Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) signed a MoU with College of Natural and Health Sciences at Zayed University, to develop a outline for joint cooperation in research activities, conducting research in the field of health, and studying the economic indicators of the health sector in the nation. The signing ceremony was held at the Ministry's office in Dubai. The Ministry was represented by Alya Zaid Harbi, Director of the Statistics and Research Center, while the College of Natural and Health Sciences at Zayed University was represented by Dr. Michael Allen, Research Assistant.

The two sides decided to carry out combined research activities, share statistical data associated to health, partake in conferences organized by the ministry and the university, and support the research committees of the ministry with respect to health sciences and training in research methodology, statistics and vital statistics.

Alya Harbi, Director of the Statistics and Research Center, pointed the importance of the Memorandum of Understanding with Zayed University in starting collaboration between the two sides, exchanging skills, enabling training, data and studies related to the progress of the health condition in the country, refining the level of health research in the country, and encouraging innovation and research to make the UAE one of the leading countries in the field of health research.

She underlined the Center's eagerness to cooperate with universities and specialized colleges locally and globally, associate with organisations interested in medical and health research for preparing research and studies, work on the exchange of research and medical studies, and develop health services and raise the level of health services in the country. In addition, she said the Center also required to implement regular health surveys at the country level in cooperation with the World Health Organization or any other local or world-wide entity, in the fields of medicine and public health.
Michael Allen, Research Assistant at Zayed University, welcomed the firming of collaboration and coordination with the Ministry in the field of health research. He said the initiative combined the general and comprehensive framework for coordination of hard work and visions that help government decision makers find sustainable solutions to health issues by developing strategic partnerships in specialized research. Allen also noted the Universitys keenness to participate in studies, scientific research, surveys and statistics, as well as facilitate the exchange of experiences to strengthen strategic partnerships between the two sides and carry out research work in accordance with best global practices.