Dubai Duty Free was honoured with an Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility Supporter Award at the 7th Cycle of the Princess Haya Awards for Special Education (PHASE), held on 21st April at Joharah Ballroom in Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai

Launched in 2008 by HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the awards is the first initiative of its kind in the region that targets the role models in the special education sector. The initiative also aims to encourage people working in the special education sector to excel and set higher standards in all fields.

Commenting on the award, Dubai Duty Free’s Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, Colm McLoughlin said: We are honoured to be recognised once again in the Princess Haya Awards for Special Education. We are always interested in CSR programmes that relate to young people with special educational needs. It is very important that organisations such as ourselves provide the necessary support to ensure that these young people reach their full potential

Dubai Duty Free was recognised for its long term commitment to providing tangible, intellectual and corporate support to various non-profit organisations in the UAE including Al Noor Training Center for Person with Disabilities, Dubai Autism Centre, Dubai Centre for Special Needs, Rashid Centre for the Determined Ones, Senses Residential and Day Care Centre and Special Needs Future Development Centre.

The seventh cycle received 155 applications from Arab countries and the region, of which 33 candidates was recognized as winners

A host of senior government officials, heads of departments, public and private sector representatives, board members, managers and employees of special education centres attended the event. Bernard Creed, Senior Vice President for Finance accepted the award on behalf of Dubai Duty Free along with Olympia Pineda, Manager –Corporate Responsibility Department and Elham Al Mulla Al Meheri, Senior Corporate Responsibility Specialist.