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Vortex Tornado Image Wins Milton Van Dyke Award

Dr. Hamid Ait Abderrahmane, Mechanical Engineering Associate Professor, and his collaborators from abroad were awarded one of the three Milton Van Dyke Awards for their poster at the 41st Annual Gallery of Fluid Motion. They were recognized during the 75th Annual Meeting of the American Physical Society’s Division of Fluid Dynamics (APS DFD) in Indianapolis, USA.

 

The Gallery of Fluid Motion highlights posters and videos showing not only the science but also the beauty of fluid motion. Participants submit graphic representations of their research that explain the work’s science through beautiful fluid motion. A distinguished panel of judges selects the best images and videos to receive the Milton Van Dyke Awards. The award is named after Milton Van Dyke, a renowned scientist best known for his work in fluid dynamics. Van Dyke was a pioneer in highlighting the aesthetic appeal and the scientific usefulness of flow visualization.

Dr. Hamid and his team’s poster, “Multiple Vortex Tornadoes in a Bucket,” shows the finite-time Lyapunov exponent (FTLE) patterns in an experimental model of the attenuation of a 3- to a 2-vortex tornado. From the image, you can see transitions in the shallow layer of water after a reduction in the disk speed at the bottom of the cylindrical bucket.

 

 

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Fog in UAE Now More Common Because of Climate Change

Research could help forecasters predict when long-lasting fog is set to descend on the Emirates

 

Climate change is behind an increase in the number of multi-day fog events in the UAE, a new study suggests.

 

The research also found, however, that the fog that forms tends to be less dense, possibly because urbanization has — against expectations — reduced the amount of particulate matter in the air.

 

Fog causes major disruption in the UAE, particularly during the winter months, affecting airline schedules and causing significant hazards on the roads.

 

Scientists at the Environmental and Geophysical Sciences (ENGEOS) laboratory at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi are behind the new study, published in the journal Atmospheric Research.

 

In highlighting how large-scale weather systems outside the region influence fog formation in the Emirates, their research could help forecasters predict when long-lasting fog events will occur.

 

They analyzed data for the Emirates over several decades and found that periods when fog is seen on multiple days have become more common and tend to last longer. However, these events are now on average less intense, with visibility not hampered quite as much.

 

“We think that the increase [in fog events] can be due to the increase of the water vapor content in the atmosphere due to global warming,” said Dr. Diana Francis, head of the ENGEOS lab.

 

Read the full article here: https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/2022/12/05/fog-in-uae-now-more-common-because-of-climate-change-study-finds/

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Professor Sir John O’Reilly, President of Khalifa University Discusses Academic Triumphs and Future Growth Plans

 

“Professor Sir John O’Reilly, President of Khalifa University of Science and Technology, presented a series of exclusive Town Hall meetings to celebrate the university’s exceptional academic achievements and outline its future growth plans. Held on November 28th and 30th, 2022, at the Main Campus and SAN Campus, respectively, these sessions showcased KU’s commitment to excellence and innovation.

 

During the meetings, Professor Sir John O’Reilly praised the remarkable accomplishments of KU’s faculty, staff, and students, which have contributed to KU’s outstanding international recognition. The university stands as a leading institution in the region, solidifying its position through continuous dedication to excellence in innovation and research.

 

Looking ahead, Professor Sir John O’Reilly revealed KU’s ambitious growth strategies which is listed below:

  • Commitment to excellence and innovation in all facets of KU activities,
  • Expand student intake and enrollment,
  • Embrace automation and technology in everything that we do at KU,
  • Enter more partnerships and collaborations with top organizations and educational institutions
  • Emphasis on strategic research areas for further development,
  • Masterplans for both campuses to foster cutting-edge research and create world-class learning environments

 

With Professor Sir John O’Reilly’s visionary leadership, Khalifa University is poised to reach new heights, leaving an indelible mark as a pioneering force in education and research.”

