Burjeel chief announces Dh2.5m to support families of doctors and medical students killed in Air India crash
16 June 2025 15:59
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Abu Dhabi-based doctor and Burjeel Holding chairman Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil has announced Dh2.5 million (60 million rupees) in financial aid for the families of medical students and doctors affected by the Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad, a statement from his office said. The tragic incident occurred on June 12, when a Boeing 787 aircraft crashed into the hostel and mess blocks of BJ Medical College. The impact killed four young MBBS students and at least five family members of doctors living on campus, while dozens more were injured. Moved by the magnitude of the tragedy—and drawing from his own years living in medical hostels during his education in Mangalore and Chennai—Dr. Shamsheer said the images of the devastation resonated deeply.'I saw the footage from the mess and the hostel, and it truly shook me,' he said. 'Those students started the day thinking about lectures, assignments, and patients. Their lives ended in a way none of us could ever imagine. It hit close. Too close.'The relief package includes ₹10 million for each of the four students' families, ₹2 million each for five seriously injured students, and ₹2 million each for the families of doctors who lost loved ones. The aid will be disbursed in coordination with the Junior Doctors' Association at BJ Medical College.Among those killed were four medical students — Jaiprakash Choudhary, Manav Bhadu, Aaryan Rajput and Rakesh Diyora. Among the injured is third-year student Ritesh Kumar Sharma, who was trapped under debris for hours with severe leg injuries. Many students lost not only friends but a sense of security and normalcy.'This support is not just financial; it is symbolic,' Dr. Shamsheer said. 'These students were preparing to serve others. Their memories must not fade into headlines. We must carry forward the dreams they didn't get to fulfil.'
Dr. Shamsheer, who also stepped in to support victims of the 2010 Mangalore air crash, said this tragedy felt personal in a different way. 'These young men were part of the same fraternity I once belonged to. To have that life stolen, so violently, so suddenly, is heartbreaking.'
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Zawya
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- Zawya
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Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman, Department of Health - Abu Dhabi 12:05 12:45 Panel 'The Leap to Longevity: Forever Healthy' Moderated by Amandeep Bhangu, Presenter & Moderator Voice Media London H.E. Ibrahim Al Jallaf, Executive Director of Digital Health, Department of Health - Abu Dhabi Dr. Tiffany Vora, Expert & Singularity Fellow in Biotechnology, Singularity University and Non-resident Senior Fellow at the GeoTech Center for the Atlantic Council. PhD. Georges-Pascal Haber, CEO, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi Dimitris Moulavasilis, CEO, M42 12:45 13:15 Panel 'Intelligence From Space: The New Frontiers on Earth' Moderated by Talal M. Al Kaissi, EVP, Chief Government Affairs & Partnerships Officer - Core42 & Group Chief Global Affairs Officer, G42 Karim Sabbagh, MD, Space42 H.E. Eng. Salem Butti Al Qubaisi, Director General, UAE Space Agency Greg Wyler, Founder, CEO & Chief Architect, E-Space 13:15 15:05 LUNCH BREAK 15:05 15:45 Panel 'AI-Native Nations: Smarter Lives Unlocked' Moderated by Brian Lott, Group Chief Communications Officer, Mubadala Opening Remarks by H.E. Dr. Mohamed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, Head of the UAE Cybersecurity Council Thomas Pramotedham, CEO, Presight Kiril Evtimov, Group CTO, G42 & CEO, Core 42 Rod Solaimani, Middle East Policy & Partnerships Lead, OpenAI 15:45 16:25 Panel 'Responsible Intelligence: Igniting The Future' Moderated Faheem Ahamed, Group CMO, G42 H.E. Ahmed Al Shamsi, CEO, Emirates Foundation Andrew Jackson, Group Chief AI Officer Baroness Joanna Shields, Founder and CEO of Precognition Natasha Crampton, VP, Chief Responsible AI Officer, Microsoft 16:25 16:30 Bee:Wild documentary presentation Faheem Ahamed 16:30 17:30 BREAK 17:30 18:00 Keynote 'The AI-Physical AI Revolution: More Than Humans' Alex Kipman, CEO, Analog 18:00 18:30 Fireside Chat 'AI First Organizations: Augmented Thought Leadership' Maymee Kurian, Group Chief Human Capital & Culture Officer, G42 Josh Bersin, Founder and CEO, The Josh Bersin Company 18:30 19:00 Closing Remarks Peng Xiao, Group CEO, G42 Sam Altman, Founder and CEO, OpenAI 19:00 21:00 DINNER Across breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between, Supercharged guests will experience the Global Food Grid - a curated culinary journey celebrating the richness of global traditions. Guests can choose between four immersive dining paths, each inspired by a different region of the world: the Middle East and India, the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Performance by acclaimed composer David Chesky and his Jazz Trio band 21:00 00:00 EVENING ENTERTAINMENT 9:00 PM - 9:45 PM Raphy J, an Amsterdam-born open format DJ and music producer, will bring his global sound to the stage. With a career spanning London, New York, LA, and now Dubai, Raphy J is known for his genre-spanning performances—seamlessly mixing Pop, R&B, Afrobeats, House, Latin, Arabic, and Hindi music. His sets have lit up stages at venues like Expo 2020, Time Out Market, and the Museum of the Future. ABOUT G42 G42 is a technology holding group and a global leader in creating visionary artificial intelligence for a better tomorrow. Born in Abu Dhabi and operating worldwide, G42 champions AI as a powerful force for good across industries. From molecular biology to space exploration and everything in between, G42 realizes exponential possibilities today. Media contact TrailRunner International – G42@
