About Dubai Cares

In February 2016, Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy was sworn in as Minister of State for International Cooperation, in the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Additionally, she holds responsibility within the Ministry, for the UAE’s bilateral relations with Sub Saharan African countries, India, Pakistan and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Since her first ministerial appointment in February 2008, Her Excellency has and continues to manage, the International Affairs Office of the UAE Prime Minister, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

In November 2013, as Managing Director of Dubai’s World Expo 2020 bid, Her Excellency oversaw a historic success and endorsement from a majority of the 168 member states of the Bureau International des Expositions, the intergovernmental organisation responsible for World Expos. Dubai Expo 2020 will be the first to be held in the MENASA (Middle East, North Africa and South Asia region). Her Excellency holds the position of Managing Director of the Dubai Expo 2020 Higher Committee as well as Director General of the Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau, in preparation for the upcoming mega event.

Her Excellency is Chairperson of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority, which merged the former Emirates Competitiveness Council and the National Bureau of Statistics in 2015, to drive the UAE’s global competitiveness.

Her Excellency completed her undergraduate degree at Tufts University, earning a BA in International Relations and French, followed by an MA from Harvard University. Prior to her current position as Minister of State, Her Excellency served as Commercial Attaché, and subsequently Deputy Chief, of the UAE Embassy to the United States of America, in Washington DC.

HE Dr. Tariq Al Gurg was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Cares in 2009 and as Vice-Chairman in July 2021.

Al Gurg has been a primary driver behind the organization’s success. He has enabled Dubai Cares to contribute to the evidence-base in education, leverage funding and invest in strategic relationships and programs that support the global education agenda. His focus has been to develop Dubai Cares as a recognized best-case practitioner and a global leader in education program design and innovation that is grounded in a philosophy of continuous monitoring and evaluation and rigorous research.

Globally, Al Gurg has been a key champion of Education in Emergencies, as well as a vocal advocate for an increased focus on youth empowerment. He is a founding member of the High-Level Steering Group of ‘Education Cannot Wait’ – a global fund for education in emergencies, as well as Generation Unlimited, UNICEF’s flagship youth initiative, where he also sits on its Board of Trustees and Global Leadership Council. Al Gurg is also a high-level Champion of the World Economic Forum’s Reskilling Revolution, a member of the advisory board of UNESCO’s Futures of Education Commission, as well as the Regional Champion of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) in the Middle East. Locally, Al Gurg is a Co-chair of the Global Council on SDG 4, the Commissioner General of the Dubai Cares pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai and a member of the UAE Committee for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid headed by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC).

Since 2009, Al Gurg has been instrumental in a number of key task forces and leadership circles in the global education sector with his contributions having a far-reaching impact. His efforts have been commended by a number of key entities during this period. He was recognized in 2019 as a “Change-maker” by Save the Children during the celebration of their centennial anniversary. In the same year, Al Gurg was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) Degree from Mangalayatan University in Aligarh, India. Al Gurg was also recognized by UNESCO in 2017 and by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) in 2016. 

Al Gurg’s past experience includes 12 years at various senior management positions within the consumer and corporate banking at National Bank of Dubai (Currently known as Emirates NBD). He is a Founding Board Member and Deputy Chairman of the UAE Genetic Diseases Association (UAE GDA). He was also a member of the UAE’s National Anti-Money Laundering Committee, chaired by the Governor of the UAE Central Bank. 

H.E. Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Former Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), is responsible for a wide spectrum of education in Dubai’s private sector, spanning early learning, school, and higher education and training Institutes.

H.E. Dr. Abdulla has the distinction of holding key positions across the United Arab Emirates, as well as being a Board member of the National Qualifications Authority, of the UAE Federal Government. He is a member of the university council at UAE University. H.E. Dr. Abdulla serves on the board of trustees for Dubai Future Foundation and Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences. He has also been nominated as a member of the Higher Committee for Protection of the Rights of People with Disabilities in the Emirate of Dubai, and is a board member of Dubai Cares.