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Insights to Plasma Dynamics in Planetary Magnetospheres

A Khalifa University research group has investigated the tenuous plasma environments surrounding Mars and Saturn to better understand plasmas in the Earthbound laboratory and beyond our solar system.

 

Plasma is an interesting research challenge to scientists across disciplines. So much of the universe is made of plasma — it comprises over 99 percent of the visible universe in environments as diverse as stars or distant nebulas, and is manifested in the form of auroras, lightning, and even in such technological applications as neon signs.

 

Plasma is often called the “fourth state of matter” after solid, liquid, and gas. When gas is sufficiently heated, the molecules get more energetic and excitable, moving around more and more freely. At a high enough temperature, the atoms themselves will break apart, with electrons separating from their nuclei, leaving behind charged particles known as ions amid a swirl of electrons. This is plasma.

 

Plasmas are found throughout the solar system and beyond: in the solar corona and in the solar wind from the sun, in the magnetospheres of Earth and other planets, in tails of comets, and in the interstellar and intergalactic media.

 

Dr. Ioannis Kourakis, Associate Professor of Mathematics and Theme Leader for Magnetospheric Modeling at Khalifa University’s Space and Planetary Science Group (SPSG), studies plasma on Earth and in the solar system. His research group recently investigated the tenuous plasma environment surrounding Mars and Saturn in their magnetospheres to better understand the structure of the plasma environment surrounding these planets. They also examined the morphology of plasma waves in the aurora of Earth.

 

The research group comprises Dr. Kuldeep Singh, Dr. Nikos Lazaridis, Dr. Steffy Varghese and Dr. Hans Huybrighs, assisted by a number of visitors and collaborating students. This group has undertaken further studies of the plasma environment around Venus.

 

Solitary Waves in the Martian Magnetosphere

Magnetic fields are generated by electric currents flowing in a planet’s liquid outer core. They may extend far into space, where they meet interplanetary magnetic field lines, which are carried throughout the solar system by the solar wind. The region of space containing the planet’s magnetic field is known as its magnetosphere. Plasma in the Earth’s magnetosphere produces the auroras (also known as the Northern Lights, due to their early observation in latitudes near the North Pole) when charged particles interact with the plasma. The magnetosphere shields the planet from the solar wind and ionizing particles and also helps prevent the solar wind from entering the atmosphere over time. Research indicates that Mars lost its atmosphere, which may also be associated with its lack of a strong magnetic field.

 

The solar magnetic-field lines hitting the planet’s magnetosphere create a shape known as the bow shock. The velocity of the plasma in the solar winds drops as this plasma is forced around the shape of the planet. This creates the classic bow shape with the solar wind curving around the area of impact and extending beyond the sides of the planet.

 

“Mars does not have an intrinsic magnetic field, but the properties of the atmosphere it does have act as an obstacle to the solar wind, functioning as an induced magnetosphere,” Dr. Kourakis said. “Recently, the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission provided an excellent opportunity to explore plasma process in the Martian quasi-magnetosphere. Different plasma waves were observed in the upper atmosphere, which suggests that although Mars only possesses an induced mini magnetosphere, it is highly dynamic and capable of generating various plasma waves. Investigating this could provide meaningful information about the different plasma-wave processes operating in such a dynamic region.”

 

Data from previous missions show that the Martian magnetosheath is filled with compressive waves, which gradually evolve to multiple shocks. These occur when the solar wind hits the magnetosphere, causing shock waves.

 

Current understanding of the Martian environment suggests the presence of solitary waves in the Martian upper atmosphere, where individual electrostatic wave pulses, known as electrostatic solitary waves, propagated in tenuous plasma move through the magnetosphere. Even though these had not yet been observed, recent analysis of data from the MAVEN mission did detect pulses in the bipolar electric field of the Martian magnetosheath region, i.e. the region of space between the place of impact with the magnetosphere and the bow shock of the planet.  

