New Board of Directors of Dubai Culture

Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, in his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai, has appointed Abdul Rahman Al Owais Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dubai Culture under Decree No 11, 2014.

Shaikh Mohammad also issued decree No 12 of 2014 appointing Shaikha Latifa Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum as Deputy Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Dubai Culture. Shaikha Latifa is also member of the Board of Trustees of the Emirates Literature Foundation.

Both decrees came into immediate effect.

The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (known as Dubai Culture) was established in 2008 by Shaikh Mohammad to support the development and growth of the cultural industry in Dubai, and position it as the nerve centre that shapes art and culture across the region. Since its inauguration, Dubai Culture has launched several pioneering initiatives that have enriched the region’s cultural scene.

Dubai Culture is also committed to promoting inter-cultural understanding and exchange while building on its Arab identity and preserving its national heritage. Many of its initiatives and projects focus on building a strong creative environment, nurturing and developing talents here and on the international arts scene, as well as strengthening artistic community engagement.

Al Owais joined the federal Government in 2006 as the Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, and from 2011 to 2013 was assigned as Acting Minister of Health, when he was appointed Minister of Health.

In addition to his duties, Al Owais also serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award, Member of the Board of Directors of The Emirates Foundation for Philanthropy and a Member of The Board of Trustees of Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation.

A prolific artist, bold entrepreneur and keen sports enthusiast, Shaikha Latifa is a woman of many facets.

An active member since 2008 in Dubai Culture, now the Deputy Chairperson of the Board of Directors and the head of the Higher Advisory Committee, Shaikha Latifa has demonstrated both her passion and determination to transform and strengthen the city’s cultural landscape. She also serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Emirates Literature Foundation.

A staunch supporter of women’s empowerment, Shaikha Latifa serves as the Honorary Chairman of the Zayed University Alumni Association Board, a position she has held since 2011, where she guides and supports young Emirati female graduates to determine their career paths.

As an active patron in Dubai’s cultural and artistic circuit, Shaikha Latifa has extended her support to some of the city’s flagship events including the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and Design Days Dubai.

Prior to her multi-faceted role in Dubai’s creative scene, Shaikha Latifa interned in Dubai Holding, where she worked across the group’s various entities including Jumeirah Group, Dubai Healthcare City, Tecom, and Sama Dubai, an opportunity she obtained as one of the first graduates from the Dubai Leadership Programme.

An EMBA post-graduate with Honours from Zayed University and a graduate in Business Sciences with a concentration in Marketing, Shaikha Latifa participated in numerous leadership training programmes following her education. She obtained her primary and secondary education at the Latifa school for Girls, where she was bestowed with the Rashid Scientific Excellence Award for her academic achievements.

—With inputs from WAM