Latest news with #CUD
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
FILAMENT HEALTH ENTERS INTO EXCLUSIVE LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM FOR DATA FROM A CLINICAL TRIAL OF PSILOCYBIN FOR THE TREATMENT OF COCAINE USE DISORDER
The data supports Filament's PEX010 drug development program targeting stimulant use disorders PEX010 is a first-in-class botanical psilocybin drug candidate currently under investigation in 52 clinical trials worldwide for 14 mental health indications VANCOUVER, BC, June 17, 2025 /CNW/ - Filament Health Corp. (OTC: FLHLF) ("Filament" or the "Company"), a clinical–stage natural psychedelic drug development company, today announced that it has entered into an exclusive global license agreement with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) for intellectual property related to a recently completed Phase 2 placebo-controlled clinical trial of psilocybin as a treatment for cocaine use disorder (CUD). The study investigated the safety and efficacy of a single-dose of psilocybin compared to placebo comparator in 40 adult patients with severe CUD. The trial was led by Principal Investigator Peter Hendricks, Ph.D., University Professor and Heersink Endowed Chair of Psychiatry at the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, and a globally recognized expert in psychedelic-assisted therapies for addiction. "The results of the study demonstrated that psilocybin was well-tolerated and that a single dose resulted in a significant and durable reduction in cocaine use among people with CUD who were representative of cocaine users from the Deep South region of the United States. This is notable as most psychedelic trials fail to recruit participants representative of the population of those who could benefit from care.," said Dr. Hendricks. "We expect to have our data published in a peer-reviewed journal later this year and are excited to contribute to the science and possibly help bring to the clinic a promising treatment for cocaine and other stimulant use disorders in the future." Filament has obtained rights to access and use the data, know-how, and associated intellectual property from the clinical study, in furtherance of the Company's own proprietary development programs in stimulant use disorders. The partnership will also enable Dr. Hendricks to serve as an advisor to Filament Health and to advance research into other substance use conditions. "This agreement marks an important step in our mission to advance PEX010 and our other programs for the treatment of patients with stimulant use disorders," said Benjamin Lightburn, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Filament. "We are a leading developer of psychedelic drug candidates for substance use disorders and other mental health conditions. The positive data from Dr. Hendricks' trial, as well as his knowledge of clinical practices and ongoing counsel, will be significant assets in facilitating the advancement of our research." ABOUT FILAMENT HEALTH (OTC:FLHLF)Filament Health is a clinical-stage natural psychedelic drug development company. We believe that safe, standardized, naturally-derived psychedelic medicines can improve the lives of many, and our mission is to see them in the hands of everyone who needs them as soon as possible. Filament's platform of proprietary intellectual property enables the discovery, development, and delivery of natural psychedelic medicines for clinical development. We are paving the way with the first-ever natural psychedelic drug candidates. Learn more at and on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATIONCertain statements and information contained in this press release and the documents referred to herein may constitute "forward–looking statements" and "forward–looking information," respectively, under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward–looking information can be identified by the use of forward–looking terminology such as, "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "may", "will", "should", "believe", "intends", "forecast", "plans", "guidance" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward–looking statements or information. The forward–looking statements are not historical facts, but reflect the current expectations of management of Filament regarding future results or events and are based on information currently available to them. Certain material factors and assumptions were applied in providing these forward–looking statements. Forward–looking statements regarding the Company are based on the Company's estimates and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements of Filament to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward–looking statements or forward–looking information, including the timing and results of clinical trials, the ability of the parties to receive, in a timely manner and on satisfactory terms, the necessary regulatory, court and shareholders approvals; the ability of the parties to satisfy, in a timely manner, the other conditions to the completion of the proposed business combination; other expectations and assumptions concerning the transactions contemplated in the proposed business combination; the available funds of the parties and the anticipated use of such funds; the availability of financing opportunities; legal and regulatory risks inherent in the psychedelic drug development industry; risks associated with economic conditions, dependence on management and currency risk; risks relating to U.S. regulatory landscape; risks relating to anti-money laundering laws and regulation; other governmental and environmental regulation; public opinion and perception of the psychedelic drug development industry; risks related to the economy generally; risk of litigation; conflicts of interest; risks relating to certain remedies being limited and the difficulty of enforcement of judgments and effect service outside of Canada; and risks related to future acquisitions or dispositions. