Dubai: Two of the most renowned educational institutions in the region, the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) and Zayed University (ZU) recently revealed the details about the winning proposals submitted under the first joint research program between the two entities.
The revelation was made at a ceremony which had several dignitaries, senior administration, and faculty and researchers from both universities in attendance. The big names which were part of the ceremony included;
- Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth and President of Zayed University
- Zaki Nusseibeh, Cultural Adviser to the UAE President and Chancellor of the United Arab Emirates University
Our two institutions were created to foster the infrastructure of knowledge and capability that provides essential foundation for our nation’s stability and progress. We are responsible for providing qualified and skilled individuals to form future generations of professionals, entrepreneurs, and creative innovators.
Mr. Zaki Nusseibeh remarked while explaining about the rationale for the joint research program.
“We are entrusted with the resources that researchers and research institutes need to push forward the frontiers of what is known, provide solutions for current economic and social challenges, and advise us on future possibilities,” Mr. Nusseibeh added.
THE JOINT RESEARCH INITIATIVE
The joint research program by United Arab Emirates University and Zayed University backs research and development projects in areas of national priority namely, health sciences, space science and astronomy, water, energy, food and environmental sciences, big data and artificial intelligence, and social and economic sciences.
UAEU and ZU are expected to share the total budget for each winning research proposal. Up to $ 108,901 will be offered for winning proposals which are for laboratory-based projects with all other projects expected to secure up to $68.065.
EXTERNAL EVALUATION
Each proposal is reviewed externally by respected peers in the relevant academic fields to identify the winners. The critical review scrutinizes the quality of the proposal in terms of its academic significance, novelty, and alignment to institutional strategies. The program will run every year, with UAEU and ZU taking leadership every other year.
A total of 58 proposals were submitted under a competitive process of evaluation.
“I look forward to hearing about the progress and development of each project and wish you the very best of success. I have every confidence that the value of your joint outputs will be greater than our investments. Together UAEU and ZU serve the ten principles set by our nation for the coming fifty years,” Mr. Nusseibeh concluded.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, shared her confidence that this collaboration will unite the efforts of two prestigious academic institutions to continue progress towards elevating the academic and research standard and efficiency that we offer to the young leaders of tomorrow and the whole world.
“We priorities tasks of preparing more proficient and capable generations to participate in pushing the barriers of progress and development during the next phase. This is one of our most important national duties. We are overseeing a new era – represented by the Projects of the next 50 years – that aims to empower our youth for new changes and the challenges it may bring to further develop our nation,” Ms. Al Kaabi observed.