Conference to Highlight Abu Dhabi’s Role in Promoting Research in VNS Technique Used for Machine Learning Applications, Manufacturing and Logistics ��

Khalifa University and the EURO Working Group on Metaheuristics (EWG EU/ME) have announced the 8th International Conference on Variable Neighborhood Search (ICVNS 2021) will be held virtually from 21-25 March 2021 in Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi Culture and Tourism is a co-organizer.��

The Variable Neighborhood Search (VNS) technique is widely used in many artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications. The VNS algorithms can facilitate integrated manufacturing and batch-delivery scheduling, which minimizes delays. VNS can be used for better coordination within a supply chain, especially among the raw-material providers, manufacturing facilities, whole-sale distributors and customers, in order to obtain global efficiency in logistics.��

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University, is the Co-Chair of ICVNS 2021, while Dr. Pierre Hansen, HEC Montréal, Canada, will be the Honorary Chair. Dr. Nenad Mladenović, Visiting Professor, and Dr. Mohammed Omar, Department Head of Engineering Systems and Management, Khalifa University, are General co-Chairs, while Dr. Andrei Sleptchenko, Assistant Professor, Industrial and Systems Engineering, will be the Conference Chair.��

A total of 27 papers will be presented at the 8th ICVNS virtual conference, providing a stimulating environment to researchers from various scientific fields to share their knowledge and expertise, and discuss ideas. A total of 14 papers will be published in a SCOPUS-listed volume. The papers from Khalifa University will be citing the works of Dr. Mladenovic, while the conference is fully dedicated to development and applications of the VNS technique proposed by him.��

Dr. Panos Pardalos, Professor, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Florida, Dr. Yury Kochetov, Professor, Laboratory Mathematical Models of Decision Making, Sobolev Institute of Mathematics, Novosibirsk, Russia, and Dr. Bassem Jarboui, Professor, Higher ��ݮ��Ƶ of Technology, Abu Dhabi, will be the plenary speakers.��

The ICVNS 2021 will cover topics including ‘mixed integer programming’, ‘graphs, communication networks’, ‘clustering, data mining, location, and healthcare’, ‘Inventory, routing, supply chains’, ‘packing and covering’, ‘discovery sciences’, ‘berth allocation and quay crane scheduling’, as well as ‘public transport scheduling’. Selected papers presented at ICVNS 2021 will be published by Springer in the Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS) series.��

The macro-level research of Khalifa University’s Digital Supply Chain and Operations Management (DSOM) aims to provide real-world, cutting edge focus on the digital transactions, management, and optimization in multiple domains such as maritime logistics, production lines, and healthcare delivery systems. Formulated in precise mathematical definitions, VNS is also simple, clear, and universally applicable, and is known for robustness, user-friendliness, innovation, generality, interactivity and multiplicity.

Clarence Michael
English Editor Specialist
21 March 2021

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Khalifa University of Science and Technology and the IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Program (IEAGHG) announced the 15th International Virtual Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies (GHGT-15) Conference, the biennial international gathering on greenhouse mitigation technologies, opened on 15 March.

The first-ever GHGT conference highlighted the advantages of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies and to discuss current status and future directions for the CCS deployment.

His Excellency Eng�� Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) gave the opening remarks, followed by a welcome note delivered by Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Conference Co-Chair, and Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology.

The four-day conference speakers included Kelly Thambimuthu, Chair, IEA Greenhouse Gas (IEAGHG), Bob Dudley, Chairman, Oil and Gas Climate Initiative – OGCI, Tony Espie, Chairman, CO2 Capture Project – CCP, Mechthild Wörsdörfer, Director of Sustainability, Technology & Outlooks, IEA, Bjørn Otto Sverdrup, Chairman, Executive Committee, OGCI, and Roy Vardheim, CEO (Acting), Gassnova.