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward– looking statements and forward–looking information. Filament will not update any forward–looking statements or forward–looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE Filament Health Corp. View original content to download multimedia: Sign in to access your portfolio
Time Business News
04-06-2025
- Health
- Time Business News
Cannabis Use Disorder: Recognizing the Signs of Marijuana Addiction
Cannabis has undergone a dramatic transformation in the public eye—from stigmatized contraband to a widely accepted substance, often marketed as benign or even medicinal. While its therapeutic benefits for certain conditions are legitimate, a less discussed truth persists: cannabis can be addictive. Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) is a recognized mental health diagnosis with real consequences for those affected. Awareness of its signs is the first step toward meaningful intervention. Understanding the Link Between Stimulants and Attention Disorders Some individuals with ADHD may experience temporary relief from symptoms when using stimulants, but it's important to understand the distinction between medical treatments and harmful substances. Methamphetamine is a powerful and highly addictive stimulant that affects the brain's dopamine system, similar to prescription medications like Adderall,does meth help with adhd which are used to treat ADHD. However, while prescription stimulants are carefully dosed and monitored, meth is illegal and dangerous. Although people may believe meth helps with ADHD, it often leads to severe side effects, addiction, and long-term cognitive damage, making it an unsafe and ineffective treatment option. Defining Cannabis Use Disorder Cannabis Use Disorder is not mere overindulgence. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), it is characterized by a cluster of behavioral, physical, and psychological symptoms reflecting impaired control over use. Individuals with CUD may persist in their consumption despite significant personal, social, or professional disruption. The line between recreational use and disorder is often subtle, obscured by normalization and denial. Dependence develops when the user experiences both tolerance and withdrawal. Tolerance demands higher doses to achieve the desired effect, while withdrawal manifests when cessation leads to discomfort or dysfunction. These signs, when coupled with continued use, form the clinical foundation of addiction. Behavioral and Psychological Signs of Cannabis Addiction The behavioral patterns of CUD frequently begin with increased frequency. What starts as occasional use may escalate to daily or near-daily consumption. Users may express intentions to reduce their intake, only to relapse repeatedly. This cycle of attempted restraint and resumed use signals a loss of control. Psychologically, the individual may exhibit blunted ambition—a phenomenon colloquially dubbed 'amotivational syndrome.' Tasks once pursued with vigor now seem burdensome. Apathy replaces curiosity. Emotionally, cannabis dependency often breeds irritability, anxiety, or even mild paranoia. Thoughts may feel foggy, attention drifts, and short-term memory deteriorates. These symptoms do not exist in isolation; they interact, compounding dysfunction. Physical Indicators of Chronic Cannabis Use Though often viewed as non-threatening, chronic marijuana use can leave a physiological imprint. Inhalation of cannabis—particularly when combusted—can inflame the lungs, leading to chronic bronchitis-like symptoms: persistent coughing, wheezing, and phlegm production. Sleep architecture is also affected. While cannabis may initially induce drowsiness, prolonged use disrupts REM cycles, resulting in non-restorative sleep or even insomnia. Appetite patterns may also become dysregulated. Some individuals experience excessive hunger (the classic 'munchies'), while others notice erratic food intake. Withdrawal from cannabis, though often milder than that of opioids or alcohol, is nonetheless significant. Users may report tremors, restlessness, irritability, intense cravings, or gastrointestinal distress within 24–72 hours of cessation. Impact on Daily Functioning and Relationships As dependence deepens, the effects on daily life become undeniable. Academic performance may slip as concentration wanes. Job responsibilities are neglected. Timeliness and reliability erode. In some cases, individuals abandon pursuits they once valued, such as hobbies or creative endeavors. Social relationships often bear the brunt. Users may withdraw from loved ones, preferring solitude or only associating with fellow users. Deception around use becomes common—hiding cannabis, minimizing quantity, or becoming defensive when