H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, President of Zayed University inaugurated the “Khalaf Al Habtoor Assistive Technology Resource Center” for students with special needs at Zayed University Dubai Campus during the launch ceremony held in the presence of Khalaf Al Habtoor, the founder of Al Habtoor Group of Companies, Dr. Sulaiman Al Jassim, Vice President, Zayed University, Dr. Larry Wilson, Provost Zayed University, Safia Al Raqbani, Chief Development and External Affairs Officer, faculty, staff and public figures.

His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan praised the initiative by Khalaf Al Habtoor for his generous donation to establish the “Khalaf Al Habtoor Assistive Technology Resource Center” for students with special needs. He emphasized the contribution helps strengthen the University's service to the community and raises awareness of the importance of collaborations for the development of education to enhance learning outcomes in the UAE. He also stressed that the various levels of education are a concern for UAE society that require many contributions of this kind to assure a high standard of education excellence for all students in the UAE.

Khalaf Al Habtoor said “It is my hope and mission in life, within my capabilities, to continue to support education for students of all ages in the UAE and in every other place that I can, without differentiation between cultural or religious background. This is what our great leaders HH the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and HH the Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum have taught us."

“Zayed University is an educational landmark, and I was very proud and impressed with its young students during my first visit with HH Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan. Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Zayed University has the potential to continue it successful journey, and this doesn’t come easy unless there is a leader from the caliber of His Highness to encourage and direct people." Al Habtoor added. Dr. Sulaiman Al Jassim, Vice President, Zayed University, said “Khalaf Al Habtoor also made a significant investment in the University by establishing the Khalaf Al Habtoor Chair in Business Sciences with a donation of AED 10 million. The chair and center are truly remarkable donations that add to a margin of excellence at ZU.”

Fatma Al Qassimi, Senior Specialist at Zayed University's Accessibility Office expressed her gratitude for Mr. Khalaf Al Habtoor’s kind contribution to establish the “Khalaf Al Habtoor Assistive Technology Resource Center” for students with special needs. "This initiative translates a high level of awareness and eagerness to support students with special needs and help them accomplish their educational ambitions" she commented.

"The center is a new addition to the university’s resources, it is fully equipped with state-of-the-art high technologies that provides the best available technical services for students with special needs and for those who are shortsighted and rely on their hearing ability in their studies the center provides Braille typing tools and Text magnifier machines. The center has a capacity to serve 25 students at a time." Al Qassimi added.