Decree No. (36) of 2015

Establishing the

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award[1]

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We, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai,

After perusal of:

Law No. (5) of 2008 Establishing the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation;

The recommendations included in the Final Communiqué of the First Knowledge Conference held in the Emirate of Dubai from 7 to 9 December 2014; and

With a view to acknowledging the work of organisations and individuals in the fields of knowledge; and to encouraging innovation and creativity in developing, transferring, and disseminating knowledge around the world,

Do hereby issue this Decree.

Definitions

Article (1)

The following words and expressions, wherever mentioned in this Decree, will have the meaning indicated opposite each of them unless the context implies otherwise:

Emirate:

The Emirate of Dubai.

Ruler:

His Highness the Ruler of Dubai.

Government:

The Government of Dubai.

MBRF:

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation.

Chairman:

The chairman of the board of directors of the MBRF.

Award:

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award.

Board of Trustees:

The board of trustees of the Award.

Secretary General:

The secretary general of the Award.

Establishment of the Award

Article (2)

a.         Pursuant to this Decree, an award named the “Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award” is established within the MBRF.

b.          The Award will be regulated and managed in accordance with the provisions of this Decree and with the charter approved by the Chairman.

Objectives of the Award

Article (3)

The Award will have the following objectives:

1.       to recognise individuals with distinguished contributions to the various fields of knowledge;

2.       to motivate individuals and public and private entities, within and outside of the Emirate, towards innovation and creativity, and to lay  the foundations of knowledge;

3.       to contribute to building a knowledge-based economy at the local, regional, and international levels; and

4.       to instil a culture of knowledge, and preserve intellectual and innovative achievements.

Frequency of the Award

Article (4)

The Award will be granted annually in the month of December. The MBRF will supervise the procedures for granting the Award to winners.

Management of the Award

Article (5)

a.         The Award will be managed by a Board of Trustees comprised of a chairman, a vice chairman, and a number of members who are experienced and specialised in the academic and knowledge fields. Members of the Board of Trustees will be appointed pursuant to a decree of the Ruler for a renewable term of three (3) years.

b.          The Board of Trustees will convene at the invitation of the chairman, or the vice chairman if the chairman is absent, at least once every six (6) months and where necessary. Meetings of the Board of Trustees will be valid if attended by the majority of its members provided that its chairman or vice chairman is in attendance.

c.          The Board of Trustees will pass its resolutions by majority vote of attending members, and in the event of a tie, the chair of the meeting will have a casting vote. Resolutions of the Board of Trustees will be recorded in minutes of meetings signed by the chair of the meeting and attending members.

Functions of the Board of Trustees

Article (6)

The Board of Trustees will have the duties and powers to:

1.       approve the general policy and annual plans of the Award in light of its  objectives;

2.       approve the annual budget and final accounts of the Award, and submit the same to the competent entities in the Emirate for final approval;

3.       approve the bylaws required to regulate the work of the Award, and submit the same to the Chairman for final approval;

4.       approve the criteria and rules based on which the Award in its various categories is granted to winners, and submit these to the Chairman for final approval;

5.       set the dates and  occasions for granting the Award;

6.       form advisory committees, juries, and specialised work teams to meet the requirements of the Award;

7.       prepare a list of nominees for the Award, and submit the same to the Ruler for approval; and

8.       perform any other duties required for the achievement of the objectives of the Award.

Secretary General of the Award

Article (7)

a.         A Secretary General will be appointed to the Award from amongst the members of the Board of Trustees pursuant to a resolution of the Chairman.

b.          The Secretary General will have the duties and powers to:

1.       propose the general policy and annual plans of the Award, and submit the same to the Board of Trustees for approval;

2.       prepare the draft annual budget and final accounts of the Award, and submit these to the Board of Trustees for approval;

3.       propose the bylaws required to regulate the work of the Award, and submit the same to the Board of Trustees for approval;

4.       propose the criteria and rules for selection of the winners of the Award in its various categories, and submit the same to the Board of Trustees for approval;

5.       represent the Award in its relations with third parties; and

6.       perform any other duties assigned to him by the Chairman or the Board of Trustees.

Granting of the Award

Article (8)

The Award will be granted by a resolution of the Ruler.

Entitlement to the Award

Article (9)

The Award may be granted to individuals or public or private entities that satisfy the entitlement requirements. The Award may be granted to the same individual or entity that has been granted the Award at a previous session, provided that the individual or entity satisfies the Award entitlement requirements.

Financial Resources of the Award

Article (10)

The financial resources of the Award will consist of:

1.       funds allocated to it by the Government; and

2.       donations, grants, and sponsorships acceptable to the Chairman.

Administrative and Technical Support

Article (11)

The MBRF will provide administrative and technical support to the Award, and will supervise the organisation of Award ceremonies.

Issuing Implementing Resolutions

Article (12)

The Chairman will issue the charter of the Award and the resolutions required for implementation of the provisions of this Decree.

Commencement and Publication

Article (13)

This Decree comes into force on the day on which it is issued, and will be published in the Official Gazette.

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Ruler of Dubai

Issued in Dubai on 26 November 2015

Corresponding to 14 Safar 1437 A.H.



©2016 The Supreme Legislation Committee in the Emirate of Dubai

[1]Every effort has been made to produce an accurate and complete English version of this legislation. However, for the purpose of its interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text will prevail.