Varkey Foundation has announced its support to the Dubai Awqaf & Endowment vision announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, through the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Centre for Endowment Consultancy (MBRGCEC), to meet the Arab world’s educational needs.

The Varkey Foundation will build on its existing programmes to strengthen the teaching profession through a ‘Quality Education’ endowment which will include the prestigious Global Education & Skills Forum (GESF) and the US$1 million Global Teacher Prize, to further build on the capacity of teachers in the Arab world.

In addition, the Varkey Foundation Challenge Fund which was announced at GESF last month, will support a small number of early-stage educational initiatives in their endeavours including a project that helps displaced Syrian refugee children receive an education.

Sunny Varkey, Founder & Trustee of Varkey Foundation, said: "It is a great honour to join the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Centre for Endowment Consultancy, an initiative of the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives, and pledge our support to transform Awqaf and Endowments into one of the most prominent incentives for development in the entire world.

"The Varkey Foundation is dedicated to creating a legacy through philanthropy -together with the MBRGCEC, we can make a great difference. In order to confront prejudices, intolerances, conflicts and unprecedented environmental challenges, we need to join forces to improve access to quality education worldwide. The announcement of the global Awqaf and Endowment initiative by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has offered a strong platform for the private sector to support the education fraternity effectively.

"We hope our work with the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Centre for Endowment Consultancy will continue to highlight the role of the teacher and also help support programmes in need through this new ‘Quality Education’ endowment," added Sunny Varkey.

The Varkey Foundation has prominently advocated the teacher training agenda on a global level by gathering educators, policy makers, heads of states, academicians, celebrities and leaders from the public, private and social sectors seeking solutions to achieving education, equity and employment for all.

Dr. Hamad Al Hammadi, Secretary General of Mohammed bin Rashid Global Centre for Endowment Consultancy, said: "The Varkey Foundation has successfully raised the profile of the teacher on an international level through its various initiatives. We are delighted that the foundation is supporting the ‘Quality Education’ endowment by pledging its resources annually to improving the status of the teaching profession.

"One of the four strategic themes of the MBRGCEC is that Dubai becomes a source of global best practices for Awqaf and Endowments. Through the support of Varkey Foundation which has demonstrated its expertise in taking local learnings to global best practices, we are confident that the ‘Quality Education’ endowment will see optimal use to cater to the most pressing educational needs of the region."

Source:WAM