Dr. Tayeb A. Kamali is the first UAE National to be selected as one of the ten leading international figures in science, the environment and exploration to judge the recently launched Rolex Awards for Enterprise: Young Laureates Programme.
For nearly two decades Dr Kamali (53) has spearheaded education, training and applied technology programmes in the United Arab Emirates and Middle East region, nurturing young UAE nationals and other students and encouraging them to “build on their dreamsâ€. As the Vice Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) and Group Chief Executive of Centre of Excellence for Applied Research & Training (CERT), Dr Kamali was selected as a juror because of his commitment to providing young adults with the skills and ability to innovate and to compete in the global market.
The Rolex Awards have been instituted to honour men and women between the ages of 18 and 30 with inventive ideas to solve tomorrow’s challenges in science and health, applied technology, exploration, the environment and cultural preservation. Award winners will each receive a US$50,000 cash prize to enable them to pursue an original project. Each Young Laureate will also gain access to the Rolex Awards’ international network of scientists, educators and explorers who will help them to develop their leadership skills and professional expertise.
Speaking at his appointment as a member of the jury, Dr. Tayeb A. Kamali said: “I am honored to be on the judging panel of the Young Laureate Program. This award is a tribute to the potential of youth. As a society, we must empower our youth with the ability to succeed and encourage them to consistently strive to improve the world in which they live.â€
The inaugural jury for the Young Laureates Programme will meet at Rolex headquarters in Geneva in early March 2010 to select the five budding pioneers from a pool of nearly 200 high-caliber applicants from around the world. The winners will be announced in April 2010.
Rolex Awards for Enterprise
The Rolex Awards for Enterprise was established in 1976 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Oyster chronometer, the world’s first waterproof watch. The Awards were created to encourage individuals to take on major challenges to benefit humankind and the environment. Since 1976, 110 Awards for Enterprise have been presented to Laureates and Associate Laureates from 40 countries, implementing projects in more than 60 countries.
Rolex Philanthropy
Rolex’s other global philanthropic programme, the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative, also reflects an ongoing commitment to promoting excellence in the next generation. The Arts Initiative brings together emerging artists with recognized masters for a year of one-to-one collaboration in music, dance, literature, theatre, film and the visual arts.
Both the Arts Initiative and the Young Laureates Programme provide the gift of time to exceptional young people at a key moment in their professional lives. Through Rolex’s support, these promising individuals are able to take their work to a new level and contribute to their surrounding communities and the wider world.
For more information visit rolexawards.com.
