MBRF’s contributions to supporting UAE’s sustainability journey by fostering innovation and knowledge
Dubai, 21 August 2023: The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) supports and empowers future generations to create sustainable solutions that promote knowledge and research advancements within the Arab world. The MBRF supports research projects, environmental initiatives, and other programs in the UAE as part of its unwavering commitment to developing societies based on science and knowledge. It further exemplifies the guiding principles of effective leadership and its aspirations to create a sustainable future based on knowledge and innovation. The MBRF, which is motivated by the objective to protect the environment and the rich knowledge heritage of the UAE, assists the nation in its efforts to attain sustainability through the implementation of remarkable projects and initiatives.
Promoting education and sustainable learning
The MBRF places significant emphasis on the principles of education and sustainable learning as a prominent strategic focus in its strategies. The MBRF takes a leading position in this field by assisting schools and universities both domestically and abroad in creating cutting-edge educational curricula that instill sustainability values in the youth, promote environmental awareness, and foster critical and creative thinking.
The MBRF recognizes the significant role of knowledge as a key force that steers development, without which such activities are impossible. Therefore, the MBRF is keen to develop the skills of the young generation by offering them expertise, competencies, and knowledge. It also offers them opportunities to enhance their knowledge, thus ensuring a better future.
In line with its commitment to enhancing the capabilities of the education sector, the MBRF launched the “Literacy Challenge” Initiative, targeting 30 million Arab youth and children until 2030. The initiative seeks to offer educational opportunities for non-formal education groups by supporting them to gain the skills and knowledge required to confront prevalent challenges. The MBRF focuses on preparing and qualifying capable national cadres to ensure achieving growth, development, and sustainability goals. It is also committed to allowing recognized individuals to pursue their educational achievements at prestigious international universities. The MBRF further offers scholarships to develop skills by offering opportunities for the privileged to continue their academic achievements at a reputed university. Additionally, the MBRF assigns a special budget for graduating media professionals who can create media content that helps in developing a sustainable knowledge society through the Mohammed Bin Rashid School for Communication (MBRSC). The MBRF also provides the Oxford Scholarship for Arab and UAE students who aspire to complete their postgraduate degrees at the University of Oxford. With the help of this scholarship, students get the opportunity to capitalize on their intellectual prowess and enroll in one of the top colleges in the world. The scholarship marks a key step in the careers of those preparing to become influential global leaders. It also allows them to reinforce their abilities to create and share knowledge, further contributing to the progress and development of societies and building a better future.
Societal and environmental learning
According to the MBRF, maintaining a healthy environment is a societal responsibility that involves the combined efforts of many organizations and people. In line with this, the MBRF makes a pioneering effort to raise public understanding of environmental issues through a range of awareness activities and events. The institution serves as a foundational element in the UAE’s initiatives to create and promote social and environmental awareness and symbolizes the nation's dedication to encouraging sustainable development and community involvement. By hosting workshops and interactive symposiums on these topics, the MBRF seeks to educate and inspire people to play an active role in enhancing the environment and advancing sustainable development. In this regard, one of the most significant sessions organized by the MBRF is the ‘KnowTalks’ series. These sessions were hosted in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), offering a platform to address various topics, including economic, health, educational, environmental, and social issues. These discussions examine international best practices and experiences and offer a stage for exchanging insights and creative solutions to current knowledge challenges. The MBRF is committed to equipping decision-makers and other key players in society with the knowledge and tools they need to confront challenges, progress, and develop. Through these efforts, the MBRF seeks to strengthen its role as a link between academia, government, and private sector to attain integration in addressing diverse challenges. These programs and initiatives are a component of the MBRF's mission to create a diligent and responsible society that strives for sustainable development and environmental preservation for both present and future generations.
Supporting research and innovation
The MBRF is committed to enhancing scientific research in different fields to prepare the future generation to innovate sustainable solutions and facilitate access to knowledge and research in the Arab world. As a result, the MBRF is dedicated to offering support to researchers and innovators who help create long-lasting answers to current problems. The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award inspires innovators and key entities in various knowledge fields to devise ideas that could develop knowledge exchange and promote sustainability globally. Furthermore, the MBRF strives to advance the research and innovation capabilities of the youth and professionals by conducting various educational programs and workshops that offer participants the opportunity to attain key knowledge and skills to elaborate on the scope of their project and contribute to acquiring sustainable development.
The Knowledge Summit, held by the MBRF, is a one-of-a-kind annual event in the Arab world. It is one of the most significant and well-known international conferences focusing on the dissemination of knowledge and skills. Decision-makers, experts, and stakeholders consider the event a key resource to create new plans and policies. The summit has evolved into a prime international forum that sheds light on various ways of creating sustainable societies and economies.
Providing an ideal environment to support sustainability process
The MBRF exceeds expectations by creating an environment that promotes sustainability and leads to sustainable development across the nation as part of its active contribution to society. The “Digital Knowledge Hub” was introduced as a result of the MBRF’s efforts, which offers access for scholars and other interested parties to a variety of content in different areas. The center offers a valuable experience that allows visitors to explore knowledge through books, articles, studies, research, heritage materials, reports, guidelines, and multimedia. It also offers a digital memory for the content of Arab knowledge institutions, improving the capacity to develop digital platforms that strengthen communication and knowledge exchange.
The MBRF takes the lead in integrating sustainability concepts into practice throughout its operations. Additionally, it takes exceptional efforts to maintain a balance between its operations and environmental preservation. The MBRF is dedicated to minimizing its environmental impact by increasing the effectiveness of resource use, such as conserving energy and reducing waste, which further helps reduce environmental contamination and preserve the environment for future generations.
Partnerships, international cooperation, and participation in global events
The MBRF identifies the significance of partnerships and collaborative efforts at a global level to attain sustainable development. As a result, it strives to develop effective partnerships with international and local institutions to advance the exchange of expertise and knowledge and promote cooperation in attaining sustainability goals. These collaborations come under the MBRF's strategy, which seeks to encourage scientific research and innovation in order to have a positive effect on society and the environment. Through these partnerships, the MBRF creates and executes educational and research programs that successfully address the requirements of students and the community.
The MBRF will participate in the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28) in line with its relentless commitment to support the UAE’s efforts to attain sustainable development by engaging in discussions and exchanging relevant solutions to mitigate climate change issues. The participation indicates the commitment of the MBRF to work collaboratively with various stakeholders to raise awareness about climate change and the need to preserve the planet for future generations. The MBRF has broadened its influence and significantly advanced knowledge, education, and sustainable development throughout the world with the help of international collaborations. These initiatives are based on the UAE's ambitious goal of fostering greater international cooperation in tackling global issues and ensuring sustainable development for future generations.
The MBRF plays a significant role as a key strategic partner in guiding the UAE's transition to a clean and green future. The MBRF supports educational institutions and creates curricula that foster sustainability principles and stimulate critical and creative thinking in order to advance ideas of sustainable education and learning, which is a key component of our vision. It helps the youth develop their talents and gain access to knowledge, empowering them to realize their goals and ensure a better future. The MBRF exemplifies the UAE's forward-thinking leadership in laying the foundations for a sustainable knowledge society and making advancements that benefit both the present and coming generations. The MBRF seeks to promote sustainability-related values and accomplish holistic progress in all facets of life through its initiatives and programs. These initiatives highlight the crucial role that knowledge plays in creating resilient and long-lasting communities.
