Abu Dhabi University and Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an Inaugurate Community-Funded Building to Support Sustainable Student Scholarships

Abu Dhabi University (ADU), in partnership with the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an, inaugurated a community-funded building in Al Mafraq area, marking the completion of a sustainable contribution project designed to generate long-term funding for student scholarships.

The inauguration was attended by H.E. Faisal Al Hmoudi, Executive Director of the Social Investment Fund at Ma’an, Professor Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor of ADU and Salem Al Dhaheri, Executive Director of Community Relations at the university.

Developed with a total contribution of AED 9.5 million and spanning 4,300 m², the building represents an innovative Corporate Social Responsibility model that transforms community assets into recurring revenue streams dedicated to funding student scholarships. The facility includes 16 offices, four warehouses, six retail shops and a supermarket, and will be leased to drive local business activity while generating sustainable, long-term funding to support the education of future generations.

Once fully operational, the initiative is expected to support up to 25 full scholarships or more than 40 partial scholarships annually, directly contributing to expanded access to higher education and the empowerment of future generations.

Professor Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University, said: “This inauguration marks a significant milestone in transforming community contributions, enabled through our partnership with the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an, into lasting educational opportunities. By embedding sustainability at the core of social investment, the initiative reflects ADU’s commitment to inclusive growth, shared social responsibility, and advancing the UAE’s knowledge-based economy through meaningful community participation.”

H.E Abdullah Al Ameri, Director General of the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an said: “Since its launch, our ‘From the Community to the Community’ label has seen commemoration for partners and the contributions they make towards community projects that lead to significant social impact on the lives of Abu Dhabi community members.” He added, “Supporting the education pillar and development of students has profound impact not only on the individual but on the community as a whole by developing more resilient and skilled future workforce. Partnerships are at the heart of what we do at the Authority and collaborating with ADU to recognise the support being provided to students enables us to further expand awareness of the social impact and subsequent economic development that can be achieved when we unite.”

The initiative is delivered under Ma’an’s ‘From The Community To The Community’ framework, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s culture of giving by bringing together government entities, academic institutions and the wider community to achieve measurable social impact. It also aligns with national priorities focused on community empowerment, education and sustainable development.

This partnership demonstrates the power of community collaboration in expanding access to education, enabling students to thrive through sustained support and opportunity while also contributing to the development of a more inclusive, resilient and opportunity-driven society that benefits current and future generations.