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Mohammad Bin Rashid chairs Cabinet meeting
The UAE’s newly-reshuffled Cabinet, presided over by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, met today for the first time and discussed government-related issues.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said the UAE Government, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, had made progress in all fields and has started a new phase of government work after endorsing the new cabinet of the UAE Federal Government to shape the future. “The Emirati is at the core of our daily work and the end goal of improving government sector is to serve Emiratis,” His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid added.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid opened the meeting welcoming the new ministers and praised former ministers for their efforts: “In the past decade, the performance of the UAE Government has been a source of pride and full of achievements. The coming decade will need to double the effort and achieve more progress in services and development,” His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid added.
His Highness underscored the coming phase will have different national priorities: “We have a number of national priorities to address such as youth, knowledge development, community development, climate change, future trends, post-oil phase.
We will develop new innovative mechanism to address them. Our real success will be measured by people’s satisfaction and make their lives easier because the post is a responsibility in front of Allah and the people. And every one is responsible.”
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed urged ministers: “I would like from you all to present a 100-day work plan, especially for the new ministries and those which had many changes. Our goal is to expedite progress. Today, countries and governments are measured not by size but by its speed. I want you to be in the field with the people, addressing challenges and hammering out solutions and make a real change in government work.”
On the other hand, the Cabinet endorsed decrees by which to restructure the Ministerial Council for Services and rename it as the Ministerial Development Council (MDC), setup new government foundations and councils reporting to the Cabinet, following the recently announced cabinet reshuffle. They include Education and Human Resources Council, Emirates Youth Council, Emirates Scientists Council, Emirates Health Services Corporation and Emirates School Education Corporation.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said: “the new Corporations and councils will be a vital contribution to the government to achieve our national aspirations.”
The Ministerial Development Council
The UAE Cabinet endorsed restructuring the Ministerial Development Council (MDC), chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and the following members:
1.His Excellency Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future, Deputy Chairperson
2.His Excellency Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy
3.His Excellency Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Mohammad bin Nasser Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention;
4.His Excellency Saqr bin Ghubash Saeed Ghubash, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation;
5.His Excellency Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy;
6.His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development;
7.His Excellency Sultan bin Saeed Al Badi, Minister of Justice;
8.His Excellency Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education;
9.Her Excellency Najla bint Mohammad Al Awar, Minister of Community Development;
10.His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment;
11.His Excellency Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs;
12.His Excellency Obaid bin Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affair;
13.Her Excellency Jameela bint Salem Al Muhairi, Minister of State for Public Education;
14.His Excellency Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education; and
15.Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Federal National Council Affairs.
Education and Human Resources Council
The Cabinet endorsed setting up the Education and Human Resources Council to be chaired by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The Council will align education and human resources policies in the UAE to ensure education outputs are suitable with market demands and future trends. It will also provide advice on draft laws and policies related to education and local human resources. The Council will propose programmes to equip generations able to meet job market demands and will coordinate efforts with Ministry of Education and Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation as well as relevant entities.
The Education and Human Resources Council will have the following members: His Excellency Saqr Ghubash, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation; His Excellency Hussain Al Hammadi, Minister of Education; His Excellency Sultan Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy;
Her Excellency Najla Al Awar, Minister of Community Development; Her Excellency Jameela Al Muhairi, Minister of State for Public Education; His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education; and Her Excellency Shamma Al Mazrui Minister of State for Youth.
Emirates Youth Council
The Cabinet endorsed setting up the Emirates Youth Council to be chaired by Her Excellency Shamma Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth. The Council will develop youth-related strategies that are aligned with future trends in the UAE, identify challenges facing youth and provide solutions. It will also develop programmes that ensure positive participation of young people in the community in various sectors and learn about young people’s views about related issues and ensure their contribution in boosting national identify and good citizenship among young people.
