Dr. Abdulrahim Sajini Recognized for Pioneering Work in RNA and Skin Stem Cell Research and Contribution to UAE’s Scientific Landscape��

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Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS) Assistant Professor Dr. Abdulrahim Sajini has won the prestigious UK Alumni Award 2025 in the ‘Science and Sustainability’ category for the UAE in recognition of his pioneering research in stem cells and RNA.��

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The award was officially presented to Dr. Sajini at a ceremony in Dubai that was attended by His Majesty’s Ambassador to the UAE Edward Hobart CMG, and Martin Daltry OBE, Director, British Council, UAE. Dr. Sajini’s work with human induced pluripotent stem cells, RNA modifications, his contributions at Khalifa University, supervising graduate students, his scientific publications, as well as volunteering service were evaluated by the judges.��

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The Science and Sustainability Award category recognizes alumni from UK institutions who have distinguished themselves through their career and who can demonstrate the impact and scale of their achievements in their profession. Some of the areas of work covered by this category include climate action, clean energy, medicine, sustainable cities and communities, engineering, industry and construction.��

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Dr. Sajini said: “The UK Alumni Awards recognize outstanding achievements of international UK alumni worldwide and honor international leaders who have leveraged their UK education to make significant contributions to their communities, industries, and countries. In my case, I was judged the winner in the Science and Sustainability Category for leveraging the knowledge I gained at the University of Cambridge to impact my research at Khalifa University and the UAE. The UK government award also acknowledges my significant contribution to the UAE’s science landscape, especially in pioneering stem cell research, and for being the first in the country to generate Emirati human-induced pluripotent stem cells.”��

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Dr. Sajini from the CMHS Biological Sciences department is currently leading his research group to use RNA molecules clinically and commercially. His research themes focus on studying obesity, RNA modifications and stem cell biology. More specifically, his research group has produced the UAE’s first Emirati human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) in order to study how Emirati genes are causing obesity. His lab is also working on understanding the role of RNA post-transcriptional modifications in stem cell self-renewal and in RNA sorting.��

Dr. Sajini completed both his Post-Doc and PhD at the University of Cambridge. He received his M.S. in Stem Cell Biology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. At Cambridge, he undertook a special entrepreneur program (Accelerate Cambridge) designed by the Judge Business School to transform himself from a biological scientist into a biological entrepreneur. His research at Khalifa University has attracted funding that includes AED 1,000,000 from Abu Dhabi Award for Research Excellence (AARE) 2019, AED 2,058,000 from Khalifa University’s RIG-2023 internal research grant call, and another two Khalifa University’s RIG-2024 internal research grants as Co-PI.����

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The UK Alumni Awards highlight the impact of graduates from UK higher education institutions, and how they have used their experience of studying at a UK university to make a positive contribution to their communities, industries and countries.��

Clarence Michael
English Editor – Specialist

The post Khalifa University Faculty Wins Prestigious UK Alumni Award 2025 in ‘Science and Sustainability’ Category������ appeared first on Khalifa University.

Program to Include Series of Workshops on Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Leadership with Focus on Sustainability

Khalifa University has announced the launch of the Khalifa University-Sustainable Development Goals (KU-SDG) Ambassador Program, a co-curricular program to teach students about innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership with a focus on sustainability through a series of workshops.��

Initiated by the Student Success Office, the Khalifa University-SDG Ambassador Program will build upon Khalifa University’s membership into the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and introduce the United Nations’ SDGs to the students. It will aim to equip them with the knowledge to contribute towards giving back to the community and ways to develop practical innovative solutions. The workshop series running from this Fall to Spring will be divided into six units – an introductory session, four themed units based on the 17 UN-SDGs, and a closing session.��

The UN-SDGs, also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity. In the UAE, several initiatives have been taken up by the government and private stakeholders and Khalifa University is an active member of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.��

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University, said: “The KU-SDG Ambassador Program reiterates our commitment to sustainability, renewable energy and green policies, especially though Masdar Institute’s various research centers and facilities such as the Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium (SBRC), Masdar Institute Solar Platform (MISP), and the Masdar Institute Environmental Monitoring Platform (MIEMP) at Abu Dhabi Mangroves. The program also compliments our various initiatives that support UAE’s Sustainability measures and will help further raise students’ awareness about global challenges that require an increased role for youth in multilateral organizations such as the United Nations.”

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He added: “This program is in line with the directives from the UAE leadership on developing and nurturing future professionals who will be experts in good governance, integrity and policy-making. We believe the students who join this initiative will be true ambassadors of the UAE’s progressive role in the global arena and bring honor to the country.”��

Dr. Amani Omer, Assistant Professor, and Dr. Glenn Muschert, Professor, both from Humanities and Social Sciences, will lead the program and the workshops throughout the year. The students who are part of the program will be closely involved with the United Nations’ SDG initiatives in the UAE, the region and across the world.��

Introductory sessions will be open to all undergraduate students. Applicants must be sophomores at Khalifa University, and should possess a genuine interest for sustainability, environment, technology, entrepreneurship and innovation. They also need to dedicate adequate time to complete the year-long program.��

There will be a workshop every few weeks to address one of the categories and present a scenario on issues pertinent to the problems. Each one relates to the SDGs of the session and provides a task for participants to research, evaluate, and monitor the development and progress of the SDGs in the UAE and from a global perspective wherever appropriate. At the same time, students will also be encouraged to innovate, and lead a community project wherever possible.

For more information, please vist the KU-SDG Ambassador Program website here: www.ku.ac.ae/ku-sdg-ambassador-program.��

Clarence Michael
English Editor Specialist
7 September 2021

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