Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre appoints Majid Jafar to its advisory council
The Advisory Council, led by former UK Prime Minister David Cameron, supports the OHC's mission to deliver new treatments for the nearly half a billion people affected by rare diseases worldwide. Council members are leaders of relevant industries and sectors, from different regions of the world who bring expertise, resources and networks towards the initial goal of developing 40 new drugs for rare diseases in the next 10 years.
Jafar is a distinguished business leader serving as Vice-Chairman of the Crescent Group and CEO of Crescent Petroleum, based in the United Arab Emirates, and is the first person to be appointed to the Council from the GCC and Middle East, a region with over 30 million people affected by rare diseases.
He is a prominent, global rare disease advocate and philanthropist with a strong commitment to driving positive social change in healthcare and education, with extensive networks and interests in business, investment and philanthropy in the US, Europe and the Middle East. Among his roles, Mr. Jafar is the co-founder, with his wife Lynn, of the Loulou Foundation, a private non-profit foundation dedicated to advancing science and treatments for CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder (CDD), a rare neurogenetic disorder that affects their eldest daughter, Alia. The Loulou Foundation has funded important research projects at leading universities and institutions in the US, Europe and Asia, with a total of over 60 projects at 45 different institutions.
Jafar also sits on various non-profit boards including the Board of Fellows of Harvard Medical School, where he co-chairs the Discovery Council, and is a member of the Academy of the University of Pennsylvania and the Global Precision Medicine Council of the World Economic Forum, as well as co-chairing the campaign for Cambridge Children's Hospital in the UK.
David Cameron, Chair of the OHC's Advisory Council, said: 'We are delighted to welcome Majid to the OHC Advisory Council. His extensive experience within the business and investment communities and in policy engagement - alongside his philanthropic efforts in education and healthcare - make him an invaluable addition to our team. Furthermore, as a parent of a child with a rare disease, Majid has a deep empathy with families in similar situations as they seek a diagnosis and treatment. We look forward to his contribution to the Council and to his support of the OHC as it continues its groundbreaking work in rare disease research and development of new treatments for patients worldwide.'
Majid Jafar commented: 'I am honoured to join the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre Advisory Council. Supporting the development of innovative treatments for rare diseases is a cause close to my heart with my family's own experience deeply shaping my commitment to delivering urgently needed treatments to rare disease patients. I look forward to helping advance the OHC's mission by fostering key partnerships in new regions and sourcing philanthropic investment that can accelerate progress for the many patients in need.'
Matthew Wood, Director and Chief Scientific Officer of the OHC, added: 'Majid brings a unique perspective to our Advisory Council, with his strong leadership background and dedication to advancing healthcare. His commitment to social impact, coupled with his ability to expand the OHC's reach into new regions, will be instrumental as we work towards delivering rare disease drugs in the coming years. We are thrilled to have him on board and look forward to his contributions to our mission.'
Majid Jafar joins Lord Cameron (Chair of the OHC's Advisory Council and Former UK Prime Minister), Professor Sir John Bell (President, Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford, and former Regius Professor of Medicine at Oxford University), Baroness Nicola Blackwood (Chair of Genomics England and of Oxford University Innovation), John F. Crowley (President and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Association (BIO)), Ronald G. Harrington (a renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist, and co-founder of Harrington Discovery Institute), and Jonathan S. Stamler, MD (President and co-founder of Harrington Discovery Institute and Distinguished University Professor of Medicine), on the OHC Advisory Council.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sharjah 24
6 hours ago
- Sharjah 24
SEC oversees terms for granting supplementary support to families
During its meeting, the Council addressed several topics concerning the regulation and oversight of government departments and agencies in the Emirate of Sharjah. They reviewed important development plans aimed at improving service quality, which are expected to have a positive impact on the quality of life for both citizens and residents in the emirate . Enhancing citizens' quality of life The Council praised the initiatives put forth by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, which are designed to enhance the quality of life for citizens and ensure they enjoy a respectable standard of living. His Highness has also approved the provision of additional aid for eligible families in the Emirate of Sharjah . The Council has made a decision to regulate the powers and conditions for providing supplementary assistance to eligible families. Consequently, the Department of Social Services will be responsible for granting this support to families whose total monthly income from all