The council members are: Meera Hesham Al Muhairi, Maryam Saleem Al Bastaki, Fatima Mohammed Al Joker, Meera Faisal Marzooqi, Shorooq Ali Al Dhanhani, Dubai Abdullah Bulhoul, Kaltham Yousif Al Ali, Mohammed Ibrahim Al Hajri, Ali Ibrahim Al Nuaimi, Mohammed Abdullah Al Kendi, Saeed Mohammed Al Nazari, Mohammed Najeeb Essa, Mohammed Sagheer Al Dhaheri.
Emirates Scientists Council
The UAE Cabinet endorsed setting up the Emirates Scientists Council and to be chaired by Sara Al Amiri, Deputy Project manager and Science Lead at UAE Mars Mission at The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre. The Council will provide recommendations to the Cabinet related to future scientific trends as well as the strategy of the National Science and Innovation, nurtures research and development. It will foster cooperation among research and scientific entities in government and the private sector. It will also develop partnership with local and international entities to share knowledge and expertise.
The council members are: Ahmed Al Harthi, Dr. Ahmed Murad Al Raisi, Dr. Faisal Abdulla AlMarzooqi, Dr. Ali Hilal Al Naqbi, Mohammad Matar Al Shamsi, Ghaleb Ali Al Breiki, Dr. Habiba Al Safar, Mohammad AbdulAziz Sultan Al Olama, Amani Al Hosani, Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi.
Emirates Health Services Corporation
The Cabinet endorsed setting up the Emirates Health Services Corporation to operate and manage federal hospitals, centres and health facilities. It will set criteria and standards to ensure quality performance among health facilities, ensure accreditation.
The Emirates Health Services Corporation aims to leverage the competitiveness of government health services. Under its umbrella, The Corporation will have all health facilities currently run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention. The Corporation will have a board, Director-General appointed by a Cabinet Decree.
Emirates School Education Corporation
The Cabinet also endorsed setting up The Emirates School Education Corporation to operate federal schools and kindergarten per the policy set by the Ministry of Education. It supervises operating all federal schools across the UAE, develop strategies to regulate its operation and performance monitoring and evaluation.
The Corporation will provide training to education cadre to improve the sector across the UAE by tailoring and implementing education training progammes and initiatives to improve education quality in schools and kindergarten. It will also setup a unified-student database and manage its records. Under its umbrella, the Corporation will have all federal schools currently run by the Ministry of Education. It will have a board, a Director-General to be appointed by a Cabinet Decree.
The UAE Cabinet held its meeting at the Presidential Palace and was attended by His Highness Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
Emirates Youth Council Members
Chaired by Her Excellency Shamma Al Mazrui Minister of State for Youth
Members and Short Bios
•Meera Hesham Al Muhairi: Meera, 23, works as an inspector at the Federal Nuclear Regulatory Authority. She previously worked for Khalifa University of Science, Technology & Research as Assistant Professor in Machine Design, and an Assistant in Independent Study Lab. Meera was trained in the European Organization for Nuclear Research. She took part in volunteering activities and she took part in organizing the UAE’s stand in Expo Millan. She is also UAE’s Youth Ambassador to Germany. She speaks three languages: German, English, and Arabic and has a photography hobby.
•Maryam Saleem Al Bastaki: Maryam, 23, works for Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Logistics. She currently pursues her higher studies in University of Dubai in International Business Administration and Marketing where she graduated. She previously worked in Dubai World Ports and Emirates Airline. She has interest in volunteering activities specially those related to environment.
•Fatima Mohammed Al Joker: Fatima, 23, works as a legal researcher in Dubai Water and Electricity Authority (DEWA). She received her law degree from University of Sharjah. She has leadership talents as she was the Secretary-General of Female Students at University of Sharjah. She took part in a number of international scientific activities.
•Meera Faisal Marzooqi: Meera, 21, obtained her law Degree from the Paris Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.
•Shorooq Ali Al Dhanhani: Shorooq, 21, studies electronic and electrical engineering in Khalifa University. She took part in a number of international events to address innovation-related issues. She is a member in UAE Ambassador Union in cooperation with the General Authority of Youth & Sports Welfare.
