Prof. Rafia Ghubash is the first qualified psychiatrist in the UAE . Shehad a successful career in psychiatry including the accomplishment ofconducting pioneering epidemiological research on the sociocultural riskfactors for psychiatric disorders in the UAE community and attained thePhD at University of London. She conducted other studies in appliedmental health research and published 45 papers in international peer-reviewed journals.

Notwithstanding her successful career in academic psychiatry, open forher the opportunity to take up leadership positions in medical educationas Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at UAEUniversity 1992-2000 and rapidly progressing to become the first womanPresident of the Arabian Gulf University 2001-2009. She successfullycompleted eight years as President with many achievements includinginnovations in medical education.

She then grew out of psychiatry enriched with the vision and missiontowards better mental health for all: from person centred to peoplecentred approaches to more positive mental health.

She concludes with the notion that humans are more whole and completewhen they become better routed, more true to and harmonious with theirculture, values and traditions and experience less alienation and bettermental health.

On the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day (8 March2011),Women Deliver organization announce that Prof. Rafia ObaidGhubash have been chosen as one of the “The most inspiring individualsdelivering for women" among Women Deliver 100.

Prof. Rafia’s many and varied educational, social and intellectualcontributions to national, regional and international organizations isreflected in her membership of professional associations and civicorganizations, such as:

Board of Trustees Dubai Cutlure, (2014 - current)
Board of Trustees Emirates airline festival of Literature, (2014 - current)Board of trustees in The Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Foundation, (2014 -current)

Councilor membership of the World Future Council in Germany (2003 -current)
Membership of the Advisory Council for UNDP, (2003 -current)
Board of Trustees for the Sheikh Khalifa Educational Awards in UAE,(2009 – 2013)

WHO’s Scientific Committees (2008-2001)

Her many honors and awards include:
The Rashid Awards for Distinguished Scientist (1988 and 1992),

Al-Owais Research Award (1992, 1994 and 1995),
Award of Distinction for Citizens from Umalmomenien Women Association (2002),
Sheikh Hamden bin Rashid Award for Medical Sciences (2003/ 2004).

Taryam Omran Jouranilsm Awards 2012
Arab Women Award; Education 2012
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patron of Arts Award 2013

Cultural Personality of the Year in Al Owais Creative Award, 2014

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