In strategic partnership with PureHealth subsidiary Daman - the National Health Insurance Company

 The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) and the National Health Insurance Company - Daman, part of the PureHealth Group - the UAE's largest integrated healthcare platform, have launched the first edition of the UAEU-Daman Student Research Programme.

The strategic partnership between both entities is aligned with their shared vision to empower youth and provide them with scientific research skills to enhance their role in supporting strategic national directives.

Prof. Ahmed Ali Murad, Associate Provost for Research at UAEU, said: "We are pleased with this multi-faceted research partnership with Daman, which will contribute significantly to building a generation of young people who have scientific research skills and who will contribute to the development momentum witnessed in the UAE in all fields. This in turn will enhance the scientific nature of university students as they contribute to finding innovative solutions to societal challenges, and therefore this programme contributes to strengthening the national identity of university students by linking it to strategic national priorities."

Prof. Murad added that the special programme aims to highlight the role of university students in supporting strategic national directives through scientific research, which is an important tool for the future, encouraging students to plan properly through scientific and innovative solutions based on field research results and data.

He said that the three student projects will involve four students on each project, with the participation of researchers from the College of Science, the College of Engineering, and the College of Medicine and Health Sciences. The research projects focus on the fields of public health, biodiversity, sustainability, water, and energy, as these fields are an essential part of the research priorities of the UAEU Research and Innovation Strategy 2023-2026.

Naser Al Mansoori, Senior Vice President Corporate Affairs and Communications at the National Health Insurance Company - Daman, said: "Our support for this programme is part of Daman's continuous commitment to investing in future generations and is in line with our strategy to support the UAE's education sector as one of the main factors in enhancing sustainable growth, supporting the national economy, and developing human resources. The programme seeks to develop scientific research skills among students to enable them to find innovative solutions to assorted challenges in various fields and bring about positive change, in addition to supporting the development process of the UAE. In this way, it helps to open up new and promising prospects and opportunities by preparing students to become active and influential members of society who contribute to making discoveries and innovations that will enhance the standing of the UAE."

Daman is part of PureHealth's comprehensive ecosystem which includes SEHA, the biggest healthcare network, Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre, Rafed - the UAE's largest healthcare procurement company, The Medical Office - Overseeing Sheikh Khalifa Hospitals and other healthcare facilities, Pure Lab - which operates the largest network of laboratories in the region, among others.

Rashid Al Qubaisi, Group Chief Corporate Officer at PureHealth, said: "The strategic partnership between PureHealth subsidiary Daman and the UAE University is in line with our Group's commitment to support and upskill national capabilities, especially among the youth, and ensure they are backed with the tools and means to become an influential force towards achieving the vision of the UAE's leadership and directives. PureHealth is committed to equipping the national human capital in the UAE with a strong emphasis on developing the skills of UAE nationals in the country to help them become pioneers and future creators. This contributes to our goal of helping people live longer, healthier, happier, and fuller lives. From PureHealth, we look forward to collaborating with the UAEU on this student research programme and providing professional development pathways that will support efforts in future-proofing UAE talent in the healthcare and related sector."