The internships are initially being financed through a unique fund raising project staged during Ramadan 2008. The 14 Rotana properties in the UAE collaborated to raise at least Dhs 300,000 under a contribution scheme labelled "Small Gesture, Great Significance." Every Rotana property has contributed Dhs 5 for each guest's nightly stay, during the holy month.

The Dhs 313, 000 raised will support environmental internships for Emirati students and recent graduates who are working in government agencies, NGOs, and businesses - so as to promote awareness and encourage career choices which contribute to the nation's environmental sustainability. 

The Emirates Foundation - one of the nation's leading philanthropic institutions - is working with UAE universities which offer environmental science studies to identify intern candidates, to encourage relevant agencies to receive the volunteers, and to supervise volunteer activities.

Funds raised through the partnership with Rotana, together with contributions from the Foundation itself, will provide stipends for interns that fund up to 50 undergraduate and 25 graduate students each year. The Rotana Hotel Management Corporation Ltd will be a member of the advisory committee that steers the project.

The Emirates Foundation has already reached agreement with leading universities, which are already identifying likely interns and internship opportunities.

Emirates Foundation CEO Peter Cleaves commented: "We are grateful to Rotana for their keenness to work with us on this long term educational project for the environment. We applaud their original method of fund raising, and the welcome that it has received from many of their guests.

"If the project attracts the enthusiasm that we expect from both interns and organizations, then there is great potential to expand its reach next year and afterwards."

 Selim El Zyr, President & CEO of the Rotana, added: "Rotana believes strongly in the work of the Emirates Foundation. As a leading regional hotel group, with a strong base in the UAE, we wanted to make a significant contribution to the Foundation's work this Ramadan: we are delighted at the success of our room-night initiative."