sources is below AED17,500. This aid is aimed at enhancing their social welfare . Promoting Mira Khalifa Al Suwaidi to Department Director The Council has made a decision to elevate Mira Khalifa Abdullah Al Suwaidi, currently serving as the Director of the Computer Department at the Sharjah Consultative Council, to the position of Department Director under the Sharjah Government Special Jobs System. Additionally, she has been appointed as the Assistant Secretary of the Sharjah Consultative Council . Organizational Structure of Sharjah Noble Quran and Sunnah The Council has approved the organizational structure of the Sharjah Noble Quran and Sunnah Establishment, aimed at strengthening the Foundation's capacity to fulfill its responsibilities within its mandate. This decision is part of a broader initiative to enhance organizational frameworks across various government departments and agencies. Additionally, the Council instructed its General Secretariat to wrap up its legislative session . Results of Medical Committee for Home Nursing Services' work The Council reviewed the report detailing the accomplishments of the Medical Committee for Home Nursing Services in the Emirate of Sharjah. This report highlighted key statistics regarding the cases presented to the committee, which amounted to 219 new cases recorded from the start of the year up until last June. These cases spanned various cities and regions within the emirate, with a total financial impact exceeding AED20 million . The report outlined the objectives of the committee, which focused on delivering comprehensive medical care to families while facilitating the integration of patients within their homes. It also approved medical reports and assessed the impact of the services offered. Additionally, the report highlighted the findings of a customer satisfaction survey, which revealed an impressive 89.4% satisfaction rate regarding the services provided by the Home Nursing Medical Committee .
Zawya
28-07-2025
- Zawya
Jordan: Gov't, KBW sign $187mln deal to build Madaba hospital, digitise military medical services
AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Saturday oversaw the signing of two agreements aimed at boosting Jordan's healthcare sector, in the presence of Saudi Prince Khaled Bin Alwaleed, Chairman of KBW Investments, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti. The first agreement, signed between the government and KBW Investments, paves the way for the construction of a new public hospital in Madaba, according to a Prime Ministry statement. The second agreement, between the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) and Farah Jordan for Smart Cities, an army-affiliated company partially owned by KBW, focuses on advancing digital transformation in hospitals run by the Royal Medical Services (RMS). The agreement to establish the Madaba Government Hospital was signed by Minister of Investment Muthanna Gharaibeh, Minister of Health Firas Hawari, and KBW CEO Ahmad Sallakh. The digital services agreement was signed by Assistant Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for Planning, Organisation and Defence Resources Brig. Gen. Ammar Saraira and Sallakh, on behalf of KBW, which owns 49 per cent of Farah Jordan's shares. The two agreements represent a significant foreign investment in a vital sector, with a total value of JD133 million, marking the beginning of broader public-private partnerships in areas such as transport, infrastructure, and healthcare, the statement said. Following the signing ceremony, Hassan emphasised the importance of cooperation between the public and private sectors in enhancing the Kingdom's healthcare system. He also welcomed further investment with KBW, expressing appreciation for the company's contributions to corporate social responsibility, particularly in the education and health sectors. 'This is the first time a public hospital will be constructed in partnership with the private sector, after a delay of nearly a decade,' Hassan said. 'It is a much-needed project for the people of Madaba. The hospital, which will be fully government-run, will initially provide around 260 beds, expandable to 360. We expect citizens to benefit from its full services within three years.' Prince Alwaleed reiterated the company's long-term commitment to investing in Jordan. 'We consider Jordan our second home,' he said, noting that KBW has been operating in the country for more than 10 years and aims to expand across multiple sectors. Both projects are aligned with the Economic Modernisation Vision (EMV), particularly the pillar focused on quality of life, attracting foreign investment, and promoting digital transformation in the public sector, the statement said. The Madaba hospital project is classified as a major initiative under the Jordan Investment Fund Law and would be developed by KBW Investments and Infrastructure. It is the first partnership of its kind between the government and the private sector in the healthcare domain. The hospital would be built to the highest technical specifications, aiming to significantly improve healthcare services in Madaba and surrounding areas. The facility would consist of 13 floors, with a total built-up area of 54,000 square meters and an initial capacity of 260 beds, expandable to 360, according to the statement. It will also include eight main operating rooms, 60 outpatient clinics, 18 dialysis units, emergency care, lithotripsy and endoscopy units, intensive care, medical laboratories, catheterisation labs, and 830 parking spaces. Construction is scheduled to