This meeting will focus on ‘Serving Innovation’.

Under the Patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research The United Arab Emirates’ Advanced National Research and Education Network known as Ankabut an initiative founded by Khalifa University will host its 12th Users’ Meeting at New York University’s Abu Dhabi Campus on November 16 and 17. 

This meeting’s focus will be on “serving innovation” and will gather some of the most knowledgeable researchers from all over the world as well as leaders in the industry of innovative educational technology to explore this important topic. The conference will include technical sessions on cutting-edge issues related to the industry as well as providing opportunities for networking and socializing with Ankabut’s partners. The conference aims to inspire educators to discover the latest innovative educational technologies. In addition this year’s conference will host the international Special Internet Group Meeting and an MOU will be signed between the IBM Company and Ankabut. 

Ankabut offers academic institutions connectivity to other education networks around the world. Ankabut also connects schools and public institutions together across the UAE. Ankabut cooperates on a national GCC regional and international arena representing the UAE in conferences exhibitions and forums. 

Download Official KU Press Release – English

للمشاهدة والتنزيل باللغة العربية

 

Khalifa University hosted world renowned Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Dean of Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania Dr. Vijay Kumar as part of their Distinguished Speakers Series on January 20 2016 at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Abu Dhabi. The event was attended by Khalifa University’s senior management members of faculty students and the general public.

Dr. Kumar who is an expert in the collective behaviors of biological and robotic systems discussed ways in which robotics and automated systems have changed the way humans interact with the world around us and how current research might affect robotics in the future.

“The demand for UAV’s has grown dramatically ” said Dr. Kumar. “Currently there are over 15 000 UAV’s being sold in the USA every month and this explosion means that there are now more people working on development which will lead to greater advancements in the field. The future is also in smaller safer and more maneuverable UAV’s particularly those that are able to ‘swarm’ like birds and insects do.”

“Khalifa University has taken a keen interest in Robotics over the past few years with many of our students participating in the Drones for Good competitions and with Khalifa University hosting the inaugural Mohamed Bin Zayed International Robotic Challenge (MBZIRC) ” said Khalifa University President Dr. Tod Laursen. “So it’s very rewarding for our students and faculty to have the opportunity to listen to a world expert in the field. Especially one that is involved with novel research and the development of new systems and architectures. Undoubtedly our students will take away a lot from this lecture and feel inspired to pursue careers or innovations in the robotics field.”

The next Khalifa University Distinguished Speakers Series event will be held on February 28 2016 at the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) and feature Elias Zerhouni President of Global Research and Development for Sanofi he will discuss Biomedical research and development: Current and future directions.

 

Khalifa University will host the President of Global Research and Development for French multinationalpharmaceutical company Sanofi Dr. Elias Zerhouni as part of the University’s Distinguished Speakers Series being held February 28 2016 at the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR).  Dr. Zerhouni is also a member of Khalifa University’s Board of Trustees and he will speak to the public about biomedical research and development and its current and future directions.

Biomedical research refers to the field of study that aids and supports the development of knowledge in the field of medicine including clinical research and in the case of biomedical engineering the combination of  engineering and medical and biological sciences to advance health care treatment including diagnosis monitoring and therapy.

In the past Dr. Zerhouni who also served as Director of the United States National Institutes of Health has spoken of the challenges facing the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries in particular the needs of patients who are demanding improved health care services from providers and the concerns of providers who are facing higher health care costs in order to pay for medical innovation.

Currently Khalifa University offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering and an option to specialize in Biomedical Engineering at the PhD level.

The lecture will begin at 7:30 pm on Sunday February 28 2016 and is open to the public.  To RSVP please email rsvp@ku.ac.ae.

Download Official KU Press Release – English

للمشاھدة والتنزیل باللغة العربیة

 

A Khalifa University researcher has been working with Korean researchers to develop new materials that can capture excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The materials involved do not only successfully capture the CO2 from the atmosphere but they also convert the greenhouse gas into chemicals with added value such as methanol which is used as a simple fuel and in the manufacture of chemicals.

Dr. Kyriaki Polychronopoulou Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Khalifa University said: “The impact of this research is high in this region. The UAE has one of the highest CO2 emissions per capita in the world emitting on average around six times more CO2 than other countries.

“Effectively capturing CO2 must always be accompanied by storage or conversion. The outcomes of this research are certainly promising in terms of moving towards better carbon management in the UAE in the wider Middle East region and in the world.”

The research has been highlighted in leading academic publication SYNFACTS. Studies which are included in SYNFACTS are double-checked and verified by professors from across the world including academics from the University of Leeds Queen’s University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology prior to publication. The study originally appeared in the academic peer-reviewed journal Chemistry of Materials ACS.

