UAE Central Bank Honors AI University with Exclusive Commemorative Coin Release
The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates has unveiled a special, limited-edition collection of gold and silver commemorative coins. This prestigious issuance celebrates the fifth anniversary of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), formally recognizing the institution's remarkable growth and academic achievements since it first welcomed students in 2020.
Ceremonial Release Coincides with University Anniversary
The launch of these coins is timed with the university's ongoing fifth-anniversary celebrations, which highlight its work, research impact, and development from its inception in 2020 through to 2025. In a significant detail, the coins have been delivered directly to the university itself. They will not be available for public sale through the central bank or MBZUAI, emphasizing their ceremonial and symbolic nature.
Intricate Design and Symbolic Imagery
Gold Coin Design: The obverse (front) of the gold coin prominently features the university's iconic Knowledge Centre building. It is flanked by the years 2020 and 2025, marking the five-year period. Encircling this central image is the inscription "Power from Knowledge to Serve", along with the university's full name in both Arabic and English and its official logo. The reverse side carries the distinguished UAE national emblem, surrounded by the name "Central Bank of the UAE" in Arabic and English.
Silver Coin Design: The silver coin also depicts the Knowledge Centre on its obverse, paired with the anniversary years 2020 and 2025. This design is further enhanced with elaborate geometric motifs and framed by the university's name in Arabic and English, accompanied by its logo. The reverse displays the nominal value of AED50, encircled by the inscription "Central Bank of the UAE" in both languages.
Limited Edition Underlines Symbolic Value
The commemorative release is exceptionally limited in quantity, consisting of only 10 gold coins and 500 silver coins. Each coin weighs 50 grams. This small issuance underscores that the release is intended as a formal, symbolic recognition of the university's milestone, not as a commercial or numismatic offering for the general public.
Aligning with National Strategic Priorities
The central bank stated that this initiative reflects a broader institutional commitment to highlighting national education projects that are in direct alignment with the UAE's long-term development goals. The timing of the release mirrors MBZUAI's five-year journey within the country's rapidly expanding and strategically vital artificial intelligence ecosystem.
Leadership Perspectives on the Milestone
Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri, Assistant Governor for Banking Operations and Support Services at the central bank, commented on the issuance. He stated that the commemorative coins recognize MBZUAI as a specialized academic model that actively supports the UAE's vision of building a knowledge- and innovation-driven economy for the future.
Echoing this sentiment, Eric Xing, President and University Professor at MBZUAI, described the coin issuance as a meaningful and profound acknowledgement of the university's role in the nation's strategic evolution. He noted that this recognition reflects the UAE's decisive policy to place artificial intelligence at the very core of its national agenda, effectively linking the country's rich heritage with the promising future of advanced technology.
