Khalaf Al Habtoor selected among Leading Intellectuals of the World

The third edition of leading people includes some 500 influential men and women from around the world "whose deeds rise above their contemporaries and whose achievements certainly are worthy of note by others". Those chosen for inclusion were determined by the Board of the Organization through a non-discriminating process based entirely upon merit.

The institute is assisted in its search for those prominent men and women by colleges and universities, professors, business leaders, community and professional groups, government and public officials and others who are in positions of importance. In addition, the board of advisors, which consists of 6.500 members worldwide, helps in the process as well. The Institute "takes pride in its strict selection procedures.... As the honor of being selected cannot be obtained merely by request or by any purchase".

In its biography of Mr. Al Habtoor, the Board of the Institute noted that he is a self-made man. He began his career as an employee in a local construction company, then founded his own contracting company, Al Habtoor Engineering Enterprises LLC in 1970. The company developed rapidly to become one of the biggest contracting firms in the Gulf.

A past member of the National Council, he was also a former member of the Board of Directors of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and was the Chairman of the Commercial Bank of Dubai for 3 years. In 1975, he founded Al Ittihad Private School, and in 1991, launched Emirates International School that developed quickly to become one of the top leading schools in the UAE, with around 2.000 students that represent over 80 nationalities.

A few weeks earlier, Mr. Khalaf Ahmed Al Habtoor has been honoured by the American University College of Science & Technology, where at the graduation ceremony held in Beirut on July 26, university president Hiam Sakr bestowed upon him the Doctorate Honoris Causa in Humane Letters (Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters).

Currently, Mr. Al Habtoor is the Chairman of the Al Habtoor Group and Dubai National Insurance and Reinsurance Company. Al Habtoor Group has diversified its businesses, and presently active in several sectors such as hospitality, contracting, education, automobiles, etc.