Sharjah 24: Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah, opened today, Wednesday, the 15th Annual Scientific Research Forum (SRF) of the University of Sharjah, held under the theme "Effective Societal Partnership for Impactful Sustainable Research".

In his opening remarks, University of Sharjah Chancellor Dr. Hamid Majul Al Nuaimi welcomed the University President and the audience, stating that "the University of Sharjah has worked over the past years to enhance its progress in the first ranks among international universities by developing and diversifying its teaching programmes and providing competitiveness in accordance with the requirements of sophistication and prowess. New academic programmes with a science and technology focus were also developed, such as those offered by the College of Computing (such as "data science") and related to new technologies (such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and aircraft technology) that are required by the country's labour markets. Drones, robotics, computer engineering, computer science, AI, smart city infrastructure, blockchain, and other technologies are examples."

He also reviewed the university's progress in scientific research and overall growth plans in a presentation.

In his speech, Dr. Muammar Beltayeb, Vice Chancellor of the University of Sharjah for Scientific Research and Graduate Studies, celebrated the university's international reputation, noting that it has been earned through a concerted effort to achieve its goals and advance towards globalisation, with guidance from the University President. This has helped to place the University of Sharjah among the world's top international educational institutions.

Dr. Muammar Beltayeb spoke about the university's most notable accomplishments on a national and international scale, including international agreements and research partnerships in prestigious joint projects, joint supervision between the university and scientific institutions and bodies for postgraduate students, a focus on the quality of completed scientific research, and an emphasis on patents. and expanding the variety of research teams working out of universities and other academic institutions. As the number of graduate students has grown and the Scientific Innovation Centre has been set up, in addition to creating a fellowship programme for young Emiratis to do research, there has been a desire to give research conducted in Arabic worldwide significance by having it translated into English and published in high-profile international publications.

The President of the University of Sharjah was present at both the "Bridging the Gap between the University and Industry" session and a video presentation highlighting the impact of the university's scientific research on the local community.

Then, taking memorial photos with them, Sheikh Sultan honoured the sponsors, speakers, and winners of the annual University of Sharjah encouragement awards for distinguished faculty members in the fields of scientific research, teaching, and university and community service, as well as the Sharjah Islamic Bank award for faculty members and students in the field of scientific research.

The university president then toured the 29 research projects on display at the scientific exhibition that followed the forum after the formal proceedings concluded. He met with the male and female students in charge of the projects and offered an overview of the most significant research initiatives conducted in conjunction with public and private sector government entities.

The aim of this forum is to draw attention to the most significant scientific findings, conclusions, and suggestions that have emerged from the collaborative efforts of research teams and groups involved with the Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, the Research Institute for Science and Engineering, and the Research Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences.

Scientific Research Forum activities serve to further the University of Sharjah's vision, which is realised in accordance with the approach of its strategic plan and with a ceaseless and relentless pursuit to generate effective and sustainable scientific research that contributes to achieving comprehensive and sustainable social and economic development and is an effective element in overcoming the challenges and problems confronting the global community today.