Dr. Tod Laursen President of Khalifa University said: “This breakthrough research has propelled Khalifa University to the forefront of this important field and contributes to positioning the UAE as a pioneer of research both in the region and in the world. It is widely accepted that more efficient carbon management is needed in many countries; this research helps to solve this problem and has the potential to be adopted globally. It’s great to see Khalifa University researchers continuing to tackle these global problems.”

The research took place as part of a partnership between Khalifa University and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.

Download Official KU Press Release – English

للمشاھدة والتنزیل باللغة العربیة

 

Khalifa University student Fahad Al Shaibani has become the first Emirati engineering student to secure a Rhodes scholarship after submitting a successful application to the prestigious award which gives a small cohort of gifted and talented international students the opportunity to study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.

The scholarship will support Fahad for two years while he studies a graduate degree at the university which is widely recognized as one of the best universities in the world. It will pay his tuition for two years offer him a small stipend and pay for flights to and from the UAE.

To be awarded Rhodes scholarship applicants must successfully complete an intensive compatibility process which includes an interview with several world-leading professors and experts. Only 0.7% of applicants are successful. Successful Rhodes Scholars are chosen based on four selection criteria: intellect character leadership and commitment to service. They are generally considered by the Rhodes Trust to be potential future leaders.

Fahad said: “Khalifa University is only eight years old but already it offers a world-class education and is competing globally. I’m proud to be both an ambassador for Khalifa University and for the UAE.”

In addition to the Rhodes scholarship Fahad has also had a shiny Khalifa University career. His major is in biomedical engineering but he has also explored other fields through competitions. He was a finalist in the Drones for Good competition last year and also ranked highly a recent mobile application contest.

The personal statement that Fahad included in his Rhodes scholarship application centered on the notion of a knowledge-based sustainable economy which is one of the aspirations of the UAE leadership. Upon returning to the UAE Fahad plans to use the knowledge he has gained from the University of Oxford to benefit the future development of the country.

“I’m a strong believer that if you make the place the place will make you ” said Fahad. “It is about what you do with what you have been given. I’ve been given a world-class education – now it’s my turn to give back.”

Dr. Mohammed Al Mualla Senior Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies of Khalifa University said: “We are proud of Fahad’s achievement in being honored with a Rhodes scholarship. Fahad is one of many gifted students that study at Khalifa University and his success is yet another testament to both the UAE leadership’s commitment to providing cutting-edge education facilities and infrastructure and Khalifa University’s ability to educate students to an international standard. We wish Fahad the very best of luck in his future endeavors.”

Fahad was one of two Rhodes Scholars selected from the UAE this year the other being Farah Shamout of New York University Abu Dhabi.

Christoph Avenarius National Secretary for the UAE Rhodes Scholarship said: “The two selected UAE Rhodes Scholars will build on strong scientific backgrounds when they arrive in Oxford. Both students are committed to playing a leading role in the transition of the UAE towards a knowledge based society later in their lives. But first the Rhodes Trust is looking forward to welcoming both Scholars in September 2016 at Oxford University.”

Khalifa University recently became the youngest university to rank in the top 100 universities under 50 in addition to achieving ABET accreditation for six key programs this year. 

Download Official KU Press Release – English

للمشاھدة والتنزیل باللغة العربیة

 

 

 

 

Khalifa University and Italian shipbuilders Fincantieri recently launched their new scholarship and training program at the University’s Abu Dhabi campus. The new program is aimed at supporting the UAE Naval industry by training and educating the human capital needed to grow. The event was attend by H.E. Liborio Stellino the Italian Ambassador to the UAE as well as Khalifa University’s senior management and members of Fincantieri.

The program will benefit select Emirati students and is the first of its kind in the UAE.  To date ten students have already taken part in the first round of training sponsored by Fincantieri at its premises in Italy during May and June. The internships which were organized in collaboration with CETENA (an Italian Ship Research Centre) were six weeks long and aimed at developing the students’ skills in naval engineering and architecture through theoretical classes practical training and visits to Fincantieri’s state-of-the-art facilities in Genova La Spezia and Monfalcone.

The program will also benefit Fincantieri who is currently serving the UAE Navy through logistic support and maintenance services by providing the human capital for its Abu Dhabi based joint venture Etihad Ship Building (ESB).

“This collaboration will certainly benefit not just Khalifa University students and Fincantieri but the UAE’s Navy and overall naval economy ” said Dr. Tod Laursen Khalifa University’s President. “Partnerships between academia and industry are vital for providing the human capital and know how needed to continuously expand the UAE’s economy and push forward areas of key development.  We look forward to seeing how our students benefit from this cooperation as much as they look forward to the exciting international internships and scholarship opportunities.” 

Fincantieri expressed its support of the UAE’s rich maritime tradition and its place as a strategic hub for the entire region in infrastructure development. Fincantieri stated that it was proud to be part of the economic growth of the GCC area and is well aware that young people like the students that participated in the training in Italy can make it happen.

