The decree appoints Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum as chairman of the board, with H.E. Hisham Abdullah Al Qassim named vice chairman, according to the Emirates News Agency. Additional members include senior officials from Dubai government departments, the health and education ministries, and experts in medical research and academic development. This formation follows Law No. (13) of 2023, which established the foundation as a non-profit entity to consolidate previous award programs into a unified structure.
The foundation traces its origins to initiatives launched by the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, with the Award for Distinguished Academic Performance created in 1998 and the Award for Medical Sciences following in 1999, a historical account from the foundation’s profile shows. These programs expanded from local to regional and international levels through partnerships with UNESCO, ALECSO and other bodies focused on talent and research. Over 25 years, the initiatives have supported scientific studies, honored outstanding individuals and contributed to elevating standards in both fields.
Objectives detailed in the 2023 law include backing government and community efforts to highlight education and medicine while fostering innovation, talent and quality, according to the legislation published by the Dubai Legal Portal. The foundation also aims to encourage research in national priority areas, motivate distinguished researchers and sponsor projects that develop specialized reports on excellence. Such goals align with the founder’s philanthropic legacy, which extended to building schools, providing scholarships and supporting medical facilities across multiple continents.
Board responsibilities encompass overseeing general policies for developing education, medicine and related research, as stipulated in the establishing law. Trustees will sponsor creative projects, promote a culture of excellence and ensure alignment with broader UAE strategies for human capital development. The composition brings together expertise from across sectors to guide strategic decisions and program implementation.
In one recent cycle, the foundation recognized 62 winners across local, Gulf and Arab awards, with 40 local honorees selected from 198 participants and additional winners from research submissions by 17 countries, foundation figures show. These results reflect sustained growth in engagement since the original awards began. International collaborations have enabled knowledge exchange and elevated the foundation’s role in global discussions on medical innovation and educational quality.
The decree reinforces Dubai’s focus on institutional frameworks that support long-term advancement in critical sectors, building on investments that have driven measurable improvements in research output and educational performance over the past decade, according to government reports. Trustees are expected to facilitate coordination with public entities to maximize impact. This development positions the foundation to address emerging challenges in healthcare and learning through targeted programs and partnerships.
