Emirates Scholar participates in the 3rd edition of Al Amal Scientific Research Award
Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, affiliated with Emirates Health Services (EHS), organized the third edition of Al Amal Scientific Research Award during a special ceremony held at the hospital’s headquarters in Dubai. The event brought together a distinguished group of experts, specialists, and academic partners to celebrate outstanding achievements in mental health research. It reflected the award’s evolution into a national platform supporting knowledge production and the advancement of clinical practice, while also highlighting the strength of the UAE’s research presence on the global scientific stage.
This year’s award witnessed strong engagement from researchers and academic institutions, receiving 114 submissions, including approximately 85 scientific posters. Participants included researchers, students, and healthcare professionals from leading local and international universities, in addition to staff from Emirates Health Services—demonstrating the growing interest in scientific research and the expansion of academic partnerships within the mental health sector.
Noor Almheiri, Director of Mental Health Department & Acting Director of Visiting Consultant Office – EHS, affirmed that the award embodies the organization’s vision of building an integrated, evidence-based mental health system. She emphasized that EHS places great importance on supporting scientific research as a cornerstone for developing mental healthcare policies and improving patient outcomes, in line with national directions to enhance community well-being and ensure the sustainability of leading healthcare services.
For his part, Dr. Ammar Al Banna, Director, Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital , Emirates Health Services, UAE, noted that the “Al Amal Award” has become a motivating platform for researchers, physicians, and students to develop innovative research projects in mental health. He stressed that research based on partnership with patients represents a fundamental pillar in advancing clinical practice and elevating the quality of mental healthcare, in alignment with the vision of Emirates Health Services.
The organization of the award coincided with the announcement of significant research achievements by Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, as the number of peer-reviewed research papers published exceeded 100 in prestigious international journals. The hospital also recorded notable growth in annual research output and an expansion of joint research with global universities and research centers—clear indicators of the maturity of the research environment fostered by this platform.
These studies were published in high-impact international journals, including leading titles such as “The Lancet”, underscoring a strong focus on research quality and scientific and clinical impact. They were also presented at prominent international scientific conferences in the United States and Europe, as well as local and regional conferences, enhancing knowledge exchange and reinforcing the UAE’s global scientific presence.
The third edition of the “Al Amal Award” concluded with the honoring of winners across several research and academic categories, in recognition of their qualitative contributions to the development of the mental health sector and to strengthening the UAE’s position as a leading regional and global hub for scientific research and high-quality healthcare.
Emirates Scholar Center for Research and Studies played an active role in supporting the scientific publication of the conference outcomes by contributing to the publication of more than 100 specialized research papers in mental health fields. This reflects the Center’s commitment to promoting rigorous scientific research, advancing specialized knowledge, and supporting academic efforts aimed at improving mental health in accordance with the latest scientific methodologies and approved research standards.
