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SHARE A university professor told of his pride in receiving UAE citizenship for his significant contribution to the country. Hassan Arafat, director of the Centre for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology at Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, was among the first residents to secure citizenship as part of a new process announced by the country this year. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, outlined the decision in January to nominate leading figures, including engineers, doctors and scientists, for citizenship in recognition of their outstanding work. A top chemical engineer, Prof Arafat, 47, from Amman, Jordan, received an Emirati passport in March, a few weeks after he received a phone call to say he was nominated based on his scientific achievements. ....
SHARE Academics granted long-term residency two years ago say the sense of security has immensely benefited their work. Expatriate professors, who work at universities across the UAE, said they never expected the years they spent hunched inside laboratories, conducting exhaustive research, would see them hand-picked for the 10-year golden visa. A citizenship programme announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, in January has triggered renewed excitement in university circles. The initiative seeks to grant Emirati citizenship to talented and innovative people and, for the first time, allows non-Emiratis to retain their original citizenship. Senior academics said a shot at citizenship would strengthen contributions to the country’s grand scientific vision and encourage involvement in policy initiatives. ....