22 Papers Published by Khalifa University Indicate High-Quality Research in Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences and Physical Sciences ��

Khalifa University has announced it is ranked top in the UAE and second among Arab institutions in terms of research output by the latest Nature Index 2021 Ranking. With a total of 22 research papers, and a ‘share’ of (6.53), Khalifa University remains ahead of all other contenders in the UAE.��

Among the Arab institutions, Khalifa University jumped seven places to become the second in the Nature Index 2021 ranking for research.

Khalifa University has a total of 11 research papers in Earth and Environmental Sciences, 9 in Physical Sciences and 4 in Chemistry, for the 1 May 2020 – 1 April 2021 assessment period. The UAE, as a country, had a total of 122 research papers from 10 institutions.

The Nature Index is a database of author affiliations and institutional relationships. It is an indicator of high-quality research in the Natural and Physical Sciences, including Chemistry, Life Sciences, Earth and Environmental Sciences and the Physical Sciences. The Index tracks contributions to research articles published in 82 high-quality natural-science journals, chosen by an independent group of researchers. The latest rankings were based on the Nature Index data from 1 May 2020 – 1 April 2021.��

Clarence Michael
English Editor Specialist
24 August 2021

The post Khalifa University Tops in UAE and Ranked Second in Arab World in Nature Index 2021 Ranking for Research appeared first on Khalifa University.

More than 300 Stakeholders from Industry and Government Focus on New Advancements during Event at Khalifa University Main Campus

The role of technology that is sweeping through classrooms as educators and developers create new products and services designed to enrich the academic sector was emphasized during a panel discussion by experts that was hosted as part of the 15^thannual Emirates Advanced National Research and Education Network (Ankabut) meeting that was held at the Khalifa University of Science and Technology Main Campus.

The annual meeting themed ‘Inspire the Next’, was attended by nearly 300 stakeholders from the UAE higher education sector and representatives from over 100 organizations including 50 from different post-secondary institutions. In addition, officials from government entities and senior management from major corporate sector who are involved in higher education were also present at the event.

Dr Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said: “We are delighted to host the Ankabut users meeting at our campus. As a higher education institution, Khalifa University remains vigilant about adopting and incorporating technology advancements. This is one of the main reasons why we have research centers that cover an entire gamut of technology sectors. We believe this could be one way to keep ourselves updated and be prepared in advance to tackle challenges in the academic arena.”

In his annual update, Fahem Al-Nuaimi, Chief Executive Officer, Ankabut, said: “The fruitful knowledge exchange by stakeholders during the Ankabut users meeting will surely help us in consistently elevating our services to match the industry expectations. The rapid technology changes call for swifter approach to creating new solutions, and we believe our expertise and resources will help us excel in our service offerings.”

The panel discussion on ‘What’s Next for Educational Technology?’ had participants from technology leaders such as VMWare, Schneider Electric, Huawei and Trend Micro. Panelists agreed that new technologies including AI, machine learning, and educational software are shaking up not only the students but also the role of educators, creating dynamic shifts in approaches to teaching, and remodeling the classroom. They also analyzed some of the technologies that could become trend setters in the coming years.

Other sessions at the event included a keynote by Harb Bou-Harb, Senior Director-Education, Microsoft Middle East, as well as a talk by Iqbal Ali Kham, Program Director, Blockchains and Innovation, IBM Middle East and Africa, and a speech by Don Ouyang, Managing Director, Huawei.

Other sessions covered cyber security, cloud computing, and digital transformation in public education. The day’s activities wound up with a tour of the Ankabut facilities.

Managed by Khalifa University, the Ankabut project is jointly funded by the TRA through the ICT Fund. It offers academic institutions connectivity to other education networks around the world. It also connects schools and public institutions together across the UAE. Ankabut cooperates on a national, GCC, regional and international arena, representing the UAE in conferences, exhibitions and forums.

Clarence Michael
News Writer
20 February 2019

The post 15th Annual Ankabut Users Meeting Highlights Role of Technology in Creating New Products and Services to Enrich Academic Sector appeared first on Khalifa University.