questioned. Responsibilities—whether domestic, financial, or familial—are routinely postponed or disregarded altogether. Risk Factors for Developing Cannabis Use Disorder Not everyone who uses cannabis will develop CUD. Certain factors, however, raise the risk. A family history of addiction suggests a genetic vulnerability. Co-occurring mental health conditions, particularly anxiety, depression, and attention disorders, increase susceptibility. The age of initial use plays a pivotal role. Adolescents and young adults are especially at risk, as their brains are still undergoing critical developmental changes. Additionally, today's cannabis strains, often cultivated to yield high THC concentrations, possess greater addictive potential than earlier iterations. Social environments that normalize or glamorize heavy use can reinforce unhealthy patterns. When to Seek Help and Available Treatment Options One of the most insidious aspects of CUD is the denial that often accompanies it. Users may dismiss their behavior as harmless or deny the extent of their dependency. However, once the patterns begin to interfere with quality of life, it is time to take action. Therapeutic interventions are available and effective. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is commonly used to address underlying thought patterns that drive compulsive use. Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) helps increase internal drive toward recovery. In some cases, contingency management—offering rewards for sobriety—has shown promise. Long-term recovery may also involve group therapy, mindfulness practices, and lifestyle restructuring. The journey is rarely linear. Relapse can occur. But with proper support, lasting recovery is achievable. Understanding the Differences Between Two Dangerous Drugs While meth and crack are both powerful and highly addictive stimulants, they are not the same. Meth, short for methamphetamine, is a synthetic drug often found in pill or powder form, while crack is a smokable form of cocaine made by processing cocaine hydrochloride with baking soda or ammonia. Each affects the brain differently—meth releases large amounts of dopamine, causing long-lasting highs,are meth and crack the same whereas crack produces intense but short-lived euphoria. Although both substances are harmful, meth tends to cause more severe long-term neurological damage. Understanding the differences between meth and crack is essential for recognizing their unique risks. Conclusion Cannabis Use Disorder is a legitimate, clinically recognized condition that merits serious attention. It is not confined to stereotypes or extremes. It can affect high-functioning professionals, students, and creatives alike. Recognizing the signs early allows for timely intervention and more successful outcomes. With the right treatment and support, individuals struggling with CUD can regain clarity, motivation, and control over their lives. Compassion—not judgment—is the foundation of healing. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas THC ban: The fight over hemp's future and a multibillion-dollar industry at stake
When patrons step into Planet K on Guadalupe Street, about a mile north of the University of Texas, it's immediately clear what its primary business is. Shelves fixed against the store's vibrant green walls are filled with a diverse array of consumable hemp products, most containing THC: gummies, vapes, infused beverages, smokable flowers, and accessories such as bongs, pipes and rolling papers. Those shelves may soon look dramatically different after the Texas Legislature last week passed a bill that would ban all products containing THC, potentially delivering a costly blow to the state's booming cannabis industry. If Gov. Greg Abbott signs Senate Bill 3 into law, Planet K's shelves come September would be limited to selections of nicotine products, such as pouches, cigarettes and some leaf tobacco, as well as counter-culture wearable buttons, T-shirts and sex toys. SB 3, which would ban all THC products in Texas, makes exceptions only for hemp containing non-psychoactive compounds such as CBD and CBG. The measure was spearheaded by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a three-term Republican who presides over the Texas Senate and has described the legislation a "life and death issue." Sen. Charles Perry, a Lubbock Republican, authored the bill. Some medical professionals, including a pediatrician spokesperson for the Texas Medical Association, share Patrick's concern that many potent THC products are too accessible to minors and those whose brains are still developing, a process the National Institutes of Health says may extend into a person's mid-to-late 20s. 'I've been a pediatrician for over 15 years, and there's a drastic difference with these new high-potency hemp-derived products sold at vape shops,' the TMA spokesperson said. That pediatrician and her colleagues report a rise in Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) and Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) — both of which are linked to early and chronic high-potency use. According to the Cleveland Clinic, those who use cannabis before age 18 are four to seven times more likely to develop CUD, while CHS can cause recurring vomiting in long-term users. Since 2019, when Texas lawmakers legalized hemp production and retail, the legal age for consuming products with low levels of THC has been 21 in Texas. Patrick, 75, who previously alleged some shops were selling consumable hemp to minors, was seen on security footage being asked for identification at a store in Austin in March. Opponents of SB 3 have advocated for tighter regulation of THC products, but Patrick has remained steadfast in pushing for an outright ban. 