Habiba Al-Saffar…the first Emirati scientist to win the Belgian Order of Leopold in the rank of “Knight”

Professor Habiba Al-Saffar, Dean of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at Khalifa University of Science and Technology, was awarded the Leopold Medal with the rank of “Knight,” becoming the first Emirati scientist to receive this distinguished title. The Leopold Medal is one of three national honors with the title “Knight” in Belgium, and it is the oldest and highest honor in Belgium. It was established in honor of King Leopold I, and is awarded to individuals who have made exceptional contributions in their fields.

This honor comes after years of scientific cooperation between the UAE and Belgium, in which Professor Habiba Al-Saffar played a pivotal role in strengthening the distinguished research partnership in the field of biomedical science discovery, which was launched in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and King Philippe, King of Belgium.

Antoine Delcour, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to the UAE, presented the prestigious medal on behalf of the King of Belgium to Professor Habiba Al-Saffar in recognition of her scientific achievements and her role in promoting international cooperation in the field of medical research. The honoring was attended by Hamid Abdullah Al Shammari, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Khalifa University, and Amal Al Jabri, CEO of Khalifa University Projects Company, in addition to a number of senior officials from the Belgian Embassy in the country, leaders and members of the academic staff and students at Khalifa University, which highlights the importance of the occasion and the regional status of this medal.

Delcourt said: “The Knight of the Order of Leopold is the oldest decoration in the Kingdom of Belgium and is given to people who have provided exceptional services through their leadership, achievements and contribution to achieving the public good. The order is also an appreciation for distinguished professional life, in addition to integrity, perseverance and a sense of responsibility towards others.”


He added: “By awarding you the Order of Leopold with the rank of Knight, the King of Belgium honors your exceptional scientific career, as well as the friendship and trust that unite the two countries, as your work, leadership, and vision with us deeply embody the phrase (Belgian-Emirati friendship).”

Professor Ibrahim Al-Hajri, President of Khalifa University, said: “Honoring Professor Habiba Al-Saffar as the first Emirati scientist to receive the Order of Leopold from Belgium is a proud moment for Khalifa University and the scientific community in the UAE. Her research work confirms the level of excellence, integrity and global cooperation that constitutes our research mission at Khalifa University. This honor also reflects the UAE’s growing status as a center for scientific discovery in the field of biomedicine. In this regard, We look forward to supporting more achievements that advance scientific progress and serve society, and we are proud to recognize Professor Habiba’s achievements at such a high level.”

Commenting on this achievement, Professor Habiba Al-Saffar said: “Being awarded the title of “Knight” in the Leopold Order represents an exceptional honor that I receive with great gratitude, as this honor reflects the spirit of cooperation between the UAE and Belgium and goes beyond considering it an individual achievement to embody the advanced level of the educational system in the UAE and the teamwork of researchers, doctors, students and partners who support our vision at Khalifa University.

Our efforts in genomics and precision medicine have focused on addressing the real challenges facing communities in this region, while building bridges with global institutions. Therefore, this honor gives me an incentive to continue strengthening international partnerships and contributing to research that improves healthcare outcomes in a way that benefits future generations.”

Professor Habiba has led numerous national and international research initiatives in the fields of genomics and precision medicine at the level of Belgium and the UAE, thus contributing to developing the country’s capabilities in advanced research in the healthcare sector. She has also led progress in the academic, research and innovation sectors, as Dean of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, and has contributed to supporting strategic initiatives that are in line with national priorities in the health sector and the UAE’s vision for medical excellence.

The Scientific Discovery Program in Biomedicine is a prominent scientific cooperation between the UAE (represented by Khalifa University) and the Kingdom of Belgium (represented by the Institute of Biotechnology at the University of Leuven), and aims to transform the UAE into a global center for precision medicine and drug development. The program also focuses on developing immunotherapy drugs for diabetes and cancer using advanced genomic technologies and target discovery supported by artificial intelligence and platforms for rapid proof of discovery of mysterious genes that cause diseases and accelerating the process of developing new treatments. The program also encourages information exchange, mobility of Emirati scientists, and capacity building by enabling young researchers to train in both countries through a joint doctoral program, and enhances innovation, scientific competitiveness, and healthcare impact at the national level.

This honor highlights the strengthening of the growing ties between the UAE and the Kingdom of Belgium in various fields, including science, healthcare and innovation, and also highlights Professor Habiba’s continuing contributions to scientific research and academic development.