin Galadari, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation Research Centre; Bader Hareb, CEO of Dubai Healthcare City; Members of the Board of Directors of Al Jalila Foundation and a number of leading healthcare professionals and representatives from the education and healthcare sectors. The VIP delegation toured the exhibition and workshops which featured more than 20 organisations showcasing a number of healthcare innovations.
In partnership with the Ministry of Education, Abu Dhabi Education Council, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, and Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), and Global Partner Enable Community Foundation, Destination Medicine Summit was held at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Centre at DHCC.

The children, dressed in lab coats and stethoscopes, participated in a series of interactive workshops including first aid and emergency response training, introduction to medical robotics, innovations for visually impaired individuals among others medical advancements. The exhibition featuring leading organisations such as Siemens, Johnson & Johnson, GE Healthcare and Unilever showcased a number of healthcare technologies and innovations.

For the first time in the UAE students were able to experience how the heart works from the inside out by stepping inside a giant human heart exhibit. With cardiovascular disease being the number one health challenge in the region, the interactive educational experience aimed to increase awareness of heart health and give the students a better understanding of the complexities of heart anatomy.

Speaking at the event were leading UAE physicians and medical pioneers Dr Manal Taryam, Consultant Ophthalmologist, Dubai Health Authority and Dr Alawi Alsheikh Ali, Consultant Cardiologist, Mohammed Bin Rashid University. Dr Manal is the CEO of Noor Dubai Foundation, the Dubai-based charity that has treated millions people worldwide who suffered from various forms of visual disabilities. Dr Alawi developed the Cardiac Arrhythmia Service at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) and under his leadership, SKMC became a leading referral center for arrhythmias and electrophysiology across the UAE.

The children were given a glimpse into the world of medicine through a series of activities and discussions with real life doctors, nurses, paramedics, surgeons, philanthropists, paramedics and volunteers in the humanitarian field. Medical students from the UAE University shared their challenges and rewards of studying medicine.

One of the summit highlights was a 3D printing workshop in partnership with US-philanthropy Enable Community Foundation. The World Health Organisation estimates that approximately 1 in 2000 births each year involve upper-limb reductions. 3D printing technology has provided a solution that is accessible and affordable. e-NABLE hands and arms are innovative, inexpensive, and child-friendly. For the first time in the region, students had the opportunity to assemble 3D printed prosthetic-like upper limb devices (hands and arms) that will be donated to children around the world as part of Al Jalila Foundation’s global movement that no child should live without a limb.

Her Excellency Dr Raja Easa Al Gurg, Chairperson of the Board of Directors and Member of the Board of Trustees of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “The summit aims to expose the students to the world of medicine and the rewards of working in the humanitarian field. Nothing would make us prouder than to see these students join one of our programs in the future – and become doctors, save lives and give back to their community. That is the essence of Destination Medicine Summit.”

Dr Abdulkareem Al Olama, Chief Executive Officer of Al Jalila Foundation, said “Al Jalila Foundation aims to develop a generation of home-grown medical professionals and Destination Medicine Summit is the perfect platform to connect aspiring young minds with leaders in healthcare. We have been impressed by the students’ enthusiasm and we hope that this experience will instill in them the spirit of medical discovery and innovation.”

Dr Jon Schull, President of Enable Community Foundation, said: “The jobs of tomorrow will not only require new skills, but new ways of thinking. Cultivating a new generation of connected humanitarians to address the challenges of our day is our mission, and we are proud to work directly with Al Jalila Foundation to help realise this shared vision of a better tomorrow by empowering children.”

The event was sponsored by Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Foundation, Total E&P UAE, Abela & Co., Unilever Gulf FZE, Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), Grand Millenium Hotel and Johnson & Johnson Middle East.

Al Jalila Foundation, a global healthcare philanthropic organisation founded to position the UAE at the forefront of medical innovation, has awarded AED 5 million in seed grants to 20 UAE-based medical researchers bringing the total investment to date to AED 9 million for 35 research projects. The seed grants focus on research in the field of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental health and obesity, Al Jalila Foundation Research Centre’s five research priorities. Two Emirati graduates were also selected to pursue medical research fellowships at internationally renowned institutions.

Out of 55 applications submitted for the seed grants, 20 candidates, including 10 women, succeeded following a competitive two-stage international review process with experts from the world’s most renowned medical institutions including Harvard Medical School, University of Oxford, Imperial College, University of Queensland, INSERM, University of Auckland, University of Toronto, University of Glasgow, National University of Singapore and University of Stony Brook. The reviewers were handpicked as leaders in each specific field of research, in line with Al Jalila Foundation’s commitment to cultivating a medical research ecosystem built on international best practice.

