Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, MBRF, has officially opened submissions for the annual Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award, MBRKA, with the deadline set for 31st July, 2017.

The initiative being is held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the MBRF, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Award.

The award seeks to recognise and honour individuals and organisations who have made significant contributions to the field of knowledge, and to encourage them to innovate and play an influential role in building the knowledge economy.

Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF and Secretary-General of the Award, said, "The award has underlined the necessity to produce, disseminate, and localise knowledge in the region. It is a prestigious award that plays a critical role in building a knowledge economy at the local, regional, and international levels. The award embeds knowledge into the cultural fabric of our societies and promotes intellectual and creative achievements."

"Over the course of the past few years, the award has successfully driven individuals across all segments of society to get involved in the knowledge industry," bin Huwaireb continued. "We look forward to carry on with our mission again this year, bringing a new set of innovations and innovators before our panel of regional and international knowledge experts and academics."

Written submissions in Arabic or English will be received on the award’s website, where candidates that meet the necessary criteria can register for consideration, even if they have won the award in previous years. Candidates can be individuals in the UAE and abroad, government departments, or local, regional, and international companies and organisations. The award, however, cannot be granted posthumously.

Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, issued Decree No. 36 of 2015 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.

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

In late 2016, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum issued a decision appointing Jamal bin Huwaireb as Secretary-General of the Award.