Download Official KU Press Release – English

للمشاھدة والتنزیل باللغة العربیة

 

 

Future engineers will need to be endowed with a range of so-called “soft skills ” including teamwork leadership and creative thinking to solve a tall order of engineering challenges such as creating improved medicines finding new energy sources and discovering new ways of providing clean water.

That was the message that Khalifa University’s president Dr. Tod Laursen gave as he addressed a crowd of human resources training and Emiratization professionals at the TVET Week Leaders Forum 2016 event.

This interdisciplinary working is reinforced by Khalifa University’s approach to learning. The institution places particular emphasis on partnering with industry in order to produce business-ready globally competitive graduates.

The University works towards achieving Abu Dhabi’s 2030 Vision which envisages a move towards a more diverse knowledge-based economy and away from one that is over-reliant on fossil fuels.

The TVET Leaders Forum takes place annually and brings together a group of leading experts within the global TVET sector for the purpose of enhancing awareness fostering understanding and sharing on-going practices in order to foster youth employability.

The 2016 event took place at Etihad Towers on 17 January. 

HH Sheikh Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Chairman of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court chaired a meeting of Khalifa University’s board of trustees on January 12 2016 prior to attending the University’s third graduation ceremony which saw 333 students accept their degrees at the undergraduate and graduate level.

The meeting was also attended by Khalifa University Board Members H.E. Eng. Hussain I. Al Hammadi the Minister of Education; H.E. Ali Rashid Qanas Al Ketbi Chairman of Tawteen; H.E. Mohammed Hassan Omran Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology; and H.E. Sir John O’Reilly Visiting Professor at the University College London as well as members of the University’s senior management President Dr. Tod Laursen Executive Vice President Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi and Dr. Mohammed Ebrahim Al-Mualla Senior Vice President of Research and Graduate Studies.

Items on the agenda for the meeting included the approval of Fall 2015 graduates financial items and an update on the upcoming Mohammed Bin Zayed International Robotics Competition which is scheduled for 2017 and has attracted 143 applications from 35 countries to date with most of the applications coming from leading robotics laboratories at top universities.

Board members also discussed Khalifa University’s strategic planning initiative which highlights areas of importance on an academic and community level and were given updates on manpower recruitment and the construction of the University’s new campus which is due to be completed by the end of the year.

Khalifa University with support from the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and Abu Dhabi Education Council ADEC) held a major international event on robotics and frontier technologies in Healthcare in Abu Dhabi on January 25 and 26 at their Abu Dhabi campus. The conference was part of the IEEE Life Sciences Grand Challenges Series which has previously been held in Singapore and Washington D.C. The event brought a team of world experts in Bio robotics and innovative healthcare technologies to Abu Dhabi for the first time.

The even boasted world renowned speakers in their fields including Prof. Marc O. Schurr the Director of the Institute of Healthcare Industries Steinbeis University Germany; Prof. Igo Krebs from MIT in the United States; and Prof. Toshio Fukuda from Nagoya University Japan among others. The speakers described the latest advances in medical technology addressing a number of key sectors: robot- and computer-controlled surgery for greater precision and minimally invasiveness active platforms for neurological rehabilitation (e.g. post-stroke) artificial tissues and organs and the next generation of soft life-like robots for human friendly interaction. The final session of the Conference addressed through a panel of eminent stakeholders regional challenges in healthcare and the role of new technologies.

“This event comes at a time when Abu Dhabi is focused on expanding its healthcare facilities and abilities so it’s quite topical ” said Khalifa University President Dr. Tod Laursen. “In the past year we have seen the completion of major new hospitals and health centers and an increase in initiatives by SEHA Mubadala Healthcare VPS Healthcare Al Noor Hospital Group and NMC healthcare. Khalifa University is proud to support these initiatives with both the human capital needed to power them and with the ground breaking research needed to drive healthcare technology. We look forward to hosting more events of its kind and to host more world renowned experts for our students to take inspiration from.”

Download Official KU Press Release – English

للمشاھدة والتنزیل باللغة العربیة

 

Khalifa University received His Excellency Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education. During the visit HE Al Ghurair and Maysa Jalbout CEO of the Foundation visited the Etisalat-BT Innovation Center (EBTIC) and Khalifa University’s Center for Biotechnology and met with Khalifa University President Dr. Tod Laursen Executive Vice President Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi and other members of senior management to discuss areas of potential collaboration in support of high-achieving Emirati and Arab youth in need of financial assistance.

“The Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education will support Emirati and Arab youth in becoming future innovators leaders in their communities and ambassadors of education in the region. All high achieving and hardworking students should have an opportunity to pursue their education at top quality universities like Khalifa University regardless of their financial capabilities.” said Al Ghurair.

