KAUST ·
KAUST Discovery Postdoctoral fellows describe KAUST as an ideal place to pursue research and jumpstart a career. The fellows highlight the university's resources and collaborative environment. The video is available on Vimeo. Why it matters: KAUST is working to attract global research talent to Saudi Arabia.
TII ·
The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) describes itself as a leading global research center. TII's teams work to deliver discovery science and transformative technologies. The announcement appeared on the TII's research blog, ResearchHub. Why it matters: This blog provides a channel to monitor TII's contributions to AI research and development in the UAE.
KAUST ·
Kamal Mousa Al-Jahni, a Saudi Ph.D. student at the University of South Florida, is researching natural water springs in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Oman, leveraging facilities at the KAUST Analytical Chemistry Core Lab (ACL). Al-Jahni is expanding on his master's research, collaborating with King Saud University and utilizing KAUST's specialized testing facilities and expert staff. He aims to improve sample collection and utilize advanced lab equipment. Why it matters: This research contributes to a better understanding of water resources in the Arabian Peninsula and demonstrates KAUST's role in supporting environmental research and training Saudi researchers.
KAUST ·
KAUST's Academic Divisions and Research Centers unite faculty, researchers, and students from various disciplines to tackle fundamental and goal-oriented problems. The Biological and Environmental Science & Engineering Division (BESE) focuses on organisms' responses to the environment and develops innovative technologies. The Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Science and Engineering Division (CEMSE) centers on predicting complex natural phenomena and optimizing processes for clean water and energy. Why it matters: This overview of KAUST's divisions illustrates the breadth of research activity and its focus on key challenges for Saudi Arabia and the region.
MBZUAI ·
This article summarizes a talk by Erci Xu on doing computer systems research, focusing on idea generation and paper writing. Xu shares experiences on developing research ideas and provides a tutorial on academic writing principles. He has published 20 papers in venues like OSDI, FAST, ATC, and Eurosys and received awards including two FAST Best Paper Awards. Why it matters: The talk and summary offer valuable guidance for researchers in the Middle East, particularly those at institutions like MBZUAI, on how to conduct impactful computer systems research and effectively communicate their findings in top-tier academic publications.
MBZUAI ·
MBZUAI students Hanoona Bangalath and Muhammad Maaz, with perfect GPAs, had papers accepted at ECCV 2022 ("Class-agnostic Object Detection with Multi-modal Transformer") and NeurIPS 2022 ("Bridging the Gap between Object and Image-level Representation for Open-Vocabulary Detection"). Both will stay at MBZUAI for their PhDs, crediting the university's resources and faculty. Their supervisor, Salman Khan, praised their curiosity and hard work, highlighting their role in building the institution's reputation. Why it matters: The success of these students underscores MBZUAI's potential to foster high-quality AI research and attract top talent to the UAE.
KAUST ·
KAUST is focused on optimizing scientific research through IT, including high-performance computing and supercomputing. KAUST's CIO, Jason Roos, emphasizes that IT at KAUST prioritizes research support, drawing from his experience in mission-critical IT in healthcare. KAUST houses Shaheen II, the fastest supercomputer in the Middle East, managed with state-of-the-art facilities. Why it matters: This focus enhances KAUST's research capabilities, providing resources on par with national labs and attracting top talent in science and technology to the region.
KAUST ·
Shozo Yokoyama, a biology professor at Emory University specializing in color vision evolution, was interviewed by KAUST. Yokoyama's lab identified amino acids regulating red-green and UV vision in vertebrates. He emphasizes the importance of young scientists developing fresh perspectives on evolution and learning directly from animals. Why it matters: While not directly an AI story, the piece highlights KAUST's broader research focus and its investment in attracting and showcasing international scientific expertise, relevant to building a strong research ecosystem.