'We can't regulate it,' Patrick told NewsNation. 'We don't have enough police to check every store, when there are 8,000-9,000 of them. … To put it into perspective, we only have 1,100 McDonald's in the state of Texas; 1,300 Starbucks in the state of Texas. So, there are eight times more smoke shops selling this poison.' Just minutes into a news conference Patrick held at the Capitol on Wednesday, the lieutenant governor tossed a bag of THC-infused cereal bites to a reporter, after asking if anyone wanted some, before making clear his opposition wasn't limited to underage use. 'We don't want adults to have this either,' Patrick said, holding up a different bag of infused cereal bites. 'What are you? Crazy? You want to go home and eat a bag of this tonight and see if you're here tomorrow? "We don't want anybody buying anything off the shelf that could kill them or ruin their mental state for the rest of their lives.' Patrick also claimed shoppers have no idea what ingredients were in the THC products that he displayed at the news conference. But Hometown Hero ATX, which makes the cereal bites Patrick threw to a reporter, fired back on X, saying the lieutenant governor 'blatantly lied on multiple occasions' about its products. 'If you turn it (the package) over, you'll find a full ingredients list as well as nutritional information and a certificate of analysis on every product,' the brand posted. But it was a legislative loophole, not an influx of bad actors, that drove Texas' booming cannabis market. In 2019, a law sponsored by Perry legalized the production, manufacturing and sale of hemp in Texas while approving consumable products with up to 0.3% THC, the primary psychoactive component in the cannabis plant. However, other intoxicating hemp derivatives such as THCa, Delta-8 THC and Delta-10 THC — compounds that can produce a "high" when heated or processed — inadvertently were legalized for sale and consumption. 'You would think that they (those concerned about the public's safety) would want it to go the other way,' said a Planet K employee. 'If they legalize it, then they can regulate it, and then you can figure out what is in them, and not just say 'proprietary THC blend.'' Since then, more than 8,000 retailers, including Planet K and its 17 locations in Central Texas, now sell THC products in Texas. As a result, the state's hemp business has grown like a weed, employing 53,000 people and having an estimated economic impact of $10 billion, according to Austin Monthly. While some businesses, such as gas stations, convenience stores and some vape shops, will be able to withstand the ban, many others, like dispensaries and apothecaries, will likely be forced to close. Brothers Todd and Mickey Harris, owners of the Happy Cactus Apothecary in South Austin, the same shop in which Patrick was carded, believe the legislation would 'effectively shut down our business' and hurt the local economy. 'It mainly affects small, Texas-based, family-owned businesses,' Todd Harris said. 'It won't affect those huge companies that have a few shops in Texas but have shops all over. They'll just move all their money to other states, which will then take more money away from the commerce here in Texas.' All four states that border Texas have legal cannabis in some form. New Mexico's billion-dollar legal market brought in $32.7 million from its 12% excise tax in fiscal year 2024, while Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana have medicinal markets, with the latter also having decriminalized the drug. Estella Castro, who owns Austinite Cannabis Co. on East Cesar Chavez Street, also owns two locations in Southern Oklahoma and anticipates a boom in business for any smoke shops in the states bordering Texas. Within Texas' borders, the economic impact of the hemp industry extends far beyond the state's progressive cities, as many hemp farmers, some of whom live in Perry's West Texas district, are facing a threat to their livelihoods. 'Charles Perry says he has an open-door policy. That is an absolute lie,' Ann Gauger, co-owner of Caprock Family Farms in Lubbock, told the Texas Tribune. 'We've gone to his office in Austin, but he refuses to see us. 'We wouldn't be in the hemp business in a million years if they hadn't passed that bill. Now we're one of the largest hemp producers in the U.S., and their ban is going to shut that down.' Some farmers don't grow the drought-resistant crop to be used for cannabis products, as the plant has many industrial purposes, such as textile production, but farmers and Katharine Harris, a fellow in drug policy at Rice University, contend that legal hemp production without traces of THC is impossible. 'There are thousands of cannabinoids in the hemp plant, many of them non-impairing,' she said. 'Chemistry experts testified during the State Affairs Committee hearing that this language will make manufacturing and testing of remaining legal products nearly impossible.' Perry disagrees with this argument, maintaining that SB 3 doesn't interfere with industrial hemp production allowed under federal law. 