 

In a paper published in The Astrophysical Journal, a research team led and coordinated by Dr. Kourakis used theory and numerical (data) analysis to identify these structures and to investigate the propagation characteristics of these pulses. Dr. Kourakis collaborated with researchers from the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism to provide an efficient interpretation of the observed data, which suggest that these pulses are actually solitary plasma waves. This is among the first studies to report and model solitary-wave structures in the Martian magnetosheath.

 

The magnetosheath is an important and dynamic region of turbulent plasma flow that may play a role in the structure of the bow shock and dictate the flow of energetic particles across the magnetosphere. The solitary pulses captured by the MAVEN mission were observed in the magnetosheath, and when modeled with simulations and theory, the data suggest these pulses were ion-acoustic solitary-wave structures — i.e., spatially localized electrostatic waveforms propagating in the plasma. Electrostatic solitary waves are important as they offer an insight to the nonlinear features of localized electrostatic disturbances in a plasma medium. Researchers across disciplines can use these insights to understand the inherent properties of matter (dispersion, nonlinearity, gain/loss mechanisms) for applications in, for example, transmitting information across large distances without distortion or loss in intensity. Understanding solitary waves in space plasmas can offer a new concept of nonlinear-plasma dynamics in space and help us better understand the physics of our universe.

 

Saturn’s Dusty Plasma

Dusty plasmas are plasmas containing solid particles at the nanometer up to micron scale. These particles acquire an electric charge by collecting electrons and ions from the plasma, in turn affecting the plasma properties. Dusty plasmas are a common occurrence in a number of natural environments, including planetary rings and comet tails, as well as in the technological components used to manufacture semiconductor chips and magnetic-fusion devices.

 

“Dust is a ubiquitous ingredient in space and astrophysical environments,” Dr. Kourakis said. “The physics of dusty plasma interest researchers because of their essential role in space and astrophysical plasmas, but also in laboratory plasmas in fusion devices, solar cells, and semiconductor chips. Satellite missions have established that space plasmas tacitly deviate from expected behavior, as they possess highly energetic particles (ions or electrons) that affect their dynamics and lead to an “abnormal” (non-Maxwell/Boltzmann type) statistical profile. These have been found in the solar wind and magnetosphere around Earth, and data from the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft indicate similar patterns in Saturn’s magnetosphere.”

 

The Radio and Plasma Wave Science instrument onboard the Cassini mission to Saturn returned data suggesting that charged dust grains in Saturn’s rings interact with the surrounding plasma of Saturn’s magnetosphere. Different charges lead to changes in the generation of waves in the plasma, according to models created by the SPSG team.

 

Research into space plasmas in our solar system is motivated by the desire to understand how the solar wind interacts with our own planet’s magnetic field, particularly in how geomagnetic storms can impact satellites and endanger astronauts. Solar storms are recognized as a risk factor representing a threat for e.g., telecommunications on Earth, thus establishing space weather and space plasma science as a priority area of research. Additionally, understanding environments in our solar system helps in understanding plasma environments beyond it, and also in the laboratory (where relevant phenomena may be reproduced at a smaller scale).  

 

Jade Sterling
Science Writer
5 December 2022

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Khalifa University and Manchester University Collaborate To Fund Mutual Research In Graphene Innovation

An ambitious partnership between Abu Dhabi-based Khalifa University of Science and Technology and The University of Manchester has been agreed with the aim to deliver a mutual research funding boost to graphene innovation.

 

The historic agreement will combine joint visions shared by Khalifa and Manchester universities to provide innovative solutions to some of the current challenges, such as providing clean drinking water for millions of people and supporting a circular ‘green economy’ in all parts of the world.

 

Professor Sir John O’Reilly, President, Khalifa University, and Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, Vice-Chancellor and President at The University of Manchester, officially signed a contract between the two institutions during an official VIP visit by Manchester to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Senior officials from both universities were present on the occasion.