Agreement Signed at fifth Bahrain International Airshow

The UAE Space Agency has signed a Declaration of Principles with Bahrain’s National Space Science Agency (NSSA) and Khalifa University for the training of the Bahrain Space Team.

The signing took place on the sidelines of the fifth Bahrain International Airshow, held at the Sakhir Air Base in Bahrain on 14-16 November, under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain.

The agreement was signed by His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Chairman of the UAE Space Agency and His Excellency Kamal Bin Ahmed Mohammed, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, who is also responsible for supervising Bahrain’s NSSA.

The parties will collaborate in training the Bahrain Space Team in satellite technology, design, construction, testing, launching, operations, and control, in addition to cooperating to build a CubeSat to be used for scientific research and carrying out a number of environmental studies.Students from the Kingdom of Bahrain will study in Khalifa University’s Master’s concentration in space systems and technology, where they will participate in a small satellite development project funded by the UAE Space Agency. The students will also work on their individual thesis topics related to space technology under the direct supervision of various expert faculty at KU.

Speaking about the agreement, Dr. Al Falasi said: “The signing of this declaration is a tangible result of the close relationship between the UAE and Bahrain in the arena of advanced sciences and will see us working together as strategic partners in the region’s nascent but rapidly developing space sector. The ties between our two nations already extend across the political, economic, social, and cultural domains��and we have now added the exciting field of space to that inventory. Our growing collaboration in space science and exploration is a testament to our desire and commitment to bolster meaningful partnerships between our two great nations.

“The UAE space sector has reached an advanced stage that now sees it able to transfer knowledge to valued partners in the region. Our growing expertise in the field of space science, research, exploration and telecommunications is exemplified by the number of ambitious space programs and initiatives launched by the UAE. These include the UAE Astronaut Program, the Emirates Mars Mission’s Hope Probe project, Mars Scientific City and last month’s placing in orbit of KhalifaSat — an advanced piece of sophisticated technology that was designed and built entirely by Emirati engineers,” added Dr. Al Falasi.

“We are delighted to have signed this Declaration of Principles between the NSSA, the UAESA, and Khalifa University,” said H.E. Mohammed.

“First of all, I would like to thank the executive management of the UAE Space Agency for their efforts and constructive cooperation which has resulted in the signing of this declaration. This represents a significant step towards fulfilling the goals of the NSSA, in line with our strategic plans. We are looking forward to creating a skilled Bahraini team, familiar with the latest satellite technologies, and continuing to train them to expand their knowledge in this field. Such expertise will ensure the sustainability of NSSA projects and will provide a solid base of skilled technicians in this field.”

Dr. Mohamed Nasser Al Ahbabi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency added: “Cooperation between the UAE Space Agency and the Bahrain’s NSSA dates back several years, at a time when the space sector in both our countries witnessed unprecedented growth, prompted by significant government support. With the signing of this declaration, cooperation between our two countries will expand further. We will work to exchange expertise, experience, and information related to the space sector to realize our mutual objectives and interests.”

The strong UAE participation in the Airshow, alongside Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, is indicative of the long-standing relationships between the neighboring nations. Fourteen UAE companies specializing in aviation, space and defense are taking part in the Bahrain International Airshow.

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President of Khalifa University, said: “The fact that the NSSA in Bahrain has selected the UAE and Khalifa University to embrace and prepare their students is a testament to the reputation that both the UAE and Khalifa University enjoy in the region and the world. This is due to what has been achieved in terms of space infrastructure and pioneering in government, academia and research. Khalifa University has a record of achievements as a pioneer in the field of space research in the UAE, especially since it offers academic programs such as bachelor’s and graduate programs related to space. We would like to thank both the Emirates Space Agency and the NSSA of Bahrain for having the confidence in us as a strategic partner and we look forward to what the students with come up with in terms of research and innovation that will contribute to the advancement of the space sectors in both the UAE and the Kingdom of Bahrain.”

18 November 2018

The post UAE Space Agency and Khalifa University to train Bahrain Space Team appeared first on Khalifa University.

