ABU DHABI, 20th May, 2017 (WAM) — Sandooq Al Watan, a national initiative launched by prominent Emirati businessmen to support research projects, has received AED12 million in contributions to help support its mission to build a sustainable knowledge economy as directed by the UAE leadership’s vision for the post-oil era.
Of the AED12 million total, AED1 million was pledged by the National Corporation for Tourism and Hotels, NCT&H. Another AED5 million was donated by Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, while the remaining AED6 million came from an Emirati businessman.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Chairman of the NCT&H, said, “We take great pride in contributing to Sandooq Al Watan. It reflects our deep faith in the pivotal role that it plays in empowering the national workforce and providing them particularly, the youth, with the opportunity to hone their skills and develop their capabilities.”
“We applaud Sandooq Al Watan’s efforts and wish the fund more prosperity and success in its mission to shape a better future for the coming generations,” he added.
The fund’s Board of Directors expressed their appreciation for the new contributions and their pride in the local business community, noting that the donations reflect the cohesion between the various segments of UAE society; they resonate with the vision of the country’s wise leaders, who have called for sustainable development to build a post-oil knowledge economy that can ensure the UAE’s global competitiveness.
Sandooq Al Watan pledges its resources to research, projects, and initiatives that seek to find solutions for the challenges of the future, and that work to develop national talents and foster innovation and creativity.
The national initiative seeks to involve the business community and private sector in the development efforts and to encourage the public to donate.