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- Khaleej Times
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Arabian Post
a day ago
- Arabian Post
Tanoto Foundation Backs Landmark Research to Unlock the Code of Asian Prevalent Diseases
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The two research projects, from National Cancer Centre Singapore and Singapore General Hospital, will focus on filling these gaps through deep genomic studies and innovative risk-prediction models. ADVERTISEMENT Imelda Tanoto, Member of the Board of Trustees, Tanoto Foundation said: 'Singapore is well-positioned to lead in medical science. It has strong research institutions and a population that reflects the diversity of Asia. By supporting researchers here who are focused on health issues that affect Asians, we hope to help drive discoveries that make a real difference to people's lives — both in Singapore and across the region.' Tackling Asian-Prevalent Cancers Led by Dr Jason Chan, Medical Oncologist, National Cancer Centre Singapore, the research will investigate four types of cancers with high prevalence and poor outcomes in Asia: Breast Cancer in Asian Women, marked by earlier onset and biological differences compared to Western populations T/NK-Cell Lymphomas, an aggressive blood cancer dominant in East Asians with limited treatment options Bile Duct Cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma), increasingly linked to environmental exposures specific to Asia Rare Asian Cancers, collectively neglected but accounting for up to 25% of all cases in the region These cancers are devastating but remain poorly understood because most research has focused on Western populations,' said Dr Chan. 'By decoding their molecular and genomic landscapes in Asian patients, we want to uncover new diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities to benefit patients.' A key feature of the project is its open-access commitment: anonymised data will be freely available to the broader research community to accelerate further discovery and collaboration. Unmasking Diabetes Risk in Young Singaporeans The second research project, led by Dr Daphne Gardner, Endocrinologist, Singapore General Hospital, will address the rising incidence of Type 2 diabetes in young adults, particularly prevalent in Singapore, where 1 in 5 young adults have prediabetes or diabetes, despite being of normal weight. ADVERTISEMENT Unlike traditional assessments that rely heavily on BMI and family history, this project will develop a next-generation risk prediction tool by incorporating non-traditional indicators such as body fat distribution, continuous glucose monitoring, and health-seeking behaviour. 'Many young Asians with diabetes don't fit the usual risk profile. They're lean, active, and often overlooked by current screening models,' said Dr Gardner. 'We want to change that by identifying new risk signals and developing tools that are tailored to Singapore's population and beyond.' Findings from the study aim to inform national diabetes screening guidelines and lead to earlier interventions that can curb long-term complications. Singapore as a Hub for Medical Research Advancement In addition to previously supported research projects, these two initiatives reflect a growing recognition of Singapore's role in advancing precision medicine for Asian populations, driven by strong clinical infrastructure, genomic capabilities, and public-private partnerships. Imelda Tanoto added: 'We believe precision health can change how we treat and prevent diseases. We're supporting researchers who are not only breaking new ground, but also making sure their work reaches people and communities across Asia. This is something deeply personal to us — it's about improving lives in a way that's inclusive, meaningful, and lasting.' This announcement marks a key milestone in Tanoto Foundation's continuing effort to improve the quality of healthcare and health standards, leading to longer and better healthspans. Hashtag: #TanotoFoundation The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Tanoto Foundation At Tanoto Foundation, we unlock human potential, help communities thrive, and create lasting impact. Founded in 1981 by Sukanto Tanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto, we are an independent family foundation that believes in providing every person with the opportunity to realize his or her full potential. To do so, we catalyse systems change in education and healthcare. Our approach is impact-first, collaborative, and evidence-based. We invest for the long term and strive to develop leaders who can drive sustained, positive outcomes. More information is available at
