United Arab Emirates, 27 October 2015 – His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan receives prestigious Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Salford, UAE

The University of Salford, United Arab Emirates (UAE) is delighted to announce that His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has been presented with a prestigious Alumni Achievement Award. 

In receiving the award, His Highness joins an elite rank of graduates who have achieved particular distinction in their chosen field. His Highness graduated from the University of Salford with a Masters in Political Science in 1989.

The Alumni Achievement Award is awarded to distinguished individuals who have made exceptional contributions to their community and country in areas such as arts, society, business and humanitarian. His Highness was chosen for the award in recognition of his services to the development of the UAE as trusted adviser to the leadership of his father, His 

Highness Sheikh Kalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. 
In addition, His Highness has an impressive education record, holding two doctoral qualifications alongside a distinguished military career that has seen him reach, thus far, the senior rank of Staff Brigadier.

Commenting on the award, University of Salford Vice Chancellor, Professor Helen Marshall, said: “On behalf of the University of Salford we are honoured that His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has accepted our Alumni Achievement Award.  We are immensely proud to have such a distinguished individual as one of our former students.”

Graeme Mullin, Director of Partnerships in the Middle East, at the University, added: “At the University of Salford we are justly proud of the many great achievements of our diverse and vibrant global alumni community. 

“We are truly honoured to have His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan as one of our alumni, and we can think of no one more deserving for this esteemed award. He continues to make a significant contribution to the country’s admirable vision of building an open, efficient, and internationally renowned society.”

This award also recognises the efforts and contributions of the Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Humanitarian and Scientific Foundation. Many of His Highness’s services to his country have been completed through this Foundation. The Foundation undertakes important work in pursuit of the advancement of scientific and medical practices that aim to improve the quality of life and alleviate human suffering. These include genetic screening and control programs that have a major impact in the community. 

As well as his academic and charitable endeavours, His Highness is also an accomplished businessman, sitting as Chairman of SBK Holdings and as a board member of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. SBK Holdings have a range of companies that work across many different industries in the Gulf region and around the world. SBK companies employ 10,000 people in the UAE and the group’s business activities cover everything from hotels and real estate to newspaper publishing and distribution.

The award was presented  to His Highness in a private ceremony by Graeme Mullin, Director of Partnerships, Middle East,  at the University of Salford and Dr Ala Garad, CEO of Investors in People UAE and Chairman of the Salford GCC Advisory Board. Also at the presentation was Sunita Mirchandani, UAE Lead Advisor for Education and Training at the British Embassy in Dubai and Dr Mahmoud Taleb Al AIi, Executive Director of the Shiekh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Humanitarian and Scientific Foundation.

Dr Ala Garad added: “The relationship between students and their university is a life-long one. The University of Salford is proud of its sustained relationship with its alumni over years, across the world. This award is a landmark in the history of University to recognise the efforts and contributions of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan.”