Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation
A Dubai-based philanthropic foundation advancing knowledge, education, research, innovation and human development in the Arab world and beyond.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation is a Dubai-based philanthropic organization established on May 19, 2007, by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai. The foundation was created to address what its founder described as a knowledge gap between the Arab region and more developed knowledge economies. Its stated ambitions include improving education and research, expanding access to information, developing young leaders, encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation, and supporting employment and human-capital development. The organization began under the name Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation and later adopted the Knowledge Foundation name, reflecting its increasingly explicit focus on knowledge production and dissemination. Rather than operating as a consumer-facing product brand, it functions as a grant-making, program-delivery and partnership platform. Its work has included educational initiatives, research and scholarship programs, publishing and translation support, knowledge-access platforms, conferences, awards, cultural exhibitions and humanitarian assistance. A major strand of the foundation's work has been collaboration with international institutions. In 2008, it partnered with the United Nations Development Programme to establish the Arab Knowledge Project, later known as the Knowledge Project. The partnership was renewed in 2019 to support knowledge-based development and sustainable development across Arab states and internationally. The foundation has also developed relationships with universities, including Harvard University and Columbia University, to provide fellows with academic access and professional opportunities. In 2015, it launched the Oxford–Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Graduate Scholarship in collaboration with the University of Oxford, supporting Arab postgraduate students and researchers. The foundation has promoted literacy and publishing through book donations, support for children's-book authors, translation initiatives and book-fair activity. Its digital strategy became particularly visible in 2020, when it introduced the Digital Knowledge Hub. The platform was designed to support self-directed learning and broaden access to books, magazines, children's stories, summaries, audiobooks and videos in digital form. Its broader public profile is also shaped by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award, introduced in 2014. The award recognizes contributions to knowledge creation, dissemination and innovation and has honored figures from technology, science, media and philanthropy. The foundation has additionally supported the Nobel Museum, youth and engineering events, and emergency relief, including assistance following floods in Pakistan. The organization is governed and managed within Dubai's public and philanthropic ecosystem. Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum served as chairman as of 2012, while Sultan Ali Rashid Lootah was identified as chief executive at that time. Jamal bin Huwaireb is identified as the foundation's chief executive in the referenced material. Earlier leadership included Rima Khalaf, who served as chief executive from 2008 to 2009. The foundation's current identity centers on connecting philanthropy with knowledge infrastructure: education, research, digital access, talent development and international cooperation.
History
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation was established on May 19, 2007, in Dubai by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Its original mission was to use philanthropy to narrow the knowledge and educational gap between the Arab region and developed countries. The foundation's remit included education, scientific research, leadership development, job creation and the strengthening of human capabilities. It was initially known as the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation and later adopted the Knowledge Foundation name as knowledge creation, access and dissemination became central to its institutional identity. In its early years, the foundation combined direct educational assistance with large-scale partnerships. In 2008, it worked with the United Nations Development Programme to establish the Arab Knowledge Project, an initiative examining knowledge production, education and development across Arab societies. The project subsequently became known as the Knowledge Project. The foundation also supported literacy and publishing by pledging books for children in the Arab world, providing grants to children's-book writers and encouraging translation of literary works into Arabic. By 2009, it was involved in preparations for a book fair and had signed memorandums of understanding with 28 universities, giving foundation fellows opportunities to access prominent academic institutions. The organization broadened its activities during the following decade. It provided assistance after floods in Pakistan in 2010 and participated in youth and engineering activities, including a young engineers conference in Kuwait in 2013. These efforts reflected a model that linked knowledge philanthropy with social development and humanitarian engagement. In 2014, the foundation introduced the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award, creating an international platform for recognizing achievements in knowledge, science, technology and innovation. The inaugural recipients were Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Jimmy Wales. In 2015, the foundation established the Nobel Museum to present the contributions of Nobel Prize winners to a wider public. It also launched the Oxford–Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Graduate Scholarship with the University of Oxford. The program was intended to help Arab postgraduate students study at Oxford while supporting researchers and strengthening their ability to achieve advanced academic and scientific standing. The foundation's partnership with UNDP was renewed in 2019. The renewed cooperation placed greater emphasis on sustainable development in Arab states and on the role of knowledge in development worldwide. In 2020, on the occasion of the United Nations International Day of Education, the foundation launched the Digital Knowledge Hub. This platform expanded the organization's role from funding and convening to providing direct digital access to educational and cultural content, including books, magazines, children's stories, summaries, audiobooks and videos. Leadership has changed over time. Rima Khalaf served as chief executive from 2008 to 2009. Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was identified as chairman and Sultan Ali Rashid Lootah as chief executive as of 2012. Jamal bin Huwaireb is identified in the available reference material as the organization's chief executive. Across these phases, the foundation has remained focused on building knowledge infrastructure through scholarships, research, publishing, translation, digital access, awards, cultural programs and international partnerships.
