Middle East educational charity setup by Dubai ruler
The ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
al-Maktoum, says he is giving $10bn (£5bn) to set up an educational
foundation in the Middle East.
The ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, says he is giving $10bn (£5bn) to set up an educational foundation in the Middle East. The money is meant to improve the standard of education and research in the region, and aims to stimulate job creation, Sheikh Mohammed said.
It is thought to be one of the largest charitable donations in history.
The whole Arab world publishes fewer books than the country of Turkey. And spending on scientific research is only a tiny fraction of that in developed countries.
“There is a wide knowledge gap between us and the developed world in the West and in Asia. Our only choice is to bridge this gap as quickly as possible, because our age is defined by knowledge,” the sheikh said.
An admirable goal for any nation. All the more important in a region with so much illiteracy.
Posted: Sat - May 19, 2007 at 12:22 PM