TII Chief Researcher Mérouane Debbah and MBZUAI President Eric Xing visited École Polytechnique in France to discuss AI research and training. They reviewed AI projects and opportunities to increase the visibility of UAE-led research. The meeting aimed to strengthen collaboration between MBZUAI, TII, and École Polytechnique. Why it matters: Such partnerships can foster knowledge exchange and accelerate AI innovation in the UAE by leveraging international expertise.
DERC is partnering with EPFL in Switzerland on a four-year project using EMTR and ML to study electromagnetic disturbance localization in PCBs. Professor Farhad Rachidi (EPFL) and Dr. Nicolas Mora (DERC) will mentor a PhD student. The collaboration builds on prior relationships between DERC researchers and Prof. Rachidi's lab. Why it matters: The partnership strengthens DERC's methodological expertise and international recognition in electromagnetic studies, potentially leading to further collaborations.
TII's Directed Energy Research Center (DERC) has announced partnerships with Ruhr University Bochum, Helmut Schmidt University, University Clermont Auvergne, and National University of Colombia, Bogota. The collaborations aim to advance research in directed energy sub-disciplines, including radar systems, lightning protection, and high-power electromagnetics. These partnerships will involve research on ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and numerical/statistical methods. Why it matters: This international collaboration strengthens the UAE's position as a hub for advanced technology research and development, particularly in the strategic area of directed energy systems.
KAUST has become the first Middle Eastern university to join the University-Industry Demonstration Partnership (UIDP), an invite-only program including universities like Stanford, Yale, and Oxford. The UIDP focuses on identifying key issues impacting university-industry relations and fostering collaboration. KAUST aims to provide valuable insights to fellow UIDP members and translate its research to industry. Why it matters: This partnership enhances KAUST's role as a bridge between academia and industry in the region, fostering innovation and economic development in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East.
KAUST and University College London (UCL) have formed a strategic partnership to advance research, education, and commercialization. The partnership includes potential collaboration in student entrepreneurship, academic program development such as joint MBA programs, and joint activity in bioengineering fields like vaccine manufacturing. The agreement was signed during the Times Higher Education World Academic Summit 2025 held at KAUST. Why it matters: This collaboration strengthens KAUST's ability to advance Saudi Vision 2030 by expanding its international research network, enabling translational innovation, and accelerating commercialization.
The Directed Energy Research Center (DERC) is partnering with Montena Technology to study high-altitude electromagnetic pulses and design infrastructure safeguards. DERC is also collaborating with Radaz to evaluate ground penetrating and synthetic aperture radars in Abu Dhabi, aiming to identify natural resources. Additionally, DERC and Université de Picardie Jules Verne are working on laser sources and sensors, with a DERC researcher spending four years in France. Why it matters: These partnerships enhance DERC's research capabilities in critical areas like infrastructure protection, resource exploration, and advanced sensing technologies.
The US and Saudi Arabia have signed a Strategic Artificial Intelligence Partnership. The agreement aims to promote cooperation between the two countries in the field of AI across various sectors. It also focuses on fostering responsible AI development and deployment. Why it matters: This partnership signifies growing international collaboration with Saudi Arabia in AI, potentially accelerating the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals for technological advancement.
A delegation from the Indonesian Embassy visited MBZUAI on November 23, 2021, to learn about the university. Attendees included Dr. Hosni Ghedira, Ms. Reem Al Orfali, and Mr. Yaqoob Al Blooshi from MBZUAI, and Dr. Ir. Hammam Riza and Mr. Gatot Dwianto from the Indonesian National Agency for Research and Innovation. The visit aimed to establish closer relations and explore future collaboration opportunities. Why it matters: Such visits foster international partnerships in AI research and education, strengthening MBZUAI's global presence and potentially leading to joint projects and knowledge exchange.