April 15, 2017-Sharjah- Sharjah Government Media Burea

Officials from various Sharjah government entities working for children and youth welfare have lauded the Emiri decree recently issued by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, organising Rubu’ Qarn (Quarter of a Century) Foundation, the umbrella body of Sharjah Children Centres, Sharjah Youth, Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah and Sharjah Tatweer Forum. The officials described the decree as a result of decades of relentless efforts to nurture human society in its various stages.

Speaking to Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), the Sharjah officials lauded the direct involvement and follow-up by HH the Ruler of Sharjah of the Emirate’s plans and programmes to prepare today’s generations for the future. The Emiri decree organising Rubu' Qarn Foundation under the chairmanship of HH Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of HH the Ruler of Sharjah, will help synchronise efforts of the various bodies that fall under the umbrella of the Foundation. 

Sheikha Aisha Khalid Al Qasimi, Director of Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah, said the Emiri decree issued by HH the Ruler of Sharjah organising Rubu' Qarn Foundation for Creating Future Leaders and Innovators in the Emirate of Sharjah would play a major role in unifying the general vision of the Emirate on the development of children and youth capacities and investing them for the benefit of the country.

She asserted that the attention paid by HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi and his wife Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi to the groups targeted by the Foundation demonstrates the commitment of the UAE’s wise leadership to the wellbeing of its people. She emphasised that investing in future generations would have a great, positive impact on maintaining current achievements and accomplishing many more in the future.

Dr Saeed Musabbeh Al Kaabi, President of Sharjah Education Council, said the newly issued Emiri decree aligns with the strategy of the Council to encourage, support and nurture bright, innovative students. “The presence of an umbrella body chaired by HH Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi will increase students’ chances of acquiring innovative skills that will prepare them for scientific and professional studies in the future,' he said.

'Science and knowledge form an important part of the UAE's strategy, and UAE citizens, when placed in an environment that stimulates creativity and innovation, can compete with inventors who have changed the world with their inventions,” added Dr Al Kaabi.

Jassem Albloushi, Member of the Board of Trustees of Rubu' Qarn Foundation on behalf of Sharjah Tatweer Forum, described the decree as a forward-looking vision aimed at building generations of Emiratis that are committed to their identity and able to raise the competitive edge of the country, while promoting sustainable development through nurturing Man throughout the various stages of his life. “The decree is aimed at building cadres capable of adapting and facing the challenges of the age with science and knowledge,” said Albloushi.

He added: 'We at the Sharjah Tatweer Forum will work to implement the vision of HH the Ruler of Sharjah and his wife Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi to develop the talents and abilities of young people and push them to work continuously, bringing out the best in them to complement the work of other subsidiaries of the Rubu’ Qarn Foundation.”

For her part, Salha Obeid Ghabesh, Director-General of the Cultural and Media Office at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, pointed out that the collaboration between the Office and other subsidiaries of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs with Rubu’ Qarn Foundation had always been fruitful, given the convergence of both entities, which implement joint programmes to serve members of the community, particularly younger ones.

She said the Emiri decree organising Rubu' Qarn Foundation for Creating Future Leaders and Innovators complements this collaboration in implementing events and programmes targeted at the family with all its members.

Aysha Ali Al Kaabi, acting Director of Sharjah Children Centres (SCC), expressed confidence that the decree would form a milestone in sustainable development and a strong incentive for the institutions concerned to play their role in accordance with an integrated strategic vision to sharpen skills and abilities and instil the spirit of innovation among young generations. 

“Rubu’ Qarn Foundation will support the development and construction process through aligning the roles of its subsidiaries, namely the Sharjah Children Centres, Sharjah Youth, Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah and Sharjah Tatweer Forum, and achieving harmony between these entities as they work to improve the capabilities of their target audiences and realise the vision of the UAE’s wise leadership empowering young generations,” said the acting Director of Sharjah Children Centres.

It is noteworthy that HH Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi issued an administrative decree to establish Rubu' Qarn Foundation for Creating Future Leaders and Innovators in September 2016. 

The initiative was designed to start a journey of innovation and leadership for young Emirati generations whose growth and intellectual development stems from the values and norms derived from their national identity - a culture rich in Arabic and Islamic values and global humanitarian kinship.

The four departments and entities that operate under the Foundation target children and youth, starting with six-year-olds, up until 25 years of their lives - hence the phrase ‘Rubu’ Qarn’ (quarter of a century in English) in the title. They collaborate to develop the talents of children in Sharjah and the UAE, building their capabilities through an array of programmes. The initiative is responsible for identifying a strategic unified plan for the four entities, with the aim of stimulating their efforts ascertaining what benefits them, their country and the international community.

The Rubu’ Qarn Foundation for Creating leaders and Innovators is a first-of-its-kind activity at the local and regional level that seeks to build and develop generations over 25 years. It is being regarded as particularly significant because it does not focus on any one specific area, but instead develops a wide range of skills and capabilities that contribute to building knowledge-based generations who enjoy creating, shaping and leading the future.