His Excellency also met with ten Khalifa University students to discuss their career aspirations their educational experiences at the university and to better understand how the Foundation can support other top performing students who need financial assistance.

“We are delighted and honored to having met and received HE Abdulaziz Al Ghurair on our campus where he met with our students” said Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi. “The attention that national organizations such as Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education are giving to Khalifa University reaffirms the University’s leadership position in providing the UAE youth with quality research-based education. Khalifa University strives to reach our youth by offering a high quality post-secondary education and by planning outreach activities that encourage children to seek knowledge and innovation-driven careers. We look forward to working with the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education in order to achieve this mission and to reach our youth.”

The Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education provides access to educational opportunities for high-achieving Emirati and Arab youth who need financial assistance through scholarships and other forms of support. The Foundation is looking to establish partnerships with leading local universities such as Khalifa University as well as international universities which also excel in the fields of science technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

Download Official KU Press Release – English

للمشاھدة والتنزیل باللغة العربیة

 

Khalifa University students won the Excellence Award for Student Innovation in Agriculture/Aquaculture at the 2016 AGRAme conference held in Dubai from March 13-15 2016. The conference is the Middle East’s largest event dedicated to agribusiness aquaculture and veterinary medicine and university students from around the region were invited to submit a product or research project that has demonstrated innovative sustainable thinking and impact the Agra/Aqua industry.

Students Eiman Alrubaei Alreem Almannaei Amani Bin Amro and Halima Alhumoudi who are majored in civil engineering and mechanical engineering respectively submitted their senior design project which proposes a method to gather water vapor directly from the atmosphere and change it into liquid water.

Their idea stems from the fact that humidity levels in UAE can reach up to 95% during the summer period and the development of a multipurpose aesthetic economical and sustainable system that converts humid air into water would be invaluable. Their dew collector can be used for irrigation purposes as well as shade. It will be self-sustainable and capable of generating its own power via solar panels.

“Khalifa University encourages its students to pursue research in the areas of sustainable energy especially innovation that focuses on using the UAE’s natural resources ” said Dr. Mohammed Al Mualla Senior Vice President Research and Graduate Studies. “It’s quite encouraging to see our students harness a phenomena that many would see as a negative like the high humidity that we get here and turn it into a positive innovation that can contribute to the overall health and wellbeing of the entire country. It’s truly inspiring and demonstrates our students optimism and dedication to UAE.”

Download Official KU Press Release – English

للمشاھدة والتنزیل باللغة العربیة

 

Khalifa University recently received a visit from His Excellency Houlin Zhao Secretary-General of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) an international organization headquartered in Geneva Switzerland that is part of the United Nations system. His Excellency met with members of Khalifa University’s senior management in order to invite the institution to become a member of the ITU. The guest was accompanied by a representative from the UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) Engineer Nasser Bin Hammad TRA’s Senior Manager of International Affairs.

During his visit to the University His Excellency was given the opportunity to tour the Etisalat BT Innovation Center (EBTIC). He met with EBTIC researchers and viewed projects on fiber optic network optimization Big Data and Cloud Security. EBTIC is a driving force for innovation in the Middle East having filed 59 patents since its inception EBTIC aims to advance intelligent systems technologies for the Next Generation Networks (NGNs) and NGN-enabled ICT applications and services in order to put in place the support infrastructure to facilitate develop and enable the Digital Networked Economy in the UAE and beyond.

In addition His Excellency visited the Visual Signal Analysis and Processing Center (VSAP) and the Khalifa University Robotics Institute where he also met with students and researchers and viewed projects.

The ITU currently boasts 191 Member States and more than 700 Sector Members and Associates (private companies non-governmental organizations and other entities). The organization acts as a forum for governments and the private sector to coordinate technical and policy matters related to global telecommunications networks and services. Institutions of higher education benefit from the organization’s knowledge and expertise in variety of areas including huge data sustainable smart cities cyber security e-waste spectrum affairs management rural communities climate change disaster recovery and financial and digital inclusion.

“We are honored to be invited to join such an esteemed organization ” said Khalifa University Executive Vice President Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi. “Being invited to join the ITU is a sign of the quality of the research being conducted at Khalifa University and a sign that our projects and innovations are of international interest and value. We are grateful for the support and effort by the TRA on our behalf. Membership with ITU is an important milestone for our University and one that will benefit our researchers and students immensely in the future. ”

Commenting on this Said H.E Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori TRA Director General: “This visit comes in line with the strong relationship between The UAE represented by TRA and The ITU. The Invitation to Khalifa University to be become a member of ITU is an important step in our continuous efforts aiming at enhancing the role of national Academies in the sustainable development process in UAE. It also highlights our commitment towards developing national competencies in ICT field one of the pillars in realizing UAE Vison 2021 regarding the use of digital revolution in developing smart services in all fields”.

Download Official KU Press Release – English

للمشاھدة والتنزیل باللغة العربیة