Focus on Advancing Joint Research across Robotics, Power Engineering, and Emerging Technologies
Khalifa University of Science and Technology and the Institute of Energy Economics Japan (IEEJ) today announced they hosted the 2026 UAE-Japan Industry-Academia Collaboration Steering Board meeting in Abu Dhabi, reinforcing the growing strategic partnership between the UAE and Japan in science, technology, and innovation. The Board agreed to organize a bilateral research workshop and initiation of a student exchange program for 2026.
His Excellency Professor Ebrahim Al Hajri, President, Khalifa University, welcomed the Japanese delegation that included Dr. Tatsuya Terazawa, Chairman and CEO of IEEJ, Tokuya Kanamori, Managing Director, Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) in Abu Dhabi, Dr. Atsushi Yamashita, Professor, Department of Human and Engineered Environmental Studies, University of Tokyo, Dr. Shinya Ohtsuka, Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, and Shiro Murakawa, Senior Director, Civil Engineering Group, Nikken Sekkei Ltd. and Executive Officer, Marine Inverse Dam Association.
The meeting was co-chaired by Professor Samuel Mao, Director, ASPIRE Research Institute of Sustainability, Khalifa University, and Dr. Yukari Yamashita, Managing Director, IEEJ. Dr. Ashraf Al Najdawi, Vice-President, External Relations, and Chief of Staff, Khalifa University, and various faculty members attended the meeting.
His Excellency Professor Al Hajri said: 鈥淥ur partnership with Japan reflects Khalifa University鈥檚 commitment to driving high鈥慽mpact research that supports the UAE鈥檚 long鈥憈erm innovation agenda. By bringing together leading researchers, industry partners, and policymakers from both countries, we are strengthening a collaborative ecosystem that accelerates scientific discovery and delivers real鈥憌orld solutions. The UAE and Japan share a vision for advancing technology that benefits our societies, and today鈥檚 meeting is a strong step forward in realizing that shared ambition.鈥�
Research teams from Khalifa University and partner institutions from Japan presented significant progress in strategic areas. These included joint updates in robotics by Dr. Yamashita and Dr. Jorge Dias, Deputy Director, Center for Autonomous Robotics System (KUCARS), and Professor, Computer and Information Engineering, Khalifa University, as well as collaborative achievements in power engineering presented by Dr. Ohtsuka and Dr. Noureddine Harid, Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering, Khalifa University. Shiro Murakawa from Nikken Sekkei offered an update of the inverse dam project jointly developed with Kyoto University and Khalifa University. The discussions also covered expanding high-impact interdisciplinary research, increasing joint grant proposals, enhancing researcher and student mobility, as well as strengthening mechanisms for sustained knowledge exchange.
The Steering Board meeting highlighted the deepening cooperation under the Japan鈥揢AE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Initiative (CSPI), launched in 2018, reaffirmed by a joint declaration in 2022, Through these declarations, Khalifa University and IEEJ continue to expand joint research programs, expert exchanges, and knowledge sharing activities aligned with national priorities in both countries.
Clarence Michael
English Editor – Specialist听
