Under the directives of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award (MBRKA), the MBRKA’s Board of Trustees held a virtual meeting on July 2^nd, 2020. Chaired by His Excellency Jamal bin Huwaireb Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Secretary General of MBRKA, the meeting was attended by board members representing world leading institutions including the UAE University, Cairo University, University of Oxford, University of Tokyo, and Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University and the Institute of International Education. During the meeting the Board decided that the Award should be given this year to individuals and organizations seeking to enhance knowledge in combating epidemics and infectious diseases.

MBRKA’s Members of the Board of Trustees discussed in the meeting the most prominent aspect that will be highlighted and the individuals and organizations that will be honored as the 2020 Laureates. The Board discussed international efforts to combat infectious diseases and epidemics such as SARS CoV-2 and Covid-19, and how to overcome the problems they brought about. It was decided that nominations will be encouraged from individuals and organizations working to add knowledge in dealing with epidemics. This will serve as a platform for experts to come up with recommendations that highlight the policies and practical methods to help societies combat epidemics and their challenges.

The Boar of Trustees highlighted that the challenges facing all human beings as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic have been addressed by individuals, organizations, governments and others who work together to apply knowledge, and have shown dedication to help us understand and deal with the threats to health and wellbeing. The impact of the epidemic has been felt not only in physical and mental health, but its repercussions have affected other areas such as education, employment, business and government strategies.

Full details of the Mohammed bin Rashid Knowledge Award and how to nominate potential laureates can be found on https://mbrf.ae/knowledgeaward/. The closing date for 2020 nominations is the 31 August.

About MBRKA

In late 2015, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, issued a Decree establishing the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award to encourage those working in knowledge-related fields to innovate and create new ways to spread knowledge around the world. It reflects Dubai’s – and its Ruler’s – resolve to honour knowledge-related advancements anywhere in the world, all the while encouraging innovation and originality.

In 2016 HH Sheikh Mohammed issued a Decision forming the Award’s Board of Trustees under the chairmanship of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Members of the Board include Jamal bin Huwaireb, Vice Chairman of the Board and Secretary -General, and representatives of United Arab Emirates University, Cairo University, Nanyang Technological University, Oxford University and National Geographic.

The Award succeeded in attracting international attention to the Knowledge Summit, an unprecedented type of event in the region. The award is presented every year during the Knowledge Summit to honour a person or institution that has made outstanding contributions to the production and dissemination of knowledge.

With a monetary prize of a generous $1 million, the award is given to honour contributions of significant influence toward developing knowledge, inspiring others, and creating ways to promote knowledge. Areas of nomination include knowledge, development, innovation, leadership, creativity, development of educational institutions and scientific research, telecommunication technology, printing, publishing, paper and electronic documentation, and such additional areas as may be specified and announced by the Board of Trustees from time to time.