University Leadership Council Launched in UAE

Abu Dhabi-UAE - The University Leadership Council (ULC) was launched in the UAE today underthe patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAEMinister for Higher Education and Scientific Research.

The new organization will provide a platform for thought leadership andoffer actionable recommendations to deepen collaboration and advance regionallyrelevant research and innovation.

The ExecutiveCommittee of the University Leadership Council consists of representatives fromfive leading UAE universities. They include Dr. Tod Laursen, President ofKhalifa University, Dr. Larry Wilson, Provost of Zayed University (ZU), Dr.Peter Heath, Chancellor of American University of Sharjah (AUS), Dr. Rory Hume,Provost of the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), and Dr. FredMoavenzadeh, President of Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, anindependent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advancedenergy and sustainable technologies.

The fiveleading universities who are members of the UniversityLeadership Council,in collaboration with the nation's top academic institutions, will generatecreative ideas and foster common interests for spearheading innovation andtechnology transfer in the region under the new organization.

More UAE-baseduniversities are expected to become members of the University LeadershipCouncil (ULC). A logo of the new Council was later unveiled.

To fulfill theprime responsibility towards the community, the academic leaders will drive theonset of new concepts especially through research and sow the seeds of profoundchange in the mindsets of students and build a foundation for the advent ofscientific advancements under the new initiative. By coming together andinitiate collaborative efforts, the academic leaders will help advance thenation's socio-economic development and expand the knowledge base within theUAE and indeed the region more broadly.

The Council hasa clear mandate to interface with industry and government to bring about aclearer understanding of the goals and mission of research-based universitiesand to work collaboratively towards common goals such as promoting a culture ofresearch and innovation (R&I), advancing the educational goals of the UAE-baseduniversities and alignment of policy with the government with regard to meetingthe requirements of the industry and the economy.

The UniversityLeadership Council will focus on higher education issues and needs, fostersynergy through complementary and cooperative research and academic activities,as well as act as a link for faculty and students to interface with both thepublic and private sectors. It will also seek financial support from industry, government,and private individuals for relevant academic and research activities withinmember institutions. Ultimately, the ULC serves to promote the overall economicdevelopment of the country by broadening the base of knowledge and sharingtechnology across multiple stakeholders.

As a part ofthis strategy, the Executive Committee has scheduled an upcoming workshoptitled 'Government, Industry and Academic Partnership to Promote Science andTechnology in Abu Dhabi'. It will aim to gather influential members from thegovernment, industry and academia.

Dr. Tod Laursensaid: "Khalifa University is an academic institution with a very clear missionto establish an internationally recognized center of higher education andprovide regionally relevant research and innovation. We are pleased to supportthis initiative and collaborate with other research-driven institutions in theUAE. The Council's mandate aligns very well with our mission to expand theknowledge economy and with our collective desire to highlight the critical rolethat UAE-based institutions have in making this economic transformation areality."

Dr. LarryWilson said: "Zayed University aims to prepare today's students to be capableleaders of tomorrow to provide the knowledge and skillsets required to securethe country's long-term social and economic progress. We will support anycollaboration effort that supports human development and we believe theestablishment University Leadership Council is a step in the right directionthat will ensure the country's continued development."

Dr. Peter Heathsaid: "Rooted in Arab culture, American University of Sharjah is part of alarger concept of revitalizing intellectual life in the Middle East. We believethe University Leadership Council will play a crucial role once again inbringing the Arab world back to its pioneering status in education andknowledge and we are ready to contribute to this key initiative in the UAE."

Dr. Rory Hume said: "As a world-class centerfor applied research, national and international outreach, innovation andoutcome-based learning, the United Arab Emirates University strongly believesin collaborative efforts on knowledge sharing. The University LeadershipCouncil aims to focus on research and innovation through collective measuresthat will help develop human capital and we are keen to extend our cooperationto the new organization to achieve its objectives."

Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh said: "With the influx of newlyestablished graduate research-based universities, the formation of a UniversityLeadership Council has become vitally important. Education holds the key tosocial and economic progress and it is the responsibility of the academicinstitutions in the UAE to effectively inform and educate its graduates so thatthey become the leaders of tomorrow and transform the UAE into aknowledge-based economy."