'If you're under compliance with the federal law and you're doing stuff for fiber and stock and production for those other products that we hope to do, you didn't get affected by this,' Perry said at a news conference Wednesday. 'But if you're doing hemp that ultimately ended up as a Delta-8 (product) or Delta-10 (product), you're out of business, and you should be.' The potential ban comes after years of scientific study suggesting medicinal benefits of cannabinoids for many people, from veterans to cancer patients to insomniacs. A year-long peer-reviewed study published by the academic journal Frontiers of Molecular Neuroscience found that veterans exhibiting post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms who used cannabis were 2.57 times more likely to no longer meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD during the study period compared with non-users. Anecdotally, Castro and the Harris brothers maintain that a large portion of their customer base consists of older individuals seeking relief, rather than a high. 'Our clientele is pretty expansive, but I'd say most of them are looking for help with sleep, chronic pain or PTSD,' said Mickey Harris, a former massage therapist who as a smoke shop owner has become knowledgeable about cannabis compounds. 'We have a pretty large 55 (years old) and up clientele base.' Castro told the American-Statesman in April that she has seen many senior citizens and veterans 'stock buying' consumable hemp products in anticipation of SB 3 becoming law. 'It's terrible to have somebody thinking that (these products) are going to go away and they're on a fixed income, and they have to budget that gummy or that tincture in there,' Castro said, noting the shop has been giving some veterans discounts. For Kaymon Thomas, who has worked at Planet K for a decade, his job is about providing an affordable solution to customers' ailments. 'We always make a joke that we're kind of underpaid therapists,' Thomas said. 'They'll tell us all their problems, and it's like, 'Maybe try this.' Sometimes they come back and say, 'That helped a lot,' which is cool.' In an effort to grease the wheels for one of his biggest legislative priorities, Patrick brokered a deal on Sunday with Rep. Tom Oliverson, a Republican from Cypress and anesthesiologist, to support House Bill 46. That bill, authored by Rep. Ken King, R-Canadian, will expand the Texas Compassionate Use Program, the state's limited medicinal marijuana program, to Texans suffering from chronic pain, illnesses such as Crohn's disease, and those who are terminally ill. 'The Senate and my concern has always been that we don't want to go back to the days of doctors writing prescriptions for anyone who paid them for a prescription for pain pills,' Patrick announced on X. 'The Texas Medical Board has put in strong guidelines to prevent that from happening over the last decade. Dr. Oliverson presented a new thoughtful plan that the Senate and I can support that will help those in true need of relief." Patrick noted that the bill would increase the number of licenses to 12 from three and add satellite locations in each public health region of the state for the first time. HB 46, which was amended and passed by the Senate on Tuesday, also awaits a signature from Abbott, whose office declined to comment on pending legislation when contacted by the American-Statesman. There has been considerable debate about whether Abbott, who has never had a THC ban on his list of top legislative priorities, will sign SB 3 into law. In March, he offered tacit support for marijuana decriminalization, telling the Houston Chronicle that "small possession of marijuana is not the type of violation that we want to stockpile jails with." 'Look, I'm not going to speak for the governor,' Patrick said on Wednesday. 'He will do what he's going to do. I have total confidence in the governor.' In April, polling by UT's Texas Politics Project found that 50% of Texas voters opposed an outright ban, including 35% who expressed strong opposition — more than double the 17% who said they strongly supported a ban. In total, just 34% expressed support. 'The thing that's the most surprising about this is that Lt. Gov. Patrick usually follows his political antenna, and on this, he did not,' Scott Braddock, the editor of the Quorum Report, a Texas political newsletter, told KVUE. 'His own pollster found that only about 30% of Texas Republican voters agree with a full ban.' Abbott has until June 22 to veto any bill that advances to his desk from the current legislative session, which ends Monday. 'This is a jump ball, 50/50 chance on this,' Braddock told KVUE. 'Abbott could sign this into law at the urging of Lt. Gov. Patrick, or he could veto it, and he'd make a lot of the MAGA crowd, the Trump supporters, really happy because they don't agree with a full ban.' Meanwhile, many THC product advocates and business owners like the Harris brothers are still holding onto hope that their $10 billion industry won't go up in smoke. 'We've been dealing with a bunch of bills like this for four years,' Todd Harris said. 'Each time the community comes out and speaks (against it), so we've been able to keep this industry alive and booming.' This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas THC ban threatens burgeoning cannabis industry, local businesses