A total of 355 oral presentations in 71 sessions, six panel discussions, and 254 poster presentations were presented at the GHGT-15, confirming the seven-stream technical program and keynote agendas. Khalifa University had 11 presentations accepted in oral sessions and 10 posters from faculty and students.

His Excellency, Eng. Awaidah Musrshed Al Marar, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, delivered the opening keynote where he emphasized the emirate’s commitment to a responsible energy transition and the importance of Carbon Capture Utilization & Storage (known as CCUS) for the sustainability of the UAE and the country’s efforts to find balanced and inclusive solutions to the mixed challenges of energy and climate change.

His Excellency said: “We are committed to developing and implementing cleaner, sustainable energy solutions that can protect our economy, our security and our environment for decades to come. We aim to enable a responsible energy transition that is built around reliability, affordability, security and reduced environmental impact. These are fundamental pillars in our energy policy, and carbon capture and storage will be an important component of our policy moving forward to ensure security of supply in a carbon-constrained environment.

His Excellency added: “Carbon Capture Utilization & Storage is gaining global momentum as a viable, safe and commercially proven technology to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from large-scale operations such as oil and gas and heavy industries. Abu Dhabi is capitalizing on CCUS for CO2-enhanced oil recovery and events like GHGT provide an excellent platform to explore how CCUS can help us to take advantage of our vast oil and gas resources while achieving large-scale CO2 reductions and cost efficiencies.”

Dr. Al Hammadi said: “The line-up of renowned speakers and the myriad oral and poster presentations strongly indicate the large-scale virtual participation of scientists, researchers and innovators in carbon capture technologies. We at Khalifa University are proud to bring this high-level conference to the Middle East for the first time. GHGT conference witnesses the submission of 600 papers and ��ݮ��Ƶ the UAE’s active role as a key contributor to carbon mitigation and climate change measures.”

Tim Dixon, Conference Co-Chair, said: “As the premier international conference on carbon capture and storage, (CCS), staff at IEAGHG and the team at Khalifa University have worked incredibly hard to adjust the format to be able provide an engaging and successful platform for this event. This mammoth feat of bringing together and scheduling nearly 600 presentations over the four-day period, will ensure the GHGT authors maintain their platform to share and deliver their results that will provide crucial data and information to the greenhouse gas mitigation audience across the globe.”

The GHGT-15 gains significance because Abu Dhabi is already implementing some of the major CCS projects. According to a Global CCS Institute report, the next few years could feasibly see an unprecedented take-off of CCS in the Middle East, especially in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, perhaps to the point that the region could evolve to be a critical ‘global hotspot’ for CCS. The report adds that as regional interest in low-carbon hydrogen grows, with its vast underground storage potential, abundant natural gas resources and excess production capacity, the Middle East could use its developing CCS expertise and location to develop a clean hydrogen export industry.

A recent analysis by the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that CCS deployment will require an investment of around US$9.7 trillion in order to achieve the Paris Climate Agreement goals.

Dr. Mohammad Abu Zahra, conference Technical Co-Chair, explained that GHGT-15 will cover important topics including advances in capture technology development, CCS for industrial sources and hydrogen, and CCS technology assessment, cost and system integration. Other topics include CO₂ Utilization for GHG mitigation, Demonstration projects and major national and international CCS research developments and demonstration programs, as well as Developments in other storage options for CO₂.

Clarence Michael
English Editor Specialist
15 March 2021

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Khalifa University of Science and Technology and the IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Program (IEAGHG) have announced that the 15th International Virtual Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies (GHGT-15) Conference, the principal international gathering on greenhouse mitigation technologies organized once every two years, will be held virtually from 15-18 March 2021 in Abu Dhabi.

This is the first time a GHGT conference has come to the Middle East region to highlight the advantages of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies and to discuss current status and future directions for the CCS deployment.

