About the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation
The Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation (AGF) aims to empower Emirati and Arab youth to thrive and contribute to the sustainable development of the region through innovative education solutions and authentic partnerships. As one of the largest privately funded philanthropic foundations in the Arab region, AGF supports the provision of high-quality technology-based education opportunities and the development of relevant skills for a successful transition into higher education and the labor market.
Founded in 2015, AGF is dedicated to realizing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 4, 8, and 17, which call for inclusive and equitable quality education that leads to improved standards of living for all and the strengthening of global partnerships. To make higher education in the Arab region more inclusive, relevant, and solution-based, AGF creates strategic partnerships with international organizations, governments, NGOs, and universities to empower youth and create a lasting impact in the region.
AGF delivers high-quality upskilling and reskilling programs focused on future-facing skills. The Foundation incorporates the opinions of youth into the planning, development, and implementation of its programs, leading to a positive impact and long-term success. To date, AGF has benefited more than 120,000 youth and is targeting 200,000 by 2025.
Based in the United Arab Emirates, AGF has a strong and impactful presence in several Arab countries and around the world. The board of trustees is chaired by H.E. Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, son of respected business leader Abdulla Ahmad Al Ghurair, the founder of the Foundation.
"Seeking an education is not only about personal achievement but also our civic and religious responsibility as Arabs and Muslims. I hope this foundation will help deserving young Arabs fulfil their education quest and that they, in turn, will help others."
– Mr. Abdulla Ahmad Al Ghurair, Founder of AGF
Our founder
Mr. Abdulla Ahmad Al Ghurair is a leading Emirati businessman and philanthropist. As a commitment to his faith, he was one of the first supporters of the development of the educational sector in the UAE.
Beginning in the early sixties, he built several schools, including the first school in the remote area of Masafi, to provide students with access to quality education.
Mr. Al Ghurair also built a model school in Dubai, which today is one of the leading public schools in the UAE.
He announced the establishment of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation (AGF) in 2015 as a non-profit, philanthropic organization.
The Foundation is the Al Ghurair family’s legacy of service, and it is committed to providing thousands of educational opportunities to students across the Arab region in its first ten years.
Through a pledge of one-third of his personal wealth, AED 4.2 billion, the AGF seeks to support generations of Emirati and Arab youth by providing them the skills they need to become the future leaders of the region, contributing to growth and development in their communities. His contribution to philanthropy in the Arab region was recognized in 2016 when he was appointed the first Goodwill Ambassador for education in the Arab world by the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Science Organization (ALECSO).
Organized by:
Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation
Produced by:
Times Higher Education
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