•Dubai Abdullah Bulhoul: Dubai, 22, currently studies political science at New York University Abu Dhabi. She is well known in the Emirati community as the youngest fantasy novelist in the UAE. Her “Galagolia” novel received positive impression among the community. She worked as intern in number of entities such as the UAE Embassy to Washington D.C.
•Kaltham Yousif Al Ali: Kaltham, 23, works as safety analyst at the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation. She studied nuclear and mechanical engineering in Khalifa University. Kaltham was trained in the European Organization for Nuclear Research.
•Mohammed Ibrahim Al Hajri: Mohammed, 22, obtained his B.A. degree in electrical engineering at Khalifa University. He is a contributor of scientific papers published in academic publications.
•Ali Ibrahim Al Nuaimi: Ali, 25, works as nuclear operator at the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation. He obtained his nuclear engineering degree from University of Pennsylvania in the United States.
•Mohammed Abdullah Al Kendi: Mohammed, 24, works as engineer in Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority. He obtained his degree from the American University of Sharjah. He takes part in volunteering activities locally and internationally.
•Saeed Mohammed Al Nazari: Saeed, 25, is a project manager at the Executive Office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He studied business administration and human resources in the Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai. He also obtained his higher degrees in foreign policies and leadership at New York University Abu Dhabi. He is President of the Global Happiness Organization-UAE and is the youngest board member of the global social media club in the UAE.
•Mohammed Najeeb Essa: Mohammed, 25, is a member in the Dubai Club for the Disabled. He is interested in drafting laws and ideas that support the needs of the disabled.
•Mohammed Sagheer Al Dhaheri: Mohammed, 22, works in Abu Dhabi Investment Authority as HR Assistant. He studied civil engineering in University of Pennsylvania in the United States. He aims to obtain a Chartered Financial Analyst Certificate. He has social and leaders skills where he held position of President of International Students’ Union in University of Pennsylvania.
UAE Scientists Council Members
Chaired by Sarah Amiri, Mars Mission Deputy Project Manager and Science Lead
•Ahmed Al Harthi,
Ahmed Al Harthi is the first person to Invent a Mechanism that Generates Bio-fuel from Genetically Modified Algae.. He graduated with bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering from the Petroleum Institute in 2007. He worked at Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Ltd (GASCO) as a process engineer and operations supervisor prior to joining Masdar Institute, where he graduated with a Master degree in Chemical Engineering in 2013. In 2014, Ahmed was awarded among 43 UAE Pioneers for inventing a mechanism that generates biofuel from genetically modified algae. Currently, Ahmed is researching the biotechnological potential role of native microalgae strains in facing water, food, and energy security challenges in the UAE.
•Dr. Ahmed Murad Al Raisi,
Dr. Murad obtained his PhD in Hydrogeology from Western Michigan University in 2004, and he is now the Vice Dean at the College of Science, UAE University and Associate Professor of Hydrogeology. Dr. Murad obtained several research grants since 2005 and is still working in different research projects as principal investigator or co-principal investigator. He is also a member of the Advisory board of the International Center for Integrated Water Resources Management, Virginia, USA. Dr. Murad is also Vice President of the Arabian Peninsula Environmental Advisors Network, member of the Permanent Consultation Mechanism of the Groundwater Governance Project, member of the Arabic Alliance for Environmental Sciences and member of the Board of the Water Science and Technology Association. He is serving as member of the UAE National Committee of IHP. Dr. Murad published over 40 papers in international referred journals and conference proceedings. Also, he participated and presented in more than 50 national and international scientific conferences.
