University of Dubai Alumni Association (UDAA), under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum and in collaboration with Beit Al Khair Society, hosted its 2nd ìAnnual Charity Gala Suhoorî on June 22nd, 2016 at Burj Al Arab Hotel to raise funds during Ramadan, the month of giving, for meritorious students who are facing financial challenges. The event, which was sponsored by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), witnessed the presence of UD President Dr. Eesa Al Bastaki, Head of Al Serkal Group Ahmad Bin Eisa Bin Nasser Al Serkal, Shiekh Saleh Al Maghamsi, Sheikh Dr. Fares Almustafa, Senior Vice President of the Institutional Support Sector at Dubai Chamber Essa Ali Al Zaabi, Executive Manager of Beit Al khair Society Mr. Abdeen Taher Al Awahdhi, representatives from DEWA, Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Est., Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank ADIB, SAFI Investments, Trakhees, a considerable number of philanthropists, in addition to† members of UD Board of Trustees, Students, Alumni, Staff and Faculty. With the support of the attendees and participants, the Alumni Association was able to collect more than 400,000 Dhr. This amount will be used to facilitate education and cover the tuition fees for a number of students who are unable to pursue their studies and fulfill their dreams for economic reasons. Highlighting the slogan ìGiving to education is the best charityî, the ceremony featured a religious seminar prepared and presented by Sheikh Salah Al Maghamsi and Sheikh Dr. Fares Mustafa. In their lectures, they shed lights on the significance of assisting distinguished students who cannot afford their tuition fees and urged participants and philanthropists to donate their money and contribute to the welfare and prosperity of those students. Attendees also had the opportunity of entering a raffle draw. Dr. Al Bastaki greeted the attendees for participating in the charitable mission of spreading knowledge and financially supporting talented students who face economic challenges. ìBest donation is education,î stated Dr. Al Bastaki acknowledging the fact that knowledge is only weapon for fighting ignorance. ìWe must encourage innovation to ensure a brighter, fruitful future for students,î he continued. He also mentioned some of UDís accomplishments, goals, and plans to establish an international education platform and hub. Concluding his speech, Dr. Al Bastaki extended his thanks to everyone who helped in making this event successful and provided all philanthropists the appropriate tools to generously give. ìBeit Al Khair has been continuously providing financially challenged students with materialistic and psychological support and we are so proud today to collaborate with UDAA and take part in such a great, charitable initiative,î Al Awahdhi said. Sheikh Al Maghamsi spoke about “the benefits of† education and its significance in helping students build themselves first and then contribute to human civilization.î Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority Sheikh Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer commented on the event in an interview by stating: ìIn accordance with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai – to transform UAE and Dubai into a place for charity and humanitarian work and due to our social roles and responsibilities, we launched several charitable and humanitarian initiatives, and social programs that aim at enhancing our leading role in the development of society and the promotion of humanitarian work in line with the orientations of UAE which emphasize the circulation of goodness, peace, love and support to needy people throughout the world.î He continued: ìIn order to achieve the principle of cooperation between members of the community, we are providing assistance for knowledge seekers and hopeless, talented students to encourage them to continue their studies and enhance their educational level.î ìOur aim at UDAA is to facilitate the dissemination of knowledge among students who have economic boundaries preventing them from reaching their goals and earning a university degree,î noted the Director of UDAA Amina AlMarzak.