The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) was founded on May 19, 2007 by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed stated that the money is meant to bridge the knowledge gap between the Arab region and the developed world,[1] improving the standard of education and research in the region, developing leadership programs for youth, and stimulating job creation.
| Founded | 2007 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum |
| Headquarters | , |
Key people | Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Maktoum (Chairman) Jamal bin Huwaireb (CEO) |
| Website | mbrf |
Jamal bin Huwaireb is the CEO of the organization.
Activities
editThe Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation was founded in 2007. It later changed its name to the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF). Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said he would give 10 billion USD to set up the foundation.[2]
The foundation funds areas related to knowledge, education, entrepreneurship, innovation and employment.[3][4]
In 2008, Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) partnered with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to establish the Arab Knowledge Project (now called Knowledge Project).[5] In 2019, the foundation and UNDP renewed their partnership on the Knowledge Project to boost sustainable development in the Arab States region and around the world.[6]
In 2008, the foundation pledged 100,000 books to children in the Arab world, and grants to writers of children's books.[7] In 2009, the foundation was setting up a book fair.[8] In 2020, on the occasion of the United Nations International Day of Education, MBRF launched Digital Knowledge Hub - an online platform to facilitate self education and promote development.[9][10][11] The platform allows users to read and download 300,000 titles and 3.5 million digital items including books, magazines, children’s stories, summaries, audio books, and videos.[12][13]
In 2010, the organization assisted with flood relief in Pakistan.[14] In 2013 the foundation participated in a young engineers conference in Kuwait.[15]
As of 2009, the foundation signed memorandums of understanding with 28 universities (including top ones like Harvard University and Columbia University) which give the fellows of the foundation access to these universities.[16][17] In 2008, it launched a program which stimulated translation of literary works into Arab language.[18] In 2015, MBRF launched Oxford - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Graduate Scholarship (OMBR), in collaboration with University of Oxford, to enable Arab postgraduate students to attend the university and support researchers and enhance their capabilities in reaching the highest scientific ranks.[19]
In 2015, MBRF started Nobel Museum to highlight the contributions made by Nobel Prize winners around the globe.[20][21][22][23]
Rima Khalaf was Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation from 2008 to 2009.[24] As of 2012, the chairman of the foundation was Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Sheikh Mohammed's son) and the CEO was Sultan Ali Rashid Lootah.[25][26][27]
Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award (MBRKA)
editIn December 2014, MBRF introduced Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award (MBRKA). The organization gave its inaugural "Knowledge Award" to Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Jimmy Wales, along with a US$1 million cash prize. Other award recipients include Hiroshi Ishiguro, Ahmad Alshugairi, Dr. Hiroshi Komiyama and Melinda Gates.[28][29]
| Ceremony | Date | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Edition
MBRKA[30] |
December 7–9, 2014 | Jimmy Wales
Tim Berners Lee |
| 2nd Edition
MBRKA[31] |
December 4–6, 2015 | National Geographic
Ahmad Alshugairi Hiroshi Ishiguro |
| 3rd Edition
MBRKA[32] |
December 5–7, 2016 | Melinda Gates, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company The Arab Thought Foundation |
| 4th Edition
MBRKA[33] |
November 21–22, 2017 | MiSK Foundation
Hiroshi Komiyama Wendy Kopp |
| 5th Edition
MBRKA |
December 05th - 06th, 2018 | The Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation
Institute of International Education (IIE) Saudi Digital Library (SDL) Amersi Foundation |
| 6th Edition
MBRKA |
November 19–20, 2019 | Saudi Aramco
Singapore’s National Institute for Education (NIE) Henrik von Scheel |
References
edit- ^ Dubai sets up $10bn education fund. Aljazeera.
- ^ Leyne, Jon (2007-05-19). "Dubai ruler in vast charity gift". BBC News. Retrieved 2007-05-19.
- ^ "Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation Homepage". Archived from the original on 2013-09-20. Retrieved 2009-07-27.
- ^ "Mohammed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum Foundation and the UNDP Launch the AKR 2010\2011in Paris (press release)". Zawya. 16 Dec 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
- ^ "UNDP and MBRF renew partnership to harness knowledge for development". UNDP. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
- ^ "UNDP and MBRF renew partnership to harness knowledge for development". UNDP. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
- ^ "MBRF to donate 100k books to Dubai charity". Gulf News. 3 November 2008. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
- ^ Dubai set to rival Bologna with new fair. The Bookseller.
- ^ WAM. "Self-education 'Digital Knowledge Hub' launched - Business - Technology - Emirates24|7". www.emirates247.com. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
- ^ "The first phase of the Dubai Digital Library launched". gulfnews.com. 27 January 2016. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
- ^ "MBRF launches new edition of 'Dubai Digital Library' with Arabic content". Al Arabiya English. 2018-10-17. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
- ^ "MBRF offers 300,000 titles online for free". www.gulftoday.ae. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
- ^ "MBRF supports People of Determination with dedicated library at Digital Knowledge Hub". wam. 21 May 2020. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
- ^ UAE groups join flood relief efforts. The News International.
- ^ Mohammed bin Rashid Foundation participates in the conference young engineers Archived 2013-04-13 at archive.today. Al-Qabas.
- ^ "Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, six US Universities sign MoUs". Emirates News Agency. April 18, 2009. Archived from the original on April 10, 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
- ^ Lootah, Sultan (June 21, 2008). "Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation Strikes Entrepreneurship Agreement with Morocco's Al Akhawayn University". Zawya. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
- ^ "Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation Launches 'Tarjem' to Inspire Translation Work in Arab World". Zawya. February 13, 2008. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
- ^ "Oxford - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Scholarship enables two Arab researchers to pursue their postgraduate studies". wam. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
- ^ Staff Reporter. "Museum unravels many aspects of human body". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
- ^ "The Nobel Museum". mbrf.ae. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
- ^ "Mohammad Bin Rashid Foundation announces Nobel Exhibition". gulfnews.com. 28 January 2019. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
- ^ "Nobel Museum showcases how chemistry discoveries transformed the world". gulfnews.com. 4 February 2018. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
- ^ Harvard Arab Alumnae Association 2012 Conference Archived 2012-06-30 at the Wayback Machine (Accessed March 2013)
- ^ "Sultan Lootah appointed Executive Director of MBRF". Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum website. 16 October 2012. Archived from the original on 27 May 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
- ^ "Mohammed bin Rashid attends Lootah family wedding". United Arad Emirates Protocol Department - Dubai. 1 September 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
- ^ Sharif, Arif (26 June 2011). "Dubai's Sheikh Ahmed to Head Emirates NBD in Board Reshuffle". Bloomberg.
- ^ "Web inventor, Wiki co-founder share $1m Knowledge Award - Khaleej Times". December 8, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
- ^ "MBRKA Nominations Invited from Individuals and Organizations Working to Add Knowledge in Dealing with Epidemics | Pro News Report". 2020-08-10. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
- ^ Reporter, Muaz Shabandri/staff. "Web inventor, Wiki co-founder share $1m Knowledge Award". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
- ^ Foundation, Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. "Winners of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award Announced in Dubai". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 2020-11-24.
- ^ "Knowledge Award | Knowledge Summit 2018 Honours Winners of 5th Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award". mbrf.ae. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
- ^ "Knowledge Award | Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award 2019 Laureates: Education and Knowledge Key for Positive Disruption". mbrf.ae. Retrieved 2020-10-26.