UAE BARQ برق الإمارات – نبضك
H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Humanitarian Envoy of The Big Heart Foundation, announced the establishment of the “Jawaher Al Qasimi Humanitarian Innovation Centre” at Universitas Gadjah Mada in the Yogyakarta region of the Republic of Indonesia.
The centre will serve as a permanent multidisciplinary platform linking academic knowledge, research and innovation with field-based humanitarian expertise, and transforming them into practical solutions that can be tested, developed and implemented, contributing to improving the lives of communities.
The establishment of the centre comes through a partnership between The Big Heart Foundation, NAMA Women Advancement Establishment (NAMA) and Universitas Gadjah Mada, with total funding of $1.6 million, comprising $1 million from The Big Heart Foundation, $500,000 from NAMA Women Advancement Establishment and $100,000 from Universitas Gadjah Mada.
In a speech delivered during the signing ceremony for the centre’s establishment agreement, H.H. the Humanitarian Envoy of The Big Heart Foundation stressed that universities play a pivotal role in the advancement of societies by educating generations, developing knowledge and broadening understanding of the challenges facing the world.
His Highness noted that the true value of knowledge is realised when it extends beyond the walls of academic institutions to serve people, respond to their needs and contribute to building better lives. This is an approach shared by the Emirate of Sharjah with academic and humanitarian institutions.
H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed explained that investment in people, education and culture has long been a key pillar of Sharjah’s journey, under the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, alongside the humanitarian efforts led by his wife, H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Council, which place human dignity and the provision of opportunities at the heart of her efforts.
He noted that the establishment of the “Jawaher Al Qasimi Humanitarian Innovation Centre” at Universitas Gadjah Mada is an extension and embodiment of these values.
H.H. the Humanitarian Envoy of The Big Heart Foundation pointed out that the establishment of the centre builds on the existing partnership between NAMA and Universitas Gadjah Mada through the “Jawaher Fund for the Advancement of Women’s Education”, affiliated with NAMA. The centre will support women wishing to pursue postgraduate studies.
H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed stressed that the establishment of a centre for humanitarian innovation through joint efforts by NAMA and The Big Heart Foundation reflects the need to bring together academic knowledge, humanitarian expertise and community realities within a single system, amid the growing interconnectedness of humanitarian and development challenges, including food security and livelihoods, climate change and resilience, women’s empowerment, and child wellbeing.
H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed explained that the centre aims to strengthen the link between knowledge, humanitarian innovation and community needs by gaining a deeper understanding of realities on the ground, exploring the underlying causes of existing challenges, and transforming knowledge and research into practical and effective solutions.
