Dubai Holding funds AED 5 million towards Al Jalila Foundation’s obesity research
Dubai Holding funds AED 5 million towards Al Jalila Foundation’s obesity research
June 16, 2014- Five years support to build capacities for ground-breaking medical research
- Al Jalila Foundation becomes official charity for all Dubai Holding Wellness activities
Dubai Holding, the global investment holding company, and Al Jalila Foundation, a global philanthropic organisation dedicated to transforming lives through medical education and research, announced today that Dubai Holding will fund AED 5 million towards obesity research in the UAE.
Al Jalila Foundation’s Obesity Research Fund aims to build capacities among specialists to conduct ground-breaking medical research that is UAE-centric, but yields global benefits. The programme will strengthen the culture of local research to align education with treatment.
His Excellency Ahmad Bin Byat, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding, said: “The agreement today is a demonstration of our shared vision of promoting health and wellness in the UAE. We have recently extended our Corporate Wellness Programme’s mandate to go beyond our employees and include the wider UAE community. Our collaboration with Al Jalila Foundation on obesity research is a key component of this enhanced scope and we look forward to strong results and further cooperation.”
Her Excellency Raja Al Gurg, Member of the Board of Trustees and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Al Jalila Foundation, added: “We welcome Dubai Holding’s choice of Al Jalila Foundation as its long-term partner and thank them for this generous support. Dubai Holding and Al Jalila Foundation share a common goal to prioritise the health of our nation. Obesity is one of the most common diseases in the UAE and one of five medical health issues identified as a focus for the Al Jalila Foundation Research Centre. Tackling this epidemic relies on support from the whole community and continued investment into medical research. With the support of corporations such as Dubai Holding and the wider community, we can help eradicate obesity for our children and our country for generations to come.”
In recognition of Dubai Holding’s continued support since Al Jalila’s inception, Her Excellency Raja Al Gurg, presented His Excellency Ahmad Bin Byat with Al Jalila Foundation’s ‘Key of Hope’, a special commemorative key, inspired by the organisation’s pledge to unlock new advancements for a healthier society. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, was the first to receive Al Jalila Foundation’s “Key of Hope” when he established the Foundation in April 2013.
Dubai Holding has been named as Al Jalila Foundation’s Strategic Wellness Partner. Al Jalila Foundation has been the official charity of all Dubai Holding Wellness activities.
Dubai Holding, in partnership with Jumeirah Emirates Towers, raised a record AED 280,000 at the UAE’s leading Vertical Marathon for Al Jalila Foundation’s diabetic medical research. In addition, Al Jalila Foundation was the official charity for the 2013 Dubai Women’s Run and 2014 Dubai Marathon.
Dubai Holding recently contributed AED 5 million towards the UAE Water Aid campaign on behalf of its companies under the Corporate Wellness Programme, launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to ensure that 5 million people around the world get regular supply of clear water. Dubai Holding’s contribution will support 200,000 people in developing countries to build wells, install pumps and provide water purification equipment. Potable water is a basic necessity for wellbeing and this donation reflects Dubai Holding’s commitments to supporting healthy living.