The Endowment and Minors’ Trust Foundation in Dubai (Awqaf Dubai) announced that endowment assets dedicated to educational initiatives have reached AED472 million in 2025.
The portfolio includes 51 endowment assets aimed at advancing education in the UAE and supporting students from low-income families. It comprises 23 real estate endowments—buildings, villas, and commercial units—valued at AED428 million, alongside 28 financial endowments in bonds and equities worth AED44 million. Proceeds from these assets are allocated to provide scholarships and learning resources for students across 16 educational institutions in the country.
In 2024, Awqaf Dubai disbursed AED5.3 million in scholarships, benefitting 2,079 students enrolled in private schools and national and international universities across a range of academic disciplines.
Ali Al Mutawa, Secretary-General of Awqaf Dubai, affirmed the Foundation’s commitment to supporting education in line with the leadership’s vision, stressing that equitable access to quality education is central to its humanitarian mission. He noted that the initiative aligns with the UAE National Agenda and the Year of Community campaign, which aims to strengthen social responsibility, promote cohesion, and build a sustainable society.
Al Mutawa further highlighted the vital role of endowment funds in empowering students to pursue education and careers, reinforcing the principle that investing in education is an investment in the nation’s future. He praised philanthropists for their contributions, particularly in the education sector, reaffirming the Foundation’s commitment to managing endowment assets according to best practices to maximise returns and expand impact.
Awqaf Dubai registered its first educational endowment in 2017, a AED25 million donation from an Emirati woman. The latest was registered in 2024 by an Emirati philanthropist who contributed shares valued at AED20 million.
(Inputs from WAM)