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, GHGT-15 Co-Chair and Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University, said: “Khalifa University is delighted to support multilateral institutions such as the IEAGHG and bring the GHGT-15 conference to Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Abu Dhabi has already adopted advanced carbon mitigation technologies, implementing CCS projects that benefit diverse stakeholders. We believe the conference will adequately highlight newly emerging technologies, while demonstrating the proactive role the UAE continues to play in the sustainable energy area. Our support to this conference stems from Khalifa University’s emphasis on research and its efforts in providing a strong learning ground for tomorrow’s professionals in alternative energy and sustainability through academic and outreach programs.”

Tim Dixon, IEAGHG General Manager, said: “As the premier international conference on carbon capture and storage, (CCS), staff at IEAGHG and the team at Khalifa University have worked incredibly hard to adjust the format to be able provide an engaging and successful platform for this event. This mammoth feat of bringing together and scheduling nearly 600 presentations over the four-day period, will ensure the GHGT authors maintain their platform to share and deliver their results that will provide crucial data and information to the greenhouse gas mitigation audience across the globe.”

The virtual GHGT-15 gains significance following some of Abu Dhabi’s major CCS projects including around 0.8 Mtpa of CO_2�� that is captured from the Emirates Steel plant as Phase I of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) Al Reyadah project.

A recent analysis by the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that CCS deployment to achieve the Paris Climate Agreement goals will require investment of around US$9.7 trillion. According to the Global CCS Institute’s report, the next few years could feasibly see an unprecedented take-off of CCS in the Middle East, especially in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, perhaps to the point that the region could evolve to be a critical ‘global hotspot’ for CCS.

Clarence Michael
English Editor Specialist
10 March 2021

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Virtual Event Includes Invited Talks, Late Breaking Results and Demos on Design and Implementation of Robotics, Automation, Intelligent Machines, Systems, and Devices on Civilian Safety ��

Khalifa University of Science and Technology has organized the IEEE’s International Symposium on Safety, Security, and Rescue Robotics (SSRR) 2020, a live online international forum promoting the study of security and robotics, and incorporating those technologies in a variety of application areas.

The SSRR 2020 will focus on novel applications related with protocols for ‘Pandemic Safety’, and ‘Compliance Monitoring and Assistance’, while several invited speakers, globally-renowned in the SSRR domain, will address the symposium. The event will additionally cover design and implementation of robotics, automation, intelligent machines, systems, and devices that can contribute to civilian safety.

Khalifa University’s Centre for Autonomous Robotic Systems (KUCARS) will present two papers at the three-day SSRR 2020 conference, in which a total of 42 selected papers will also be presented. The IEEE SSRR 2020 is now open for free registration at .

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, General Chair, SSRR 2020, and Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said: “We are delighted to organize this virtual IEEE SSRR 2020 to present some of the key innovations in robotics, intelligent systems and security-related technologies. The SSRR 2020 also follows the successful three-day MBZIRC 2020 that was organized by Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi in February earlier this year. We believe some of the latest innovations that will be presented at this symposium will pave the way for futuristic solutions to evolve in the near future.”

SSRR 2020 will be themed under three segments – ‘Autonomous search and rescue’, ‘Communications for reliable data transfer’, and ‘Casualty assessment, care, and extraction’. Emergency responders and first care providers will be involved in presentations and discussions at the symposium that will create a unique opportunity for development and exchange of research ideas and technical solutions.

Some of the leading experts who will present papers include Prof Dr. Robin Murphy, Texas A&M University, who will focus on ‘How Robots are Helping with COVID-19 and How They Can Do More in the Future’, and Prof Dr. Satoshi Tadokoro, Tohoku University, who will highlight the ‘Impact Tough Robotics Challenge’. Prof Dr. Peter Corke, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), will present a paper on ‘Robots that see and navigate outdoors’, and Prof Dr. Lino Marques, Institute for Systems and Robotics, University of Coimbra (ISR-UC), Portugal, will present a paper on ‘Mobile robot olfaction: Towards search and rescue robot dogs’, while Prof Dr. Giuseppe Loianno, New York University, will speak on ‘Agile and Resilient Autonomous Flight’.

