A delegation from the Republic of Costa Rica, including Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Adriana Bolanos Argueta, visited MBZUAI. They met with Dr. Behjat Al Yousuf and Reem Al Orfali to explore potential collaborations between MBZUAI and Costa Rican universities. Discussions focused on future educational partnerships. Why it matters: This meeting indicates MBZUAI's growing international outreach and its interest in forming academic alliances with institutions beyond the Middle East.
The Ambassador of Costa Rica to the UAE, Francisco J. Chacón Hernández, visited Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI). Discussions covered MBZUAI's milestones, programs, and potential collaborations. The visit included a tour of the Masdar City campus. Why it matters: This visit indicates growing international interest in MBZUAI and the UAE's AI ecosystem, potentially leading to increased student enrollment and research partnerships.
Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado Quesada visited MBZUAI and met with Provost Fakhreddine Karray to discuss AI's role in sustainability. Discussions covered MBZUAI's master's and doctoral programs and ongoing projects aimed at improving human activity and societal advancement. MBZUAI assured Alvarado of its commitment to admitting talented Costa Rican students to bolster the country's AI capabilities and designated points of contact for sharing best practices. Why it matters: This collaboration signals growing international interest in MBZUAI and the UAE's AI ecosystem, particularly in leveraging AI for sustainability solutions.
The Mexican Embassy in Riyadh announced the creation of the first Saudi Arabian chapter of the Mexican Global Network (RedGlobalMX-Saudi Arabia). The chapter aims to recognize the contributions of the Mexican community in Saudi Arabia and foster collaboration between the two countries. KAUST alumni form a substantial part of the chapter's core membership, including those working at Saudi Aramco and Dow Chemical. Why it matters: This initiative strengthens ties between Saudi Arabia and Mexico, potentially opening doors for further academic and industrial collaborations, especially in fields where KAUST has expertise.
The KAUST Coral Restoration Initiative (KCRI) is planning for a transformative 2025, focusing on digital twins and land-based nurseries, according to KCRI chief scientist Professor David Suggett. The KCRI eCoral™ digital twin will use AI and machine learning for coral restoration, scenario modeling, and decision-making. KCRI's reef-based nurseries can produce up to 100,000 corals per year for transplantation. Why it matters: AI-powered coral reef restoration can help create more resilient ecosystems and inform environmental policymaking in the region.
Francisco Rodríguez-Henríquez, Technical Director at TII's Cryptography Research Center, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the International Association for Cryptologic Research (IACR). He is the first cryptographer from the Middle East to join the IACR board. His three-year tenure aims to foster cryptography development in the Middle East through conferences and seminars, and promote openly accessible cryptographic software and hardware. Why it matters: This appointment signals growing recognition of Middle Eastern expertise in cryptography and enhances the region's role in shaping global cryptographic research and development.