•Dr Faisal Abdulla AlMarzooqi,
Dr Faisal Al Marzooqi was among the recipients of the UAE Pioneers 2015, being the first UAE inventor of water desalination technology based on nanotechnology. Faisal has participated in many studies and published specialized reports that focused on water purification which was referenced in global studies. Faisal holds a PhD in Applied Engineering from Masdar Institute and a Masters Degree in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College in the United Kingdom
•Dr Ali Hilal Al Naqbi,
Dr Ali Hilal Al Naqbi is a 39 year old inventor who was the first to Invent a Bio-Artificial Liver Device on an International Standard Made from Hollow Fibres with 3 Chambers, and was a recipient of the UAE Pioneers award in 2014. Ali is also a Harvard Fellow. Ali holds a
PhD in Bio-Engineering from Scotland and holds a Masters degree in Executive Business Administration from Boston. Al Naqbi has been selected by the World Economic Forum (Davos) to be one of 40 exceptional researchers from the Arab World. Al Naqbi is also a visiting professor and a department head at the United Arab Emirates University, he is also the assistant dean for scientific research and higher education at the University.
•Mohammad Matar Al Shamsi,
Mohammad Al Shamsi is a 30 year old Emirati, holder of a Higher Diploma in Electromechanical Engineering and a Bachelor's degree in Engineering Management from the Higher Colleges of Technology.
•Prof. Ghaleb Ali Al Hadrami Al Breiki,
Prof. Ghaleb Ali Al Breiki received his PhD in Nutrition Sciences from Arizona State University in 1991, USA. Prof. Al Breiki has been appointed as Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies at the UAE University in October 2014, as well as Deputy Vice Chancellor for Admissions and Student Affairs in January of 2014. Prof. Al Breiki served as Dean of the college of Food and Agriculture between 2007 and 2013, and as Vice Dean prior to that for three years, as well as Assistant Dean for Research for three years. Professor Al Breiki has published two books, and over sixty research papers in various scientific issues and global conferences.
•Dr. Habiba Al Safar,
Dr. Al Safar is an Emirati research scholar who's research interest is in constructing the genomic structures of individuals of Arab descent to identify genomic segments that carry gene(s) that are predisposed to disease. Specifically, her researches addresses diseases that are increasing in prevalence amongst the local communities of the UAE. Dr. Al Safar has identified a gene strongly associated with the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes among the Emirati population. Dr. Al Safar's research is the first Genome Wide Association Study of the UAE Bedouin population, and first of its kind in the Middle East.
•Dr Mohammad AbdulAziz Sultan Alolama,
Dr Mohammad was the first surgeon to implant brain pressure measuring device and monitor pressure through wireless device, and was among the recipients of the UAE Pioneers award. With a degree from Sweden, Mohammad is the 2nd Neurosurgeon in the UAE and among the top regionally. He holds a degree from Sweden.
•Amani Al Hosani,
Amani Al Hosani, is the first female Emirati Nuclear Scientist, a graduate of the UAE University who pursued a scholarship under the patronage of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation. Amani received her Master’s Degree in Nuclear Engineering from the Khalifa University specializing in reactor design and analytic sciences for safety.Amani finds her work in simulator engineering is a reenactment of physical phenomena occurring in nature with the use of specialized computer programs. Amani is now deputy head of simulators at the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation. The ENEC established a specialized center to train scientists and engineers on the use of nuclear reactor simulators. Amani believes in the strong role of simulators to teach the technical aspects of nuclear engineering, but also to introduce people to the safety regulations of operating the reactors.
•Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi,
Dr. Arif Al Hammadi is the Executive Vice President of Khalifa University and maintains effective coordination between the university’s academic and administrative functions, overseeing and controlling student admissions, monitoring campus discipline and ensuring an environment conducive to academic excellence.Dr. Arif has a doctoral degree in Telecommunications from the University of London, Queen Mary College. He also has a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the Etisalat University College.He is a board member at Strata, Mubadala’s composite aerostructures manufacturing facility and currently leading UAE universities efforts in the establishment of the Emirates Advanced Network for Research and Education. He is also member in several professional societies including the IET and IEEE. He was the UAE IEEE computer Society Chapter (Chair) for the period 2003-2008.