Clarence Michael
English Editor Specialist
4 November 2020

The post Khalifa University to Organize IEEE SSRR 2020 Global Symposium to Showcase Robotics Innovations and MBZIRC 2023 appeared first on Khalifa University.

Focus on Newly Launched College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Pre-Medical Bridge Program and Bachelor’s Program in Chemistry

Khalifa University of Science and Technology will display its full range of academic programs, research activities and scholarship offerings at NAJAH 2018, the UAE’s leading higher education and training event that helps students identify the right education opportunities.

The University’s stand at NAJAH 2018, to be held from 31 October to 2 November at the Abu Dhabi National Convention Center (ADNEC), will showcase its newly launched College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Pre-Medical Bridge program and Bachelor’s in Chemistry, in addition to its existing academic programs. Khalifa University currently offers 12 Bachelor’s, 16 Master’s and two doctoral (PhD) level programs.

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said: “Participation in NAJAH 2018 will give us an opportunity to highlight our global rankings, international collaborations, range of research activities, and faculty expertise that make Khalifa University one of the choicest institutions in the region for higher education. Our campuses offer students a perfect platform for developing their talents and enhancing their skill levels while contributing to the UAE through participating in the creation of intellectual and human capital. We believe that through this event more students will gain an insight into Khalifa University, an academic institution that gives students a range of options to chart their future.”

A prime example of the kind of support KU provides to the youth is Khalifa Innovation Center, which supports and sponsors technology startups. The University also plans to launch Master’s programs in Biomedical Engineering and Molecular Biology in the near future, and received Abu Dhabi’s Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) approval in September 2018 for its BSc in Physics degree program, for which it is now awaiting approval from the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA).

Khalifa University offers its graduate students comprehensive scholarships that cover all necessary educational expenses and in some cases offer recipients the potential to earn a monthly stipend. These include the Buhooth Scholarship Program, KU MED Scholarship program, Graduate Research / Teaching Assistant (GRTA) scholarships, Waived-Fees Scholarship that helps employed UAE Nationals undertake graduate studies on a part-time basis and scholarship providing full coverage of tuition fees, the Future Teacher program for Emiratis and expat undergraduate students, and the Research Center Sponsorship, which helps graduate students to conduct research within one of the research centers on campus.

The Buhooth Scholarship Program offers Master’s and Doctorate scholarships to UAE Nationals with the aim of promoting graduate studies and research, as well as developing specialized human capital in the areas of science and engineering for the benefit of national institutions.

The University’s faculty body represents 40 nationalities, while the student body for the 2018-2019 academic year represents 55 nationalities, which includes more than 2,700 UAE national students.

The university has been ranked 1st in the UAE by the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2019, as well as being 1^st in the Arab region in the categories of Research and Industry Income. The 2019 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) ‘Top 50 Under 50’ rankings placed Khalifa University top not only in the UAE but also in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Clarence Michael

News Writer
29 October 2018

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Khalifa University Presents Eight ICT Research Innovations at 37th IEEE Global Communications Conference

His Excellency Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, UAE Minister of Education and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Khalifa University of Science and Technology, inaugurated the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s first-ever IEEE Global Communications (Globecom) Conference in Abu Dhabi.

The 37th IEEE Global Communications Conference (Globecom 2018), one of the IEEE Communications Society’s two flagship conferences dedicated to driving innovation in nearly every aspect of communications, was held on 9-13 December at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC). Themed ‘Gateway to a Connected World’, the conference offers five full days of original paper presentations, tutorials, workshops, keynotes, demonstrations, industry sessions and social events designed to further career opportunities and in-depth understanding of the latest communications advancements worldwide.