Her Excellency Dr Raja Al Gurg, Member of the Board of Trustees and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Al Jalila Foundation, commented: “Scientists around the world continue to search for answers into the causes, prevention and treatment of diseases affecting mankind. Our investment in medical research reaffirms our commitment to embed research and innovation in the fabric of the nation’s long-term healthcare strategy. Medical research has the potential to save lives and our efforts today will pave the way for a healthier world for future generations. ”

Professor Sehamuddin Galadari, Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Cell Biology and Academic & Research Advisor of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “We are pleased to see an increased interest from our research and scientific community, particularly women. The successful recipients have been chosen following an independent competitive selection featuring international reviewers. It is our mission, as we progress with the development of the Al Jalila Foundation Research Centre, to bring local and international scientists together to conduct research in the UAE. Our ultimate goal is to elevate the quality of people’s lives through developing better treatments specific to our nation and the region. ”

Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, added: “Today’s grants further boost our ambitions to cultivate a productive medical research sector in the UAE. Advances in medical research are critical to the nation’s prosperity and this continues to drive our efforts to attract financial support from professionals, philanthropists and corporates in the UAE. Our mission is to inspire medical advancements that will benefit future generations and support our vision to be at the forefront of global medical innovation.”

The grants were awarded to scientists from medical institutions across the UAE including: Dubai Health Authority; Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai; Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi; University of Sharjah and New York University of Abu Dhabi.

The development of the Al Jalila Foundation Research Centre, the UAE’s first independent multi-disciplinary research centre, is on track for a 2017 opening. It will be a beacon for regionally-relevant medical innovation produced by home-grown biomedical researchers.

The 2016 research grant application cycle is open and interested applicants are requested to visit www.aljalilafoundation.ae.

For a summary of research projects and fellowships funded by Al Jalila Foundation please click here.

In an unprecedented charity auction that raised AED 89.8 million at Al Jalila Foundation fundraising gala dinner, the race helmet worn by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, during His victorious win at the FEI World Endurance Championship in 2012, sold for a record-breaking amount of AED 24,050,000.

Also, among the prestigious auction items was Al Yamamah saddle donated by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, which he rode to victory at the 2014 Altech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France. The saddle sold for a record-breaking AED 2,400,000.

The second highest auction sale of the evening was for HH Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Dubai Distinguished Vehicle Number Plate code O number 9, the first time that a single digit Dubai plate has ever been auctioned, which fetched AED 23,900,000. Other auction items included an Arabian Horse, a luxury holiday experience; 300 Year Old Quran; a sculpture by famous Emirati artist; antique pistol statue; limited edition timepieces and a number of Etisalat distinguished telephone numbers.

The gala dinner, which was brought together under the theme of ‘Research for Life’, was attended by over 350 guests including HRH Princess Haya bint Al Hussein; Dr Raja Al Gurg, Member of the Board for Trustees and Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Al Jalila Foundation; Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qutami, Director General of Dubai Health Authority; Abdullah Al Shaibani, Secretary General of Dubai Executive Council: Members of the Board of Trustees of Al Jalila Foundation and a number of philanthropists and members of the community.

Dr Raja Al Gurg, Member of the Board for Trustees and Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Al Jalila Foundation, commented after the auction:

“Our success tonight is testament to the generosity of the people of the UAE. We are very grateful for the support of our sponsors, auction donors and everyone for a wonderful evening. It’s truly inspiring to see the community come together to support local medical research.”

During his welcome Dr Abdulkareem Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, said:

“Al Jalila Foundation, like the rest of Dubai, is a product of the vision and foresight of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, one that has altered the course of medical innovation in the United Arab Emirates. There is no one who embodies better the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and the mission of Al Jalila Foundation than Chairperson of Dubai Healthcare City Authority, HRH Princess Haya bint Al Hussein. Her passion for hunger alleviation, nutrition awareness, and the improvement of healthcare systems is recognized and celebrated the world over. We are so honoured by HRH Princess Haya’s continued support and patronage. It is indeed a privilege and an honor for myself and my team to lead this ground-breaking institution into the future.”

The total proceeds of the charity gala reached AED 89,837,000 which included an AED 25 million donation from Mr Sunny Varkey and AED 10 million from a long-term supporter of the Foundation, Raghuvinder Kataria.

The auction organised by Emirates Auction, a leading global auction house, began online to enable a wider participation and attracted more than 600 bids, including international participants, and culminated with a live auction at the charity gala. Emirates Auction holds five Guinness World Records for the most expensive car plates, properties and vessels sold at auction. Following Al Jalila Foundation charity auction, Emirates Auction now holds the world record for the highest amount ever raised for a race helmet and horse saddle, adding to the company’s long list of accolades.

Also, earlier this month Al Jalila Foundation received an AED 60 million donation from Dr Rajen A. Kilachand. In addition, donations to the value of AED 90 million came from Abdul Salam Kandampath and Shamlal Madathum Parambath, Dr Azad Moopen, Dr B R Shetty, Mr Micky Jagtiani, Mr Nilesh Ved, Mr Puthan N C Menon, Mr Faizal Kottikollon & Ms. Shabana Faizal.

Al Jalila Foundation’s investments in medical research and education aim to nurture a future generation of highly-qualified medical professionals through postgraduate scholarships, research seed grants and international fellowships. The Al Jalila Foundation Research Centre, the UAE’s first independent multi-disciplinary medical research centre, will bring together local and international scientists to address the region’s most pressing health challenges: cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity and mental health. The state-of-the-art centre is scheduled to open in 2017 at Dubai Healthcare City.