Habiba Alsafar Becomes First UAE Scientist To Receive Belgium’s Knight In Order Of Leopold

Professor Habiba Alsafar from Khalifa University of Science and Technology has been honoured with Belgium’s prestigious Knight in the Order of Leopold. This makes her the first UAE scientist to receive this accolade. Her recognition follows years of collaboration between the UAE and Belgium, notably through her involvement in the Biomedical Science Discovery (BISDI) partnership.

The award was presented by Antoine Delcourt, Ambassador of Belgium to the UAE, on behalf of King Philippe. The ceremony was attended by notable figures such as Homaid Al Shimmari, Vice-Chairman of Khalifa University's Board of Trustees, and other senior officials. This event underscored the importance of Prof. Alsafar's contributions to international medical research.

The Order of Leopold is Belgium’s oldest national order of knighthood, established in honour of King Leopold I. It recognises individuals who have made exceptional contributions through leadership and public service. Antoine Delcourt stated: "The Order of Leopold is the oldest Order of Knighthood in the Kingdom of Belgium. It is awarded to individuals who have rendered exceptional service through their leadership, their achievements, and their contribution to the public good."

Prof. Ebrahim Al Hajri, President of Khalifa University, expressed pride in Prof. Alsafar's achievement, highlighting its significance for both the university and the UAE's scientific community. He noted that her work exemplifies excellence and global collaboration, reinforcing the UAE’s status as a hub for biomedical discovery.

Prof. Alsafar has spearheaded numerous research initiatives in genomics and precision medicine across Belgium and the UAE. As Dean of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, she has advanced academia and innovation aligned with national health priorities. Her efforts have significantly contributed to developing advanced healthcare research capabilities in the UAE.

The BISDI Programme represents a flagship collaboration between Khalifa University in the UAE and VIB-KU Leuven in Belgium. It aims to establish the UAE as a global centre for precision medicine and drug development by focusing on immunotherapy drugs for diabetes and cancer using advanced genomic technologies.

Impact on Healthcare Research

BISDI promotes knowledge exchange and capacity-building by enabling young researchers to train in both countries through a Joint PhD Program. This initiative strengthens innovation, scientific competitiveness, and national healthcare impact by fostering Emirati scientist mobility.

Prof. Alsafar remarked: "Receiving the title of Knight in the Order of Leopold is an extraordinary honor, and one that I accept with deep gratitude." She emphasised that this recognition reflects not only her individual achievements but also the growing maturity of the UAE’s scientific ecosystem.

The knighthood highlights Prof. Alsafar’s long-standing contributions to research and academic development while underscoring growing ties between the UAE and Belgium across science, healthcare, and innovation fields.

With inputs from WAM