Khalifa University’s faculty and students presented eight research innovations in the ICT sector at this international telecommunications-focused conference, alongside nearly 1,000 technical and research papers. Experts from industry leaders including Intel Corporation, Nokia Bell Labs, Huawei Wireless, and Canadian telecommunications company TELUS, addressed the event.
The UAE’s telecom operator Etisalat is the ‘star diamond’ sponsor for Globecom 2018, while =Khalifa University is one of the ‘diamond’ sponsors.

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, General Chair of Globecom 2018 Conference, and Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said: “With our partners, we are delighted to bring this major global conference for the first time to the Middle East and North Africa region, gathering distinguished speakers from industry, academia and government sectors. These professionals will share their expertise and exchange novel ideas that will shape future generations of communication technologies. We believe the Globecom 2018 conference will showcase the innovation strength of the UAE and the region in various telecommunications
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Some of the innovations Khalifa University is presenting include the development of key enabling techniques for the next generation wireless networks, mobile agents integrated with web services for use in personalized healthcare, smart homes, big data analytics and e-commerce, and a novel approach to trace unknown tweets to their actual authors.

This five-day event included six keynote speakers highlighting the state-of-the art advancements in wireless communications, 5G, and the Internet-of-Things, among other emerging topics in telecommunications systems. In addition to the main symposia, IEEE Globecom 2018 featured workshops on emerging and important topics in the field, which will be held on the first and last day of the conference.

Keynote speakers included Bell Labs President and Nokia Corporate Chief Technology Officer, Marcus Weldon; Huawei Fellow and Huawei Wireless Chief Technology Officer Dr. Wen Tong; Vodafone Chair and Technical University Dresden Professor Gerhard P. Fettweis; and Intel Fellow in Network Platforms Group and Chief Technologist for Network Infrastructure at Intel Corporation Udayan Mukherjee.
The conference received a total of 2,562 paper submissions from 76 countries, out of which 999 papers have been accepted – corresponding to an acceptance rate of 38.9%.

Clarence Michael
News Writer
12 December 2018

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Research Shared at Technical Sessions While Students Lead Hands-On Activities and Demonstrations in STEM Areas

Khalifa University faculty members are leading several technical sessions and presenting papers at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) 2018 while a dozen student volunteers lead hands-on activities and demonstrations for visitors from different schools at Young ADIPEC.

Khalifa University is the ‘Academic Partner’ for ADIPEC 2018, which is being held on 12-15 November at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC). The sixth annual Young ADIPEC is being held at ADIPEC 2018 with the support of the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK).

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said: “Our participation in ADIPEC 2018 illustrates the faculty expertise and the scientific innovation we continue to achieve in petroleum engineering, especially in exploration and pipeline technologies. The oil and gas sector plays a critical role in the overall development of the UAE and seeking new engineering innovations in this sector through research will surely facilitate efficient production and enhanced oil recovery. We believe through this participation, industry partners and other stakeholders will gain more awareness about our strength as an institution that drives research towards achieving new techniques in this sector.”

KU has its own Khalifa University Zone at ADIPEC, where students are showcasing hands-on science-based activities at the Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics, Mathematics, and Computing stations. More than 600 students from 25 schools are visiting the event this year. The Chemistry Station features three hands-on activities, the Engineering Zone features an education kit and, the Earth Science Station has two demonstrations. The Physics Station offers three demonstrations, while the Mathematics and Computer stations feature two each.

Faculty from the Petroleum Engineering Department are co-chairing several special sessions focusing on Drilling and Completion Technology, while Chemical Engineering faculty are delivering four oral and one e-poster presentations. Four papers co-authored by Petroleum Engineering faculty are also being presented, while a Petroleum Engineering staff member is serving as a Young Professional Mentor for one of the selected teams as part of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) ADIPEC University Program judging Committee Member. There is also a special session on ‘Is Creativity Beneficial for Engineers?’ where two faculty will be sharing their perspectives.

Clarence Michael
News Writer
13 November 2018

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