Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award reaches out to UAE universities

Dubai, UAE, 21 June 2016: The UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia), under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), has organised a campaign to promote the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award (MBR Global Water Award) at universities across the UAE. 

The campaign was held at the American University in Dubai, United Arab Emirates University, the American University of Sharjah, Khalifa University of Science, Zayed University, Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai, and Masdar Institute of Science and Technology. This is part of Suqia’s efforts to encourage organisations to participate in and contribute to achieving the goals of the Award, which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The Award is worth USD 1 million.

Suqia conducted talks and presentations to raise awareness on its current projects, initiatives, and the MBRGI, which is one of the largest development and community foundations in the region. MBRGI consolidates the work of 28 organisations and will target over 130 million people over the coming years. The campaigns witnessed the participation of a large number of staff, students and administrative personnel.

“UAE Water Aid (Suqia) works to achieve the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to build a knowledge-based economy, with a focus on technology, research, development, and innovation, to find solutions to the problem of water scarcity. The MBR Global Water Award contributes to achieving the National Innovation Strategy, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to transform the UAE into one of the most innovative countries in the world over the next seven years,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Suqia.

“The campaign is part of our efforts to promote the award locally, regionally, and internationally. Suqia encourages leading corporations, research centres, institutions and innovators from across the world to compete to find sustainable and innovative renewable-energy solutions to the problem of water scarcity,” added Al Tayer.

“Suqia is committed to achieving the objectives set by the MBR Global Water Award. The Award motivates Suqia to continue its efforts in humanitarian aid development, and enhance its international humanitarian mission to strengthen local, regional, and international cooperation. The MBR Global Water Award has gained much attention through the various campaigns we have organised. The most recent campaign was organised in cooperation with DEWA and covered the Netherlands, India, Germany, UK, Italy, and China. This has added to the coverage of the Award with international events such as COP21 in Paris, the Solar Decathlon in California, the Carbon Ambassadors Programme in Dubai, and other activities that coincide with the 70th session of the UN General Assembly in New York,” said Mohammed Abdulkareem Al Shamsi, Acting Executive Director of Suqia.

The Award worth USD 1 million comprises three categories: The Innovative Projects Award is worth USD 500,000; the Innovative Research and Development Award is worth USD 400,000 in the category of national and international institutions, and finally the Innovative Youth Award is worth USD 100,000. The winners will be announced in the fourth quarter of 2016.

During the campaign, the MBR Global Water Award has attracted the attention of a large amount of students and staff members. This reflects the youth’s interest in innovation and sustainable technological solutions, and commitment towards enhancing the UAE’s position in innovation and supporting humanitarian initiatives and projects. The campaign also enhances the sustainable development of the UAE.