Abu Dhabi University (ADU) in collaboration with the Zakat Fund and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) has initiated a fundraising campaign to raise Dh15 million ($4.08 million) to provide education opportunities for 300 students.

The ADU move is part of its aspirations to make world-class education more accessible and positively impact the community, said a senior official.

"While ADU has become highly reputed for its global standards and innovative programs, education does not only come in the form of academic degrees. Generosity is also a lesson that teaches our community that today’s contributions impact tomorrow’s innovators. Our Ramadan campaign gives donors the chance to not only touch lives, but also shape the future," said the chancellor Dr Nabil Ibrahim.

"It is not just a one-way gift to the students because ADU graduates are also giving back to society as ambassadors of change - making a positive difference in the world by harnessingtheir leadership, social responsibility, skills and contributing to national prosperity at the forefront of their chosen career fields," he added.

Under the theme “Our Youth Our Responsibility, Our Zakat Our Immunity”, ADU and its partners will facilitate contributions in accordance with Zakat.

This marks the fourth year in which Abu Dhabi University and Zakat Fund are collaborating to raise funds and this year, ADIB has joined the fundraising initiative. The campaign will extend throughout the Holy Month, mobilizing contributions until the fundraising target is achieved, he added.

According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation & Development (OECD), the UAE is one of the world’s most generous countries in assisting those in need, and this charitable spirit will be reflected in the Ramadan contributions for the year.

Abdullah Al Muhairi, the secretary general of the Zakat Fund, said the collaboration with Abu Dhabi University strives to be a stimulus for academic and social improvements, by raising awareness of the significance of Zakat.

“The Zakat Fund aspires to use generosity as a bridge to close the gap between the privileged and the under-privileged, through broad-based collaborations with a vast array of partners. This is in line with the spirit of social responsibility that has been advocated by our nation’s leadership,” he added

Al Muhairi said in order to encourage the Ramadan spirit of generosity, the Zakat Fund has made its donation channels as accessible and convenient as possible.

Over the years, more than 50 services have been launched to ease the calculation and contribution of Zakat, while also easing the administrative process and accelerating the uplifting of beneficiaries, he stated.

“These donations are a precious investment in our gifted young people as they are the backbone of our nation. We whole-heartedly believe in them and will go the extra mile to transform their aspirations into a reality, building on the strong foundation of Zakat generosity," he added.-TradeArabia News Service