His Excellency Dr. Ali Rashid Al Noaimi, Vice Chancellor of the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), stressed that innovation and creativity are part of UAE society. This is thanks to the national leadership’s support of such initiatives. He made these statements during the Ramadan Council held on the evening of Tuesday 23rd, June, 2015 in the University Social Club (Al Multaqa) in the presence of faculty and staff. The council discussed the support of the national leadership for scientific research and innovation.

Dr. Al-Noaimi said that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, has lead the way in launching such initiatives and challenges in order to support a culture of scientific research and innovation in various areas. Thanks to his vision the UAE in general, and Dubai in particular, has turned into a global, tourist and cultural destination; becoming a role model for the transformation of an oil-based to a knowledge-based economy. This is highlighted by the diversity on display and by supporting universities, students, scientists, and researchers.

Dr. Al-Noaimi explained that academics and researchers working in national universities should adopt the government’s initiatives and provide all the support and assistance required. He pointed out that UAEU, thanks to the directives of His Excellency Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of UAEU, has adopted many initiatives, launched new ones, supported a culture of research and hosted experts and researchers from around the world. His Excellency believes that the university should be a forum for discussing ideas, conducting research, and other studies.

Professor Mohamed Albaili, Deputy Vice President for Academic Affairs, said that UAEU will launch a Science Park at the beginning of the next academic year as an initiative to support a culture of scientific research and innovation in the UAE. He said that this park will be a hub for innovation and a forum for researchers and developers. It will be different from traditional research and study centers. The UAE hopes to cooperate with international companies and believes that its students have a special role to play in such projects.

The audience was aware of the important role played by UAEU in inculcating a culture of research and innovation by supplying the community and the national labor market with qualified graduates capable of taking on responsibilities and burdens. They noted that graduates of UAEU are in demand from employers.