Previously, H.E. Dr. Abdulla held positions in various government sectors, including: Vice Chairman and Secretary General, Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Distinguished Academic Performance; Chairman of the Dubai Government’s Human Resources Committee, which was set up as the link between human resources programmes and initiatives and Dubai’s goals and strategic priorities; Board member, Dubai Knowledge Fund, which seeks to effectively participate in developing Dubai’s knowledge capital through profitably managing funds. He was also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Education 2010.

Prior to the formation of KHDA, H.E. Dr. Abdulla held the post of CEO of Dubai Knowledge Village, which ushered in the International Branch Campus, with a remit to diversify the educational landscape in Dubai. Before that, H.E. Dr. Abdulla headed the Research Unit at Dubai Internet City and began his career working as a software engineer in the United States and France.

H.E. Dr. Abdulla holds a PhD in computer engineering from the University of South Carolina.

Mr. Sami Ahmed Dhaen AlQamzi has held several key leadership positions throughout his recognized career. From September 2008 until September 2021, he was appointed as the Director General of the Dubai Department of Economic Development. Simultaneously, from November 2012 to 2020, he took on the role of Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI).

Prior to these appointments, Mr. AlQamzi served as the Director General of the Department of Finance from 2005 to 2008, collaborating directly with the Ruler's Court and Executive Council of Dubai to formulate strategies aligning with the economic and financial objectives of the Emirates.

Commencing his professional journey with the Central Military Command of the UAE in 1986, Mr. AlQamzi held a financial administrative role until 1998. He then joined Al Bayan Press as Finance Manager, eventually becoming the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Dubai Media Incorporated in 2003. In 2004, he assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Al Bayan Press, playing a focal role in the re-branding of the Al Bayan newspaper until 2005.

Mr. AlQamzi is renowned for his extensive involvement in business and industry, exemplified by his current board memberships. He currently serves as a Board Member of Central Bank of the UAE, Dubai Cares, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, and Chairman of the Human Resources Committee at the Central Bank of the UAE. Additionally, holds the position of Chairman and Board Member at the Dubai Sports Council.

His past board memberships and affiliations include roles such as Member at the Executive Council of Dubai, Strategic Affairs Council, at the Board of Trustee member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, Board Member - Dubai Real Estate Corporation, Member in the National Industrial Coordination Council, Member in the UAE Soft Power Council, Member in the Supreme Committee for the Rights of Persons with Disability in Dubai, Vice Chairman Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre, Member Dubai Free Zones Council, Board Member - Zayed University, Board Member - Securities & Commodities Authority, Board Member - Union National Bank, Board Member - International Humanitarian City, Deputy Chairman - Mohammad Bin Rashid Housing Establishment, and Vice Chairman for the Economic Sector Development Committee served under the guidance of H.H Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed AlMaktoum. 

Presently, Mr. Sami AlQamzi serves as Owner and Chairman of the Board at SD Investment, a distinguished firm with diversified interests spanning the medical, real estate, contracting and development, as well as the food and beverage sectors.

Mr. AlQamzi graduated in Economics and Accounting from the University of the Emirates in 1985, showcasing his commitment to continuous professional development through his active participation in various training sessions, leadership programs, and conferences. This commitment further enhances his extensive practical experience, solidifying his position as a visionary leader making significant contributions throughout his professional journey.

His Excellency Sultan Alshamsi is the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for International Development Affairs, with over 25 years of experience in governmental organizations and private sector.

HE Alshamsi has been instrumental in the evolution of UAE foreign assistance, establishing the UAE Office for the Coordination of Foreign Aid in 2009; and has served in leadership roles in UAE international development ever since.

HE Alshamsi currently serves on various local and international boards related to humanitarian assistance, regional stabilization (to counter violent extremism), recovery, women empowerment, education and water conservation.

Previously, HE Alshamsi served in various roles in UAE private and public sector.

HE Alshamsi is a graduate of Management Information Systems (MIS) from the UAE University, and holds Master of Business Administration/Information Management from the University of Southern Queensland in Australia.