Profile: Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi

His Highness Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, was born in 1956 as the fourth son of Shaikh Saqr Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi.

He completed his primary and secondary education in Ras Al Khaimah and at 17 went to the American University of Beirut to study economics.

He has a bachelor's degree in political science and economics from the University of Michigan in the US.

After completing his degree, he was appointed as head of the Emiri Court in 1979 to assist his father in the administration of the emirate. He was appointed as Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah in 2003.

He receives an honourary doctorate from the University of Bolton at the first degree congregation ceremony of the University of Bolton-Ras Al Khaimah campus in 2010.

He held various posts in the emirate such as Chairman of the Civic Council and Head of the RAK Fathers' Council for Education. He also heads several companies and financial establishments, including Julphar, Ras Al Khaimah Ceramic Factory and Al Manal Shopping Centre.

At present he also hold the posts of Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah Emiri Court and Chancellor of Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University.

He issued a decree in 2005 to establish the RAK Investment Authority to make further development in the emirate.

Source: Gulf News Archives