Sharjah Ruler signs agreement with France's Institut Gustave Roussy

Sharjah, April 1, 2013 (WAM) - H. H. Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council member and ruler of Sharjah, and Supreme President of the University of Sharjah, has hailed cooperation between the university and France's Institut Gustave Roussy. He also commended the French government for supporting this cooperation between the two sides. Sheikh Sultan made his remarks yesterday as he signed a cooperation agreement with the Institut Gustave Roussy to establish a breast cancer centre at the University of Sharjah Hospital. "The fruitful cooperation between the two sides started back in 2009 during my visit to the French institute. Then, I had the dream of completing the university hospital. We worked on equipping it with all that is needed. I would not say we caught up with the Institut Gustave Roussy, but we are not way behind it. God willing, soon we will be," H.H Sheikh Sultan said. "Cooperation on oncology started as Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, the Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, insisted not only for establishing a breast cancer center, but also for a children cancer centre. This will be a bigger project than the existing one. We, God willing, will see the first surgery performed at the centre after six weeks as the centre has been made ready under the supervision of French medicine professors. I wish recovery for all those who come to the centre to receive treatment," Sheikh Sultan said. The new facility will also feature a hotel to enable families from the UAE and other Gulf countries to stay close to their children who receive treatment at the centre. Sheikh Sultan thanked the French government for also providing facilities for individuals delegated by the government of Sharjah for humanitarian cooperation. He said the Centre will open its doors to all people, stressing that there will be no discrimination based on identity. The University of Sharjah is a comprehensive academic institution with a distinctive learning style and a global vision. It is a pioneer in academia, scientific research and the arts in the UAE and the GCC region. All programs are accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Professor Alexander M.M. Eggermont is Director of the Institut Gustave Roussy, in his speech, hailed the relations with the University of Sharjah and the efforts of the Friends of Cancer Patients Society. The Institute Gustave-Roussy (IGR) is the leading cancer-research institute and the biggest health centre dedicated to oncology in Europe. – Emirates News Agency, WAM