- 2020
Digital Knowledge Hub launched
[1]The foundation launched a digital platform for self-directed education and access to a large collection of digital materials.
- 2015
Oxford graduate scholarship launched
[1]The foundation and Oxford introduced a graduate scholarship for Arab students and researchers.
- 2014
Knowledge Award introduced
[1]The foundation established the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award.
- 2008
Arab Knowledge Project created
[1]The foundation partnered with UNDP to create the Arab Knowledge Project, later renamed the Knowledge Project.
- 2007
Foundation established
[1]Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum established the foundation in Dubai to advance education, research, knowledge dissemination, leadership and employment in the Arab region.
Products and positioning
A leading Arab philanthropic institution focused on knowledge-based development, education, research, innovation and human-capital formation.
Research and development initiative · 2008
Knowledge Project
A foundation–UNDP initiative focused on knowledge societies, education, development and the conditions needed for Arab states to improve knowledge production and use. Established in 2008 as the Arab Knowledge Project, it later adopted the Knowledge Project name and became a central international research and policy platform associated with the foundation.
Digital learning platform · 2020
Digital Knowledge Hub
An online platform launched to facilitate self-education and make educational and cultural content more accessible. Its described collection includes books, magazines, children's stories, summaries, audiobooks and videos, positioning it as a digital extension of the foundation's literacy and knowledge-access work.
Scholarship program · 2015
Oxford–Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Graduate Scholarship
A scholarship program created with the University of Oxford to enable Arab postgraduate students to study at Oxford. The initiative also supports researchers and seeks to strengthen the academic and scientific capabilities of participants.
Knowledge and innovation award · 2014
Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award
An international award recognizing notable contributions to knowledge, science, technology, innovation and related fields. Its inaugural recipients were Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Jimmy Wales, and later recipients included Hiroshi Ishiguro, Ahmad Alshugairi, Hiroshi Komiyama and Melinda Gates.
Educational exhibition · 2015
Nobel Museum
A cultural and educational initiative established to highlight the work and contributions of Nobel Prize winners and to present their achievements to public audiences.
Marketing campaigns
- 2020Digital Knowledge Hub
United Arab Emirates · Arab world · Global
A digital education and reading initiative launched to expand access to knowledge resources and support independent learning.
- 2010Pakistan flood relief
Pakistan
The foundation provided assistance following flooding in Pakistan.
- 2008Arab Knowledge Project
Arab states · Global
A research and development partnership with UNDP examining knowledge, education and development across the Arab region.
Outcome. The initiative continued under the name Knowledge Project and became a long-term platform for knowledge-based development.
- 2008Children's books and publishing support
Arab world
The foundation pledged books for children and grants for writers of children's literature, complementing its wider literacy and publishing agenda.
Brand decisions
2020
Launch a digital knowledge platformProduct launchBackground
The foundation sought to widen access to educational and cultural resources and support self-directed learning.
Action taken
It introduced the Digital Knowledge Hub as an online platform for reading, downloading and viewing digital materials.
Aftermath
The launch expanded the foundation's direct digital delivery of educational content.
2019
Renew partnership with UNDPStrategyBackground
The earlier Arab Knowledge Project partnership had become a central vehicle for studying and strengthening knowledge development in Arab states.
Action taken
The foundation and UNDP renewed their cooperation under the Knowledge Project.
Aftermath
The renewed partnership broadened the initiative's emphasis toward sustainable development in Arab states and internationally.
2007
Adopt knowledge-based philanthropy as the foundation's core strategyStrategyBackground
The foundation was created to address educational and knowledge gaps in the Arab region and to support research, leadership, employment and human development.
Action taken
It established programs and partnerships spanning education, research, publishing, translation, entrepreneurship, innovation and knowledge access.
Aftermath
The organization later changed its name to the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, reinforcing its knowledge-centered identity.
Sources2 sources
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