Social responsibility describes the way we are making a difference to the social and economic well-being of our communities through our teaching, research, and public events and activities, not just through our MBA, Dual MBA, MSc or MA courses in Dubai.
Social responsibility is one of our three core strategic goals in Our future: The University of Manchester’s vision and strategic plan, sitting equally alongside our commitments to world-class research, and outstanding learning and student experience.
The impact of our social responsibility initiatives
We strive to make a positive difference to the life and future of our region by taking socially responsible decisions that have real, beneficial, measurable impacts on the people and the world around us.
Social Responsibility is at the core of our strategies. Together with our students, alumni, staff and partners, we engage in social activities that are not only timely and relevant, we also make sure that they are in line with the goals of Dubai and the whole of UAE for a bigger impact in society and the world.
“Adopt a School” with Dubai Cares
The University of Manchester Middle East Centre is delighted to be collaborating with Dubai Cares to support one of their signature initiatives – ‘Adopt a School’ - which aims to provide thousands of children and young people with access to educational opportunities, globally. The specific objective of this initiative is to build a new school, complete with all the necessary facilities and trained teachers, for children in a developing country to give them an opportunity to create a better life and a better future.
Dubai Cares – the UAE-based global philanthropic organisation and part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives - is playing a key role in helping achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning by 2030, by supporting programs in early childhood development, access to quality primary and secondary education, technical and vocational education and training for youth as well as a particular focus on education in emergencies and protracted crises.
Since 2007, Dubai Cares has been working towards providing children and young people in developing countries with access to quality education through the design and funding of programmes that aim to be integrated, impactful, sustainable and scalable. It has successfully launched education programmes reaching over 20 million beneficiaries in 59 developing countries.
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Virtual Charity Run
Emirates Red Crescent
We are joining The University of Manchester Worldwide in a virtual charity run on Saturday, 19th September 2020. The charity run aims to break the Guinness World Records for the highest number of people joining a virtual run on Zoom, simultaneously with alumni from around the world. (Previous Record: 154 pax)
To break the world record attempt, students and alumni from all international centres will run together at different locations all over the world, from Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and Manchester. You can run at home, in the park, on a treadmill, in the gym, or any place you prefer, all through the Zoom platform.
How to participate in Guinness World Records
The run begins at 3pm Dubai local time, to participate in Guinness World Records, you will need to login to Zoom platform 15 minutes earlier (at 2.45pm Dubai Local time) to setup for the run and to turn on your camera. When you are given the signal to start running, you will need to run for a minimum of 5 minutes along with the rest of the world to be part of history!
Connecting to Zoom is optional, but is necessary if you wish to participate in the world record attempt.
Manchester Day of Action
This run is in conjunction with Manchester Day of Action, an annual community volunteering project for Manchester alumni around the world. This year, we are addressing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals #3: Good Health and Wellbeing and #16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
Emirates Red Crescent
The run will also support Emirates Red Crescent, UAE based affiliate of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, in their public relief initiative to individuals in distress especially in the aftermath of the devastating explosion that took place in the port of Beirut, on Tuesday 4th of August 2020. All proceeds raised from registration will go to them, a minimum entry fee is AED10.
Please visit Emirates Red Crescent website to support this initiative.
Click here to register for the Run!
Date : Saturday, 19 September 2020
Time : 3pm Dubai local time, Please login at 2.45pm
Upon receiving your registration and donation, details of the game rules and the requirements will be sent to you via email 5 days before the event.
By registering, I hereby consent:
- To have my screen name, recording and photo to be used in the Guinness World Records attempt submission, and for the making of the video for the event.
- To share my registration details with The University of Manchester Middle East Centre.
Disclaimer:
You are fully responsible for your health condition and for running in a safe environment. The organising team does not assume responsibility nor liability for injury. Since this event is for charity and the amount paid is a donation, there will be no refund for cancellation.
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2019 Social Responsibility Events
Dubai Fitness Challenge 2019
In our support of Dubai Fitness Challenge 2019 and turning Dubai into the most active city in the world, the University of Manchester Middle East Centre, along with students, alumni and staff took part the 3rd edition of the Dubai Fitness Challenge! DFC is all about motivating and involving Dubai’s residents to commit to 30 minutes of continuous exercise a day for 30 days, with a month-long calendar of exciting events.
Dubai Run
The first ever Dubai Run, part of the Dubai Fitness challenge, was held last Friday November 8, 2019. The event aimed to promote exercising as, not just keeping us healthy, but bringing the family closer as well. Alumni, students, staff and family members joined the prestigious event
Jadarah Sessions - As part of our ongoing social responsibility initiatives, we have taken part in The Jadarah Talent Accelerator Programme - an initiative to facilitate young competent Arab minds with innovative thinking tools, and expertise on-the-job, all aimed at a fast-track career progression in the burgeoning digital economy. We have hosted 3 sessions on soft skills development – on topics of Emotional Intelligence, Personal Brand, and Coaching & Feedback. In these sessions, the Jadarah cohort engaged in interactive activities, individual work and group discussion. Sessions were led by our careers team – Elena Agaragimova and Hiba Abbassi.
Dubai Standard Chartered Marathon - On January 25, 2019 the University of Manchester Middle East Centre students, alumni, staff, and friends participated in the 2019 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon! This was a great way for our centre to kick off our Social Responsibility initiatives for the year.
Dubai Cares “Walk for Education” 2019 - The University of Manchester Middle East Centre staff, students, and alumni took part in the walk, which was in support of the ‘Year of Tolerance‘.
Red Crescent – a volunteer team from the Middle East Centre worked with the Red Crescent to pack complimentary Iftar boxes (the meal that breaks the daily fast) for labourers and workers in Dubai.
WeWalk is an annual walkathon representing people from all walks of life, encouraging a broader understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by individuals every day. By engaging organisations from private and public sectors, TECOM aims to give back to society while also adhering to objectives set in the UAE National Agenda and Vision 2021.
Ramadan fridges - an initiative to position fridges in public spaces around Dubai during Ramadan, to provide food for the needy, is being supported by the centre and stocked by volunteers from the team.
SOS Gala Suhoor – the Middle East Centre was a partner and sponsor to the Gala Suhoor (evening meal) occasion organised by SOS Children’s Villages, in Dubai, to highlight the work of the charity in providing dedicated family support for children without access to parental care, and to raise funds.
In the spirit of Ramadan, the centre team organised the annual Ramadan gathering for students and alumni in Dubai, attended by over 60 guests who also made generous donations to the Red Crescent during the event.