 

This international partnership will further accelerate Abu Dhabi’s and Manchester’s world-leading research and innovation into graphene and other 2D materials. The Research & Innovation Center for Graphene and 2D Materials (RIC-2D) based in Khalifa University is part of a strategic investment program supported by the Government of Abu Dhabi, UAE. This partnership will support expediting the development of the RIC-2D at Khalifa University as well as help building capability in Graphene and 2D Materials in collaboration with the Graphene@Manchester, a community, which includes the academic–led National Graphene Institute (NGI) and the commercially-focused Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC), a pioneering facility already backed by the Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy company Masdar.

 

Graphene – originally isolated at The University of Manchester, the global ‘home of graphene’ – has the potential to deliver transformational technologies.  The focus of the Khalifa–Manchester partnership will be on key themes, with a priority to meet the most immediate of global challenges, including  “climate change  and the energy crisis”. These flagship areas are:     

 

  • Water filtration and desalination – graphene and 2D materials are being applied to next generation filtration technologies to significantly boost their effectiveness and efficiency to help safeguard the world’s precious supply of drinking water
  • Construction – graphene is helping to develop building materials that are much more sustainable and when applied at scale can expect to slash global CO2 emissions
  • Energy storage – applications are being developed across the energy storage sector to produce more efficient batteries, super-capacities and other energy storage systems vital to a circular ‘green economy’
  • Lightweighting of materials – the use of graphene and 2D materials to take weight out of vehicles, as well as big structures and infrastructure, will also be a key to building a more sustainable future.

 

The investment is expected to be put into joint projects. The full scope and budgets for projects under this new framework agreement remain to be determined in the months ahead. The proposal will see dedicated space for the Khalifa University’s RIC-2D within the GEIC, which is based in the Masdar Building at The University of Manchester, to deliver rapid R&D and breakthrough technologies. Researchers from Khalifa University will have dedicated lab space in the GEIC where they can work alongside Manchester’s applications experts and access in-house facilities and equipment.

 

As well as the research and innovation activity, Khalifa University’s Research & Innovation Center for Graphene and 2D Materials (RIC-2D) program will support the development of people, including early-career researchers who will benefit from the real world experience of working on the joint R&D program. Also, there will be opportunities for post-graduate students, including the exchange of PhD students and researchers (see FactFile).

 

Professor Sir John O’Reilly, President, Khalifa University, said: “This Khalifa University-University of Manchester collaboration is greatly to be welcomed. It has all the hallmarks of a most successful approach to inspiring and nurturing outstanding research, innovation and enterprise in graphene to be taken forward to the benefit of the wider community.”

 

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester, said: “We look forward to a long and productive partnership with Khalifa University that will realize the potential of graphene to address global challenges including water and energy security and above all sustainability.”

 

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University, said: “We are delighted to enter into this partnership with the University of Manchester and encourage innovation in graphene through a pipeline of projects, as well as focus on transferring technology towards commercialization. Through this agreement, we will continue to not only focus our research activities on existing flagship projects in water filtration, construction, energy storage and composites but also expand to new areas. This combination of virtual and in-person collaborations will also include exchange of PhD students and sponsored labs within the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) at Manchester.”

 

Professor Luke Georghiou, Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, , said: “Our excellent relationship with our partners in Abu Dhabi, including Khalifa University and Masdar, has been vital in the success of the world-leading graphene research and innovation activities at The University of Manchester, especially in driving forward the commercialisation of 2D materials in our facilities based in the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre. This new investment will deliver a game-changing step change in our lab-to-market ambitions – and will accelerate the translation of graphene in an unprecedented way.” 

 

Professor Hassan Arafat, Senior Director, RIC-2D, said: “The overarching goal of RIC-2D is to be a catalyst for economic growth in the UAE, by enabling industrial and public entities within the country to utilize graphene and other 2D materials in new technologies that add economic value and solve pressing societal challenges such as water scarcity and greenhouse emissions. Therefore, the center will support a range of fundamental and translational research projects, in addition to commercialization and technology transfer activities. Graphene@Manchester has accumulated significant experience doing the same in the UK over the past decade. Hence, they were naturally identified as one of RIC-2D’s most strategic partners”.  

