Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation (MBRF), a leading establishment that seeks to spread knowledge and support literary initiatives in the Arab world and internationally, today announced at a press conference here the official launch of Flashes, the first knowledge magazine in English in the UAE.

Flashes, one of the creative initiatives of MBRF, has been inspired by the book Flashes of Thought by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It covers the latest events and activities of importance to the knowledge society in Dubai and the UAE, and contains exclusive interviews with public figures and decision makers on a variety of topics of current relevance. Additionally, it features scientific, economic, and social research from a development angle, as well as outstanding case studies on youth leadership.

Commenting on the official launch of the magazine, His Excellency Jamal Bin Huwaireb, Managing Director of MBRF, said: The launch of Flashes highlights the sustained efforts of MBRF towards developing a knowledge-based society and reflects our commitment to dissemination of knowledge throughout the world by fostering ideas and innovation. As the UAEs first knowledge magazine in English, Flashes will contribute to enhance greater awareness in the society about scientific, economic and social topics in line with the Foundations aim of enriching the cultural movement and intellectual development in the Arab world and internationally.

The content of the magazine has been designed with the aim of preparing a new generation of leaders capable of taking their communities forward on the path of sustainable development in public, private and civil society sectors. The effort is to support and develop tools of scientific research and raise the level of education infrastructure in the region to match international standards.

The first issue of the magazine contains a number of interesting features and articles, notable among which is a feature on the UAE Suqia campaign, which describes the UAE effort as a significant step towards creating a world where every person has clean water to drink. In an interview, Dr. Abdulla Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, tells how Vision 2021 aims to make the UAE among the best countries in the world by the Golden Jubilee of the Union.

The issue also contains an article by Catherine Hill, Dean and Associate Professor, School of Education at the American University in Dubai, in which she gives her insights on children of conflict, multicultural learning environments and the purpose and practices of higher education. There is also an interesting feature that highlights how popular interest in an 1885 French rabies cure helped change the way ordinary people viewed medicine.

Flashes, published by MBRF in cooperation with Motivate Publishing, Dubai, carries thought-provoking articles and features to help promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among young people in order to support the creation of more job opportunities.

Apart from Flashes, other MBRF initiatives that reflect the Foundations commitment to dissemination of knowledge include A Book in Minutes monthly initiative to share knowledge with the widest possible audience by publishing translated summaries of international best sellers by prominent authors. It has also launched My Family Reads initiative to encourage learning and reading and enhance knowledge level in the local community by translating into Arabic various book collections from across the world, including classics and best-selling titles, and distributing them among families.

MBRF also launched Wamadat, a monthly knowledge magazine, which carries contributions by professional authors and researchers.