Developing scientific research to benefit families of Dubai and the UAE

Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Defence Minister General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced today that he will donate of Dh50 million ($13.6 million) to the Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research. The Foundation was created this year by Harvard Medical International (HMI) and Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) to support biomedical research and academic programs that will both advance new scientific knowledge and create a regional community of leaders in science and medicine. Its establishment is part of the mission of Dubai Healthcare City to become a globally acknowledged location of choice for health care and a center of excellence for specialist medical services, medical education, life science research, and technology leveraged health care services.

Sheikh Mohammed praised the leadership of DHCC for the progress they have made so far,
“The creation of this Foundation is a critical step towards establishing an academic center for scientific research and discovery, and reaching for solutions to the most important health care problems affecting our people and their families,” he said. “I encourage others to join me in this mission.”

Foundation programs will be implemented through the Harvard Medical School Dubai Center Institute for Postgraduate Education and Research (HMSDC), which will also develop collaborative scientific and medical research between regional laboratories and Harvard Medical School.

“We are sincerely grateful for the vision and generosity of His Royal Highness Sheikh Mohammed.” said Dr Robert Thurer, Chief Academic Officer of HMSDC. “His commitment to making high quality academic medicine accessible to everyone in the Gulf Region is a great motivator for everyone working at DHCC and HMSDC. Our role at HMSDC is to make sure that the strategic partnership between Dubai and Harvard Medical School develops a new population of academic leaders who will build a thriving research community within DHCC and the Gulf Region.”

The Foundation plans to raise $100 million to create a permanent endowment, which will generate funds to sustain medical education, create scholarship and fellowship programs, and develop research centers in life sciences.

Membership in the Foundation offers philanthropists the opportunity to drive biomedical research in a number of critical disease areas, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders affecting children, among others. Founder Members will also join the Foundation Council and take their place alongside a small number of like-minded individuals who want to develop with Sheikh Mohammed a vision of world-class healthcare and research.

For further information please email dhfmr@hms.harvard.edu, or contact Jasmin Mehovic, Program Coordinator, at +1 617-535-6400.