 

James Baker, CEO of Graphene@Manchester, explained: “We have built a unique model of innovation for advanced materials in Greater Manchester by successfully attracting regional, national and international investment.

 

“The RIC-2D programme will be a significant funding boost for UK-based graphene research and commercialisation. It is set to significantly accelerate the work that is already happening in our ecosystem and help with the application and commercialisation of 2D materials at a rate much faster than you would normally expect for a revolutionary new material like graphene.

 

“This provides an opportunity to fast-track technologies that are urgently needed to tackle immediate challenges like climate change or the energy crisis.“The University of Manchester and Khalifa University will play a key role in connecting our ambitions by synchronizing new research with key industry and supply-chain companies across a range of sectors.

 

“Our lab-to-market model will link up fundamental research with applied research and ultimately be part of a pipeline delivering new, market-ready technologies.  The program will also provide industry-standard equipment and capabilities for the rapid scale-up and pilot production of prototypes.”

 

Graphene@Manchester’s world-class facilities and resources are supported by internationally renowned academics and industry-experienced engineers and innovation experts, working across a very broad range of novel technologies and applications.

 

“Together, these experts will focus on industry-led 2D material development and look to help companies design, develop, scale-up, and ‘de-risk’ the next generation of innovative products and processes,” added James Baker.

 

NOTES:

  1. Khalifa University’s newly launched Research & Innovation Center for Graphene & 2D Materials will host a range of activities to support both research and technology advancement of graphene and other enhanced 2D materials in the region.

FACT FILE – Joint R&D Programme

The joint R&D program between The University of Manchester and Khalifa University will provide a pipeline of projects from the near to long term to ensure that RIC-2D development activities remain world-leading and are based upon a strong scientific foundation.

 

Part of the R&D program will focus on Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 1-3 – i.e. early stage research and development – beyond which the research teams will collaborate with applications experts at the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) in a bid to transfer the technology for commercialization.

 

The shared R&D platforms are designed to support existing flagship projects, including those involved with water filtration, construction, energy storage and composites – but there will be an expectation to develop new streams. Finally, the R&D program will produce high-quality academic publications that will add to the prestige and international reputation of RIC-2D.

 

The joint program will be a combination of virtual and in-person collaborations, through the exchange of PhD students and researchers and having Khalifa University-sponsored labs based within the GEIC.

 

Clarence Michael
English Editor Specialist
29 November 2022

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From Oil to Synergy: The Growth of Singapore-Gulf Relations

Singapore and the Gulf countries have spent the past two decades forging a relationship that began in oil and has equipped the tiny nation of Singapore with tools to secure its future on the world stage, a Khalifa University academic says in a new paper.

 

Dr. Li Chen Sim, Assistant Professor-Humanities and Social Sciences, outlines the growth of Singapore’s relations with the Gulf Region since the early 2000s in an August 2022 paper published in Asian Security.

 

Initially, Singapore’s interest in the Gulf was primarily based in trading oil, but its vulnerability endeavored it to further its foreign policy and decrease its vulnerability.

 

Singapore’s major vulnerabilities at that time lay in a lack of natural resources; its complicated history with neighboring countries; and its size — it is a tiny country with nowhere to retreat if attacked. These vulnerabilities prompted a growth in Gulf-Singapore relations that continues today.

 

The most significant step in building this relationship came in 2008 when Singapore became the first country to sign a Free Trade Agreement with the GCC. This agreement became active in 2013.

 

Initial relations were more Saudi-focused, but as the UAE became a major hub, its connection with Singapore developed. The relationship has grown in both services and trade, increasing from US$2.5 billion in 2001 to US$15.5 billion in 2019.

