Awqaf Dubai commences AED86 million ‘Talent Endowment’ project in collaboration with Emirates Association for the Talent

The Endowment and Minors’ Trust Foundation in Dubai (Awqaf Dubai) has announced the commencement of the ‘Talent Endowment’ project in collaboration with Emirates Association for the Talent The permanent endowment is designed to support gifted UAE citizens and nurture national competencies.

The project is being developed on land granted by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, reflecting His Highness’s continuous support for endowment initiatives and humanitarian projects in the country.

The endowment is an integrated investment project valued at approximately AED86.2 million. Construction costs are estimated at AED60 million for a building spanning 125,000 square feet. The development, located in the Al Raffa area, features a ground floor and six additional levels housing 66 residential units, retail shops, and parking facilities. The total land area is 20,192 square feet, valued at AED26.2 million.

Awqaf Dubai is responsible for the construction and management of the project, which is officially registered as the ‘Talent Care Endowment’. Both the building and the land are designated as a permanent endowment, with proceeds dedicated to supporting the strategic objectives of the Association.

During a visit by a delegation from the Association to the headquarters of Awqaf Dubai, officials reviewed the engineering designs, work progress, and executive plans of the project.

His Excellency Ali Al Mutawa, Secretary-General of Awqaf Dubai, said the project represents a strategic step towards enhancing support for gifted Emiratis and providing financial resources for community service. He added that the initiative will support efforts to foster innovation among talented youth, noting that Awqaf Dubai is proud of its partnership with the Emirates Association in advancing this national endeavour.

Al Mutawa explained that the land granted by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum reflects the leadership’s vision for long-term community endowment projects. He pointed out that Awqaf Dubai will oversee all implementation phases to ensure completion within the specified timeframe.

His Excellency Mirza Al Sayegh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Emirates Association for the Talent, highlighted that cooperation with Awqaf Dubai is a strategic move to develop the care system for gifted people in the UAE. He noted that the project, scheduled for completion within two years, is a primary pillar for the Association’s financial sustainability, enabling the expansion of its future programmes.

Al Sayegh added that the project will create an integrated platform that nurtures talent and helps translate their potential into globally recognised models of excellence.

His Excellency Ahmed Al Dabani Al Nuaimi, Secretary-General of Emirates Association for the Talent, said Emirati talent is a vital national asset that plays an increasingly important role in modern diplomacy, helping share the UAE’s success story with the world. He noted that the initiative reflects the leadership’s vision of investing in people, grounded in a firm belief that building national capabilities is fundamental to sustainable development and to strengthening the UAE’s global standing.

The project embodies an advanced model of effective national partnerships between institutions, contributing to a comprehensive ecosystem for talent development.