MBZUAI hosted a senior delegation from Iraq to discuss potential collaborations. The delegation toured the university campus and met with Provost Fakhri Karray. Discussions focused on MBZUAI's objectives, strategic plans, and opportunities for cooperative development between the UAE and Iraq. Why it matters: This visit signifies MBZUAI's ongoing efforts to foster AI development and collaboration across the Middle East.
Meta President Nick Clegg expressed confidence that the United Arab Emirates' economy will continue to strengthen despite regional conflicts. This statement reflects a major global tech leader's assessment of the economic resilience of a key Middle Eastern nation. The positive outlook from Meta suggests ongoing stability for investment and growth in the region's broader tech sector. Why it matters: This highlights the perceived economic stability and attractiveness of the UAE for international technology companies, indirectly impacting the environment for AI investment and development.
KAUST Professor Mohamed Eddaoudi has won the 2023 Kuwait Prize in chemistry for his work on functional solid-state materials, specifically metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). His research focuses on innovative design strategies for these materials and their applications in gas separations, catalysis, energy storage, and carbon capture. Eddaoudi, a founding faculty member at KAUST since 2009, shares the prize with Prof. Nashaat Nassar from the University of Calgary. Why it matters: The award recognizes KAUST's research excellence and highlights the importance of materials science for energy and environmental sustainability within the Arab world.