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
�徱������������Ա��.”

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

The post HE Hussain Al Hammadi Inaugurates MENA Region’s First IEEE Globecom 2018 in Abu Dhabi appeared first on Khalifa University.

Collaboration to Include Industrial-Level ‘Stability Assessment, Visualization and Enhancement’ Software Tool

��

Khalifa University, the Abu Dhabi Transmission and Dispatch company (TRANSCO), a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA), and the Manitoba Hydro International Ltd (MHI) of Canada, have signed a collaboration agreement today for building an industrial-level software to monitor, predict, and interact with network operators in real time and enable renewable energy integration with the UAE power system.

The collaboration was announced during the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2019 that is being held as part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2019 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) from 12-19 January. The agreement signing ceremony was attended by KU Executive Vice-President Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Dr Bruce Stedall, Acting Managing Director, TRANSCO, Leo St. Hilaire Senior Manager, and Jamal Al Dharif, Senior Executive, from MHI’s UAE Office, officials, faculty members and students.

The industrial level software – ‘Stability Assessment, Visualization and Enhancement’ (SAVE) tool – will utilize real-time measurements to evaluate the transmission network stability through the development of state-of-the-art mathematical methods combined with a data analytics based classification engine to precisely estimate the domain of stability and to predict the transient margins.

Furthermore, a visualization system will be developed by a team of scientific researchers to support human-in-the-loop classification, diagnosis of the transmission system events, and the visualization of system stability. The integrating modules of SAVE tool that current researchers have already been investigating, have accumulated comprehensive expertise, enabling them to reach industrial level platforms.

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, said: “This industry-academia collaboration led by Khalifa University with TRANSCO and Manitoba Hydro International reflects the partners’ commitment to develop innovative technologies that can integrate renewable energy with the existing systems. Power system stability is particularly relevant given the objective of Abu Dhabi and the UAE to significantly increase the penetration of renewable energy. The recent completion of GCC power interconnections between the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia has significantly highlighted the need for inter-area oscillations (IAOs) for greater stability. We believe this collaboration that lays emphasis on innovations such as the SAVE tool, will tackle the complexity of the challenges in integrating renewable energy with the existing power system.”

Dr. Stedall said: “We are very pleased and excited to be working with Khalifa University and Manitoba Hydro International on this project. The generation portfolio is going to change considerably in the coming years to include substantial volumes of renewable energy sources as Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE migrate to a low carbon economy. The project will support TRANSCO by ensuring that certain technical challenges resulting from the changes in the generation portfolio associated with security and stability of the system can be managed.�� As part of the project, we will also be developing the knowledge and capability of our future engineers to cope with systems employing large penetration of renewable technology.”

Dr. Dharshana Muthumuni, Managing Director, Power Systems Technology Center at MHI, said, “MHI is proud to partner with Khalifa University and TRANSCO on this significant initiative that will undoubtedly help the integration and reliable operation of power systems with large scale renewable energy sources. We are particularly pleased to collaborate with Khalifa University’s highly-skilled team, with whom we have had a long and thriving association.”

Dr. Mohamed El Moursi, Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Khalifa University, is the Principal Investigator and the Project Manager, He is a specialist in renewable energy systems (photovoltaic and wind) and smart grid innovations. He will be joined by Dr. Surour Mohamed Alaraifi, main researcher from TRANSCO, who, during his PhD studies at Khalifa University under Dr. El Moursi, developed novel techniques to study and predict the dynamics in large-scale networks that will serve as one of the key elements in this research project. Others include Dr. Ahmed Atiah, Power Network Planning & Studies Section Manager, TRANSCO, as well as Dr. Dharshana Muthumuni, Managing Director, Manitoba High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Research Center, and Dr. Farid Mosallat.

The research team working in this project includes Dr. Mohamed�� El Moursi, Dr. Ehab El-Saadany, Dr. Khalifa Al Hosani, Dr. Bashar Zahawi, Dr. Khaled Elbassioni, Dr. Wei Lee Woon and Dr. Davor Svetinovic, from Khalifa University.