Medscape
30-05-2025
- General
- Medscape
One Third of Older Veterans Who Use Cannabis Have CUD
About 36% of older veterans who recently used cannabis screened positive for cannabis use disorder (CUD), with a higher risk observed among younger respondents, individuals with anxiety, and frequent users, a new analysis showed. Investigators said the findings suggest asking about cannabis use during all routine health exams could help identify patients for treatment. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study included data of 4503 older adults (weighted mean age, 73.3 years; 85% men; 78% non-Hispanic White individuals) from the Veterans Health Administration in the United States using interviews and medical records (2020-2023). Participants were assessed for the use of cannabis in different forms (smoking, vaping, dabbing, or edibles) in the past 30 days and screened for CUD, defined as meeting at least two criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) . . Covariates included sociodemographic and health variables. TAKEAWAY: Overall, 57% of participants reported lifetime cannabis use, with 29% citing medical reasons, with pain management the most common reason for medical use. Cannabis use in the past 30 days was reported by 10.3% of participants, with 52% using cannabis for at least 20 days in a month. Among those with past 30-day use, 36% screened positive for CUD, with higher odds among men, respondents younger than 76 years, individuals with anxiety, and individuals who reported any illicit drug use or frequent cannabis use. Compared with any recreational use, lifetime cannabis use for exclusively medical reasons was associated with lower odds of any CUD. Past 30-day use of inhaled cannabis was associated with higher odds of CUD than that of edibles only (adjusted odds ratio, 3.56; 95% CI, 1.12-11.26). IN PRACTICE: 'Older veterans may be at risk for THC intoxication. Prevention of problematic cannabis use and CUD is also crucial in older veterans due to the elevated risk of suicide ideation and exacerbation of mental health concerns experienced by aging populations. Routine health screening for cannabis use in Veterans Health Administration clinical settings is necessary to identify older adults with cannabis use,' the investigators wrote. SOURCE: The study was led by Vira Pravosud, PhD, MPH, MS, Center for Data to Discovery and Delivery Innovation, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco. It was published online on May 14 in JAMA Network Open . LIMITATIONS: The study was limited by its cross-sectional design, low generalizability, reliance on self-reported data, and potential recall and social desirability bias. DISCLOSURES: The study received support from National Institutes of Health and Tobacco Related Disease Research Program. One author declared receiving nonfinancial support from the San Francisco VA Health Care System during the study. Another received nonfinancial support from the New York State Psychiatric Institute during the study and research support from Syneos Health outside the submitted work.
Gulf Today
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
CUD marks Class of ‘Thank You Sheikha Hind'
The 14th graduation ceremony of Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2025 and honouring the national 'Thank You Sheikha Hind' campaign. The convocation was held at Dubai World Trade Centre under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, who awarded certificates to the 500 graduates. This year's graduating class drew its name and inspiration from the initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to pay tribute to Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum. The ceremony also acknowledged the UAE Year of Community and Sheikha Hind's leadership in advocating the values of social unity, compassion, education, and family. The graduation conferred degrees across the university's five schools of Management; Engineering, Applied Science and Technology; Architecture and Interior Design; Communication and Creative Industries; and Health Sciences and Psychology. Presiding over the ceremony were the University Chancellor and Chair of the University Board of Trustees, Mr Buti Saeed Al Ghandi; President and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Karim Chelli; alongside other members of the Canadian University Dubai Board of Trustees. The University Mace was carried by the Honorable John Baird, and the event welcomed distinguished guests, Charles Falzon, Dean of The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University and Dr Hossam Hassanein, Professor and Director of the School of Computing at Queen's University. In his graduation address, Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan paid tribute to the leadership of the UAE, saying, 'This graduation ceremony serves as a reminder of the continued progress and unwavering commitment to excellence demonstrated by Canadian University Dubai. It stands today as a leading model of a prestigious institution that serves its students, society, and humanity at large; an institution that actively contributes to the advancement and prosperity of the UAE's knowledge-based society. 'Today's celebration is also a tribute to the visionary leadership of our nation and their steadfast support for higher education institutions across the UAE.'
