Julphar has signed an agreement with the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (Aurak) for the provision of five student scholarships and Dh100,000 ($27,229) in annual financial support for the facility’s biotechnology laboratory.

RAK-based Julphar, a leader in the production and distribution of pharmaceutical products in over 50 countries, has entered into the alliance which is designed to promote areas of scientific research and support the growth of a highly skilled local workforce within the pharmaceutical sector, said a statement.

Saud Mussbah Al Naimi, Julphar's director of business affairs, and Professor Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim, vice chancellor of Aurak, signed the agreement in the presence of a large number of officials from both sides.

'We are very proud to enter into such a partnership, which reflects the vision of Sheikh Saud bin Saqar Al Qassimi, member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of RAK that focuses on developing the emirate in all areas and honing the skills of the UAE national people,' Al Naimi said.

'The alliance is also part of the strategy adopted by Sheikh Faisal bin Saqr Al Qasimi, chairman of Julphar board of directors, to encourage UAE students to opt for technical and scientific studies in order to build skills in this area towards a better future for our society,” he added.

The annual financial support will be invested in state-of-the-art equipment for the biotechnology laboratory and scholarships will be awarded to students who show significant promise for the 2012 academic year, the statement said. – TradeArabia News Service