 

On the service front, Singaporean businesses have opened up shop in the UAE, and law and architectural firms have been set up to support these companies. Singapore has opened in Qatar a 15,000-square-meter facility that includes an international experience and entertainment-technology center, and Singaporean companies have built ships for the Omani navy, to name a few.

 

Politically, Singapore has been involved in counter-piracy actions in the Gulf. The Strait of Malacca in Singapore’s backyard is the most prominent region in the world for piracy, so Singapore has extensive experience in marine security.

 

Sim suggests that the future of the relationship between Singapore and the UAE is based in technology and green energy. Importing green hydrogen is one way for Singapore — which is home to major oil refineries and petrochemical plants — to reduce its carbon footprint. And with both countries’ interests in food security, their common shortfall in farmland has forged a symbiosis in AI-based farming.

 

“Using Singapore as a benchmark for learning and growing has developed into a relationship of growing together,” Sim says.

 

Maggie Kinsella
Science Writer
30 November 2022

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Khalifa University’s Center for Biotechnology Becomes First Research Center in UAE to Receive EIAC Accreditation for ISO-15189:2012 Compliance

KU-BTC Now Eligible to Offer State-of-the-Art Scientific Research and Innovation in Molecular Biology  

 

Khalifa University of Science and Technology announced the Khalifa University Center for Biotechnology (KU-BTC) has become the first research center in the UAE to receive accreditation from the Emirates International Accreditation Centre (EIAC) for ‘‘Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)’, following its compliance with the ISO 15189:2012 requirements on quality and competence.

 

With this, KU-BTC will be conducting research in a high-quality standard environment to undertake medical research in molecular biology. This accreditation strengthens the credibility and quality of services of the KU-BTC to ensure international standards for training and scientific research with state-of-the-art technology.

 

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University, said: “Our research centers focus not only on academic and scientific exploration, but also on complying with global criteria while offering top-of-the-range research services to stakeholders. We believe creditworthy recognitions such as this acknowledgement from EIAC for ISO 15189:2012 compliance will provide us further momentum to expand and strengthen our activities across many areas within the academic, research and services spectrum.”

 

Dr. Habiba Alsafar, Director, BTC, and Associate Professor, Molecular Biology and Genetics, said: “The ISO-15189:2012 accreditation from EIAC for NGS makes KU-BTC the first research center to receive such a certification. The ISO-15189 is a mark of confidence awarded to medical laboratories – an accreditation that proves an institution’s dedication to delivering a proficient and quality research service across all aspects of the operation.”

 

More recently, the KU-BTC became the first non-diagnostic research laboratory in the UAE to get accredited by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, for fulfilling a criteria of Approved Practice Setting (APS) that can currently be otherwise fulfilled only by diagnostics facility in hospitals or medical centers or diagnostics medical laboratories.

 

KU-BTC also remains proactive in engaging students and nurturing their core skills in healthcare. For the past five years KU-BTC trained students were empowered with technical competence and the confidence required to work in a molecular biology and genetics laboratory. More than 100 third- and fourth-year bachelor’s students in Biology and related sciences participated in various Molecular Biology projects and learnt invaluable skills like DNA extraction, PCR testing, Genotyping and NGS.

 

Clarence Michael
English Editor Specialist
25 November 2022

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Better Visibility on How Fog Forms in the Emirates

A deep dive into satellite data reveals factors that contribute to protracted fog events in the United Arab Emirates.

 

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) commonly experiences intervals of heavy fog that can sometimes last for days, disrupting air and automobile traffic in the process. A new study, led by Diana Francis at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, explores the atmospheric factors that lead to these protracted periods of fog, and uncovers indicators that may help predict such events in the future.

 

Although fog events are most common in the winter, they can occur year-round, and are particularly intense in the area around Abu Dhabi International Airport, which is immediately adjacent to a vast expanse of desert. When Francis first moved from Europe to the UAE in 2020, she was taken aback by the intensity of this fog. “I expected the climate to be dry year-round, being an arid country,” she says.