The project requires complex multi-disciplinary integration of power system stability, power electronics, renewable energy systems, system control, data mining/ analytics, algorithms/ optimization and artificial intelligence.

Clarence Michael

News Writer

15 January 2019

The post KU, Transco and Manitoba Hydro International to Develop Software to Monitor Clean Energy Integration appeared first on Khalifa University.

Khalifa University, Etihad Airways, Boeing, ADNOC, Safran, GE and BAUER Resources celebrate a major milestone in developing a comprehensive sustainable aviation fuel value chain

The Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium (SBRC), a non-profit entity established by Masdar Institute that is part of Khalifa University of Science and Technology and supported by Etihad Airways, The Boeing Co, ADNOC Refining, Safran, General Electric and BAUER Resources, announced the world’s first successful commercial flight on an Etihad Airways Boeing 787 using locally produced sustainable fuel.

The flight from Abu Dhabi to Amsterdam marked a major milestone in the development of a clean, alternative aviation fuel to reduce carbon emissions. The initiative also addresses food security in the United Arab Emirates through the farming of seafood as a core element in the process.

The SBRC partners have been working together to prove the concept of a comprehensive value chain that is centered around the Seawater Energy and Agriculture System (SEAS). This is a synergistic industrial platform that supports the aviation sector, the oil and gas industry, food production and the creation of a new agricultural alternative in the UAE.

His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said: “The UAE’s visionary leadership is strongly committed to positioning the country as a global hub for innovation and sustainability. In this context, productive cross-disciplinary public-private partnerships are crucial to fueling research and development efforts and creating game-changing innovations that enable a more sustainable future.

“Deep decarbonization of energy-intensive industries has a ripple effect on food security and climate action. Clean, alternative aviation fuels are an innovative and sustainable solution to significantly reducing harmful carbon emissions. The UAE is proud to be a pioneer in this domain.”

Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Al Mehairi, Minister of Food Security in the UAE, said: “This proof of concept is a ground-breaking development that confronts local, regional and global challenges of energy, water and food security. The system’s production of seafood offers a sustainable source of nutrition for the UAE into the future.”

Etihad Airways has been at the forefront of aviation biofuel research in the region and this marks the first time that a flight has been operated on fuel derived from plants grown in saltwater.

Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer Etihad Aviation Group, said: “This is a significant milestone for the UAE and its key industries. Etihad is fully committed to this project which demonstrates a successful proof of concept that is local, viable, cost-effective and sustainable.

“Decarbonisation is important across the aviation industry and, together with our partners, Etihad is proud to be at the forefront of this pioneering new research.”

Sustainable fuel for the flight was derived from oil in Salicornia plants, which were grown on the two-hectare SEAS farm in Masdar City. The SEAS is the world’s first desert ecosystem designed to produce fuel and food in saltwater. Fish and shrimp raised at the facility provide nutrients for the plants as well as contribute to the UAE’s food production.

Dr Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said: ““The landmark achievement by the Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium, part of Masdar Institute at Khalifa University, and partners marks a new beginning for the use of clean fuel for air travel. Khalifa University is proud to be part of the consortium, driving research and innovation, while contributing to creating a sustainable biofuel value chain, supporting the UAE’s strategic objectives in energy and food sectors. The collaboration partners and Masdar Institute researchers have contributed significantly to achieve this success and we believe the use of biofuel for this commercial flight will make a compelling statement that impacts stakeholders in the aviation, energy and transportation sectors.”

Dr Al Hammadi added: “As a leading research institution in the region focused on providing cutting edge technologies in clean energy, Masdar Institute at Khalifa University remains committed to continue with its mandate to produce biofuel, clean energy, and sustainable technologies for reducing carbon emissions, as well as water and environment-related research.”

Using sustainable feedstock to produce the fuel significantly reduces life-cycle carbon dioxide emissions compared to fossil fuel. The biofuel is blended directly with jet fuel and does not require any modifications to aircraft, engines or airport fuelling delivery systems. The unique initiative also bolsters the oil and gas industry by using existing refining infrastructure, with the potential to become an important new option for sustainable aviation