Art initiative by AWR and ZEEKR with ZeeArts at AUS

AW Rostamani Group (AWR), one of the nation’s leading conglomerates and the official distributor of ZEEKR EVs in the UAE, earlier announced ZEEKR’s collaboration with ZeeArts Gallery on the ‘Mobility and Sustainability through Arts’ initiative during the American University of Sharjah (AUS) Giving Campaign. The AUS Giving Campaign unites communities to support the next generation through education. The programme focused on supporting AUS student scholarships, particularly for students with disabilities, as well as those facing financial and social challenges.

Inspired by the vision of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of AUS, who champions youth empowerment through education and engagement, the initiative blended art and design to raise awareness of the role of sustainable mobility in creating a greener future. It also promoted a mobile and sustainable lifestyle. The initiative also highlighted ZEEKR’s commitment to education and promoting sustainability to contribute to a brighter future.

Cannon Wang, Regional Managing Director, ZEEKR Middle East & Africa, said: “We are excited to support American University of Sharjah’s AUS Giving Campaign through the ‘Mobility and Sustainability through Arts’ initiative. At ZEEKR, our mission extends beyond delivering premium electric mobility solutions; we are dedicated to fostering education and sustainability within the communities we serve. By blending art and technology, we aim to inspire students to envision and create a sustainable future. This collaboration with ZeeArts Gallery underscores our commitment to empowering the next generation and driving positive change.”

Roberto Colucci, Director of Electric Mobility at ZEEKR AWR, said that “we’re honoured to join this transformative initiative. At ZEEKR AWR, we’re proud to inspire the younger generation through sustainability and art, as ZEEKR models are designed blending aesthetics with technology to redefine mobility. At AW Rostamani Group, we believe in providing quality opportunities, especially in education - which is why we partnered with ZeeArts to support scholarships and empower individuals to reach their potential.”

Dr. Tod Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, said: “The ‘Mobility and Sustainability through Arts’ initiative advances our mission to ensure inclusive and transformative opportunities for our students. By integrating art, technology and sustainable practices, this collaboration not only addresses global challenges but also empowers our students to become leaders and innovators. We remain committed to fostering a supportive environment where every student has the chance to excel and contribute to shaping a sustainable future.”

This year’s giving campaign culminated on November 13, offering participants the chance to make a lasting impact. On that day, a live painting event featured renowned artist Shahul Hameed Saludheen collaborating with more than 30 AUS students, to create a three-metre mural symbolising progress and sustainable growth. The artwork was auctioned under the patronage of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, with proceeds benefiting AUS scholarships. In November, students also had the opportunity to explore ZEEKR’s latest models, including the ZEEKR X and ZEEKR 001, and build lasting memories through interacting with the brand - adding an instructive aspect to the event.

AW Rostamani (AWR) Group, founded in 1954 in Dubai, UAE, is one of the Middle East’s leading conglomerates, with 3,000 employees, a turnover of over $2 billion, with a presence in the UAE, India and the United Kingdom. Its subsidiaries work across a diverse range of sectors including automotive, real estate, retail, lighting solutions, travel and logistics. Arabian Automobiles, an internationally renowned business of AWR, is the exclusive distributor of Nissan, Infiniti, and Renault across Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

In 2023, AWR Group announced its partnership with Chery, the globally renowned Chinese automobile brand, ZEEKR and SMART, the global premium electric mobility technology brands in the UAE. ZEEKR (NYSE: ZK) is the global premium electric mobility technology brand from Geely Holding Group. It aims to create a fully integrated user ecosystem with innovation as a standard. The brand utilises Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) and includes its own battery technologies, battery management systems, electric motor technologies, and electric vehicle supply chain. ZEEKR seeks equality, diversity and sustainability, and its ambition is to become an authentic mobility solution provider. ZEEKR operates its R&D centre and design studios in Ningbo, Hangzhou, Gothenburg, and Shanghai and boasts state-of-the-art facilities and world-class expertise. Since ZEEKR began delivering vehicles in 2021, it has delivered over 300,000 vehicles to date.