begin later this year, with the public-private partnership expected to reduce the original estimated timeline from seven years to just three. KBW would be responsible for construction, while the Ministry of Health will operate the hospital and provide staffing, equipment, and medical supplies. The government will begin repayments to the company after project completion, spread over a 10-year period. Hassan had announced plans for the hospital earlier this year during a Cabinet session held in Madaba in March, the statement said. As for the second agreement, the digital transformation project aims to modernise services across hospitals, health centres, warehouses, and other facilities affiliated with the RMS. The initiative would enhance inventory governance, reduce medicine and equipment waste and improve the management of medical supplies and fixed assets such as hospitals and clinics. It would also help streamline operations in labs and radiology units. The project is expected to raise the quality of care provided to citizens and patients at RMS hospitals. Cost savings generated by the digital transformation will be used to cover the agreement's expenses, the statement said. The project is expected to raise the quality of care provided to citizens and patients at RMS hospitals. Cost savings generated by the digital transformation would be used to cover the agreement's expenses. The agreement also includes training and certification of technical staff to manage the digital system and ensure high-quality data input. The final value of the agreement, estimated at around JD45 million, would be determined based on the digital services identified by a joint technical committee from RMS and other relevant departments. Founded in 2013, KBW Investments operates across a range of sectors, including energy, real estate, finance, media, engineering, and technology. It maintains a broad international presence through affiliated companies in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Italy, Romania, and other countries, the statement said. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
24-07-2025
- Zawya
Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research unveils new calendar for university academic year 2025-2026
Abdulrahman Al Awar: The new academic calendar reflects the Ministry's commitment to creating an integrated university environment that meets student needs, enhances academic life and boosts student performance The changes mark a qualitative shift toward a more flexible, balanced system that supports students' well-being United Arab Emirates: Following the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council's approval, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has announced a new academic calendar structure to be implemented across all public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) for the academic year 2025-2026, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing the national education system. The new structure introduces key changes to end-of-term holidays to create a more flexible and consistent academic calendar across UAE-based HEIs. Aligned with the 'Year of Community' objectives, the structure aims to foster family cohesion and support students through a balanced distribution of study and break periods. His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, noted that the new academic calendar reflects the Ministry's commitment to creating an integrated university environment that meets student needs, enhances academic life and boosts student performance. His Excellency Dr. Al Awar added: 'This step reflects our ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency of the higher education system by aligning academic policies with community development goals and student needs. The changes mark a qualitative shift toward a more flexible, balanced system that supports students' well-being, community engagement and personal growth.' Under the new structure, the university academic year will start on 25 August 2025, with major holidays aligning with the school calendar. These include a four-week winter break from 8 December 2025 to 4 January 2026, with classes resuming on 5 January 2026, as well as a two-week spring break from 16 to 29 March 2026, with classes resuming on 30 March 2026. The academic year will end on 3 July 2025, offering a clearer and more balanced schedule that supports students' learning and wellbeing. All UAE-based higher education institutions must follow a unified academic year start and end date, with exceptions for international universities aligned with their home calendars. The mandate also allows flexibility in determining the start date of the academic year in line with the requirements of academic programs and specializations at higher education institutions, as well as flexibility in setting the end date of the academic year based on the timing of the summer semesters. While also allowing the flexibility to adjust the holiday dates by up to one week before or after the specified dates, provided the holiday duration remains unchanged. Adoption of the new academic calendar is a strategic move aligned with national efforts to advance higher education by offering a more flexible, high-quality experience that meets students' academic and personal needs. It reflects MoHESR's commitment to fostering an integrated learning environment that empowers students to reach their full potential, prepares them for the future and equips them to contribute to national development with the skills and creativity needed across vital fields.