 

The local factors influencing these weather patterns are reasonably well understood. During the day, moist air from the coast travels inland, where it then becomes trapped overnight as the surface of the land cools rapidly. However, little is known about the larger-scale phenomena informing this process, and Francis and colleagues analyzed 35 years of meteorological data—from 1983 to 2018—to get a better handle on these factors.

 

Read the full article here: https://www.natureasia.com/en/nmiddleeast/article/10.1038/nmiddleeast.2022.75

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Khalifa University to Run ‘Metaversity Hackathon’ Competition Supported by Microsoft

Inaugural Challenge to Focus on Using Metaverse in Education and Will be Open to Students from Local Universities in UAE  

 

Khalifa University of Science and Technology and Microsoft UAE announced their intentions to collaborate on a metaverse competition for university students in the UAE. 

 

To be named ‘Metaversity Hackathon’, the theme for the first year will focus on using the metaverse in education or ‘meta varsity’. The first year’s competition will be open to invited participants from local universities but will be expanded later as a public event for all universities. Winners will be rewarded by Khalifa University. 

 

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University, and Naim Yazbeck, General Manager, from Microsoft UAE , in the presence of officials from both partners, on the sidelines of the 15th edition of GESS Dubai Exhibition and Conference, one of the largest events in the Middle East for education professionals as well as local and international education solutions providers. 

 

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University, said: “Khalifa University is delighted to partner with Microsoft Gulf to launch the Metaversity Hackathon and assist in nurturing innovation and creativity among students. We believe our academic and research expertise together with Microsoft’s technical capabilities will bring increased synergy to the competition, while strengthening the knowledge base of students.” 

 

Naim Yazbeck, General Manager, Microsoft UAE, stated: “Metaverse technologies have many applications and the potential to further enhance the way we provide an engaging and stimulating learning experience for our students. Hackathons can uncover new, exciting use cases but more importantly present an opportunity to aspiring coders to experiment with cutting edge technologies. We are excited to be supporting Khalifa University on its mission to provide both – a learning experience and an opportunity to innovate to the UAE’s student population.”

 

Microsoft UAE will provide technical readiness to participants, while additionally offering technical mentor experts to coach them during the ‘Metaversity Hackathon’ competition. Moreover, participants will also learn ways to adopt Microsoft technology and hardware in the mixed reality space for the competition. 

 

As a research-intensive academic institution, Khalifa University is closely involved in organizing and hosting hackathons, bringing together students to collaborate on coding for developing software or hardware projects, to help create a functioning product. Students of Khalifa University continue to win top awards at global and regional hackathon competitions.

 

Clarence Michael
English Editor Specialist
16 November 2022

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Dr. Emad W. Al Shalabi receives the 2022 SPE Giovanni Paccaloni Young Professional Service Award

Khalifa University’s Assistant Professor, Petroleum and Engineering, was honored by the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

 

Khalifa University Assistant Professor Dr. Emad W. Al Shalabi recently received the SPE International Giovanni Paccaloni Young Professional Service Award for his contributions to the community and the oil and gas industry.

 

This is one of six awards that Dr. Al Shalabi has received from SPE over the past two years, including the 2021 SPE International Outstanding Technical Reviewer, the 2021 SPE Regional Reservoir Description and Dynamics Award, the 2020 SPE Regional Public Service Award, the 2020 SPE Regional Service Award, and the 2020 SPE Regional Young Member Outstanding Service Award for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region.

 

 “I am extremely glad to be selected for this prestigious SPE award, which reflects my contribution to the oil and gas industry, petroleum-engineering profession, as well as SPE society and community,” Dr. Al Shalabi said. “I would like to thank the nominator and letter providers as well as Khalifa University for the support throughout my journey.”

 

Dr. Al Shalabi’s research is primarily focused on enhanced/improved-oil recovery techniques and reservoir simulation and modeling. He has authored and co-authored more than 90 scientific journals and conference proceedings. Additionally, he is the associate editor for the Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering and the SPE Reservoir Engineering and Evaluation Journal.

