H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah

The truth that pervades our human communities extending over the four corners of the globe and comes to the fore in every epoch to prove that it is still living is that the collective spirit of human civilizations cannot reach perfect intellectual advancement unless all communities contribute to that advancement. This contribution should be based on the dialogue of human civilizations, the honest pursuit of cultural exchange and the real enlightenment of the rational dimension ingrained in humanity. Without this contribution progress would neither be perfect nor integral. Looking into human history shows that the structure of contemporary civilizations is nothing more than an extension to past civilizations. This mixture does not entitle man to say that this is the heritage of our civilization alone. Our ongoing dialogue and cultural exchange with the developed nations must express our true nature and reflect our inherited vision of human civilizations and cultures whose integration makes it difficult for one civilization to do without the others.

The Arab Science and Technology Foundation is a completely independent institution that sprang solely from the will of Arab scientists and whose statutes are protected by the law and approved by the most well-known Arab scientists from within and outside the Arab world. Its administration has the absolute right to run its internal affairs according to the approved statutes. We supported the Foundation in its initial stage in response to the desire of our Arab scientists, thus paving the way for their national project.

The current state of affairs in the Arab world necessitates that we provide the coming generation with the opportunity to be brought up according to the best educational and technological standards. There is a pressing need for a comprehensive study on the sciences and specializations needed for the process of technological development according to the needs and requirements, general and specific, of our Arab countries. Providing the suitable environment for our Arab scientists and our innovators inside and outside the Arab world and drawing on their expertise and potential is a vital and necessary investment. The Arab situation requires that we spare no effort since the Arab scientific achievements in their current state fall short of contributing to the building of the modern technological civilization and continuing at the same pace is a serious indicator. In our digital age split-seconds count on the measure of development of societies and estimating their productive age in the foreseeable future.

For the noble aims on which the Arab Science and Technology Foundation was founded and its vision, I call for sparing no honest effort that would contribute to the fulfillment of its mission.

Finally, I call for a concerted effort by all our scientists, investors, officials and leaders to support this scientific project whose harvest we all seek to reap since only concerted Arab efforts can restore to the Arab world its due place in modern civilization. I pray to God Almighty to guide the steps of those in charge of the Foundation.