Khalifa Foundation grants Texas University US$150 million for cancer research

posted on 19/01/2011: 124 views

The Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Charity Foundation will offer a grant of US$ 150 million to the University of Texas, US, in support of its genetic-analysis based research, diagnosis and treatment of cancers.

H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the Foundation, and Dr. Francisco G. Cigarroa, President, University of Texas, graced yesterday the signing ceremony of the grant agreement.

Inked by Ahmed Juma Al Za'abi, Deputy Chairman of the Foundation, and John Mendelsohn, President of Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, one of the world's most-respected centers devoted exclusively to cancer patient care, research, education and prevention, the agreement calls for establishing the Zayed bin Sultan cancer treatment clinic at the university hospital. The 600,000 cubic feet medical facility will house the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Specialty Institute for Cancer Diagnosis and Ahmed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Pancreatic Cancer Center.

The grant will also finance a fund for instituting three chairs named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan for oncology, the Sheikh Khalifa University for cancer knowledge and the Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for scientific and medical knowledge in cancer research.

The grant will also fund a group of fellowships every year.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, Dr. Francisco G. Cigarroa, President, University of Texas, said the research programme will have maximum benefit of the generous grant in the betterment of humanity at large.

John Mendelsohn, President of Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, described the grant as the largest in the history of the University. He added that the fund will be channelled into research programmes seeking to discover new and more effective medicines.

According to him, the grant will enhance the quality and value of cancer research programmes for diagnosing cancer infection.

The mission of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees and the public.

In 2011, the Center was named the best centre for research-driven patient care among 40 cancer research centers working under the umbrella of the US National Cancer Institute. - Emirates News Agency, WAM

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