 

The Society of Petroleum Engineers offers this award to international recipients for their contribution to community service and contributions to the oil and gas industry.

 

The SPE Board of Directors has also invited Dr. Al Shalabi to serve on the Education and Accreditation Committee. This committee is focused on education, sharing knowledge and exploring the production of oil and gas resources as well as developing associated technologies. It is dedicated to the proposition that petroleum engineers must focus on environmental impact through operational efficiency and exploring new energy resources. 

 

 “I am delighted to be part of this esteemed and important committee especially through the current challenges faced in meeting global energy demand and highlighting the skills required for a future petroleum engineer,” he said.

 

Maggie Kinsella
Science Writer
23 November 2022

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Dr. Mohamed El Moursi Receives the Khalifa Education Award in the Field of Higher Education

Khalifa University congratulates the professor of electrical engineering and computer science on receiving the Khalifa Education Award in higher education (Distinguished University Professor).

 

Khalifa University professor Mohamed El Moursi was honored recently for his work in electrical engineering and computer science with the Khalifa Award for Education.

 

The award, in the area of higher education, notes Dr. El Moursi’s passion for education, research, university and community service and for enriching the field of education through innovative means with a focus on renewable energy integration and smart grid. This award is recognized by the UAE’s Ministry of Education and the Arab world and is offered solely to distinguished professors.

 

Dr. El Moursi’s research has delivered innovative solutions to integrating renewable energy sources such as solar energy and wind energy to the electric power grid. In addition, he developed several in-house experimental prototypes and tools along with his research team that are currently in operation with the Power Utilities. For example, he developed a novel Stability Assessment, Visualization and Enhancement (SAVE) Tool for TRANSCO’s network based on artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced deterministic Techniques. Along with his KU team, he also developed a novel Renewable Energy Management System (REMS Tool) for K.A. CARE (KSA). His research has been funded and supported by manufacturers, corporations and research facilities in North America, Europe, South Korea and the GCC.

 

“I am truly honored and deeply thankful for this valuable recognition.This wouldn’t have happened without the great support of my esteemed colleagues, research team, students and Khalifa University,” Dr. El Moursi said.

 

Dr. El Moursi has received other national and international awards, including the UAE Mission Innovation Champion in Vancouver, Canada, Faculty Research Excellence Award for the College of Engineering and Outstanding Associate Editor award of the IEEE Transaction on Power Systems.

 

“With this valuable recognition, I’m looking forward to maximizing my efforts and contributions to rise up the academic standards in education and research at Khalifa University and UAE with international recognition,” he said. 

 

Dr. El Moursi has published 211 scientific articles in top quality journals and conferences and has three U.S. patents. He has supervised 30 masters and 9 Ph.D. theses.  

 

The Khalifa Education Awards were established in 2007 to encourage focus and innovation in education in the United Arab Emirates, the surrounding region and the international community.

 

Maggie Kinsella
Science Writer
23 November 2022

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Saif bin Zayed Witnesses Graduation of 1,191 Khalifa University Students

H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, conferred degrees on 1,191 bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD students of Khalifa University of Science and Technology at a graduation ceremony, held under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

 

Dignitaries, members of the University’s board of trustees, faculty and staff, including Professor Sir John O’Reilly, President, Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, and Dr. Ahmed Al Shoaibi, Senior Vice-President, Academic and Student Affairs. The ceremony was also attended by graduates and members of their families.

 

Sheikh Saif congratulated the students on their graduation and wished them success for the future.

 

He emphasised that the wise directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed have helped Khalifa University achieve prestigious international rankings. He praised the University’s various advancements in academics, research and technology innovations, especially being the only university from the UAE to be ranked among the top 200 universities in the world. He also commended the university’s consistent efforts towards achieving further milestones that has firmly cemented its position among the top institutions in the world.

 

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