Fatima bint Mubarak Centre Convenes Strategic Research Retreat on Motherhood and Childhood
Leading researchers and policymakers gather at the United Arab Emirates University to establish national research priorities and strengthen institutional cooperation in support of mothers and children across the emirates.
The Fatima bint Mubarak Centre for Motherhood and Childhood Research, situated within the United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain, recently convened a distinguished research retreat that brought together an accomplished assembly of researchers, academics, experts, government representatives and community organisations. The gathering proved instrumental in identifying and establishing national research priorities designed to inform policies and programmes benefiting mothers and children across the UAE.
Throughout the proceedings, participants engaged in comprehensive discussions centring upon the essential role of multidisciplinary research in addressing the multifaceted challenges surrounding motherhood and childhood. These deliberations emphasised the vital importance of generating robust evidence to enhance governmental policies and the quality of services provided to families throughout the nation.
An extensive introductory session surveyed the contemporary national research landscape across three critical domains: health, education and social care. This examination illuminated emerging issues and identified areas requiring deeper scholarly investigation and intellectual attention.
The retreat proceeded through a carefully structured format, with participants dividing into three distinct working groups aligned with these core sectors. Each group undertook a thorough assessment of existing research, systematically identified knowledge gaps, and examined emerging challenges within their respective domains. Through rigorous evaluation, the groups assessed prospective research priorities according to their potential impact and practical feasibility, ultimately ranking these priorities within a research matrix and proposing strategically significant projects for each sector.
During the concluding plenary session, participants presented their proposed research priorities, outlined potential projects and identified prospective implementation partners. Discussions also explored mechanisms for strengthening cooperation amongst research institutions, government entities and community organisations engaged in this vital work.
Prof. Ahmed Ali Al Raeesi, Vice Chancellor of the UAEU, eloquently articulated the fundamental truth that investment in mothers and children represents an investment in society’s future. He emphasised the indispensable role that universities play in generating rigorous research capable of addressing community needs.
The Vice Chancellor noted that the University’s responsibility extends to drawing upon its academic expertise to examine these critical issues within the distinctive context of UAE society and to produce reliable knowledge enabling stakeholders to develop a comprehensive understanding of mothers’ and children’s needs whilst formulating appropriately calibrated responses.
The retreat’s outcomes included comprehensive recommendations for developing an integrated research agenda and action plan to guide forthcoming studies and support evidence-based policymaking. These efforts advance the Centre’s mission to promote applied research and specialised knowledge whilst supporting the nation’s sustainable development objectives and strengthening the UAE’s standing as a regional centre of excellence for research and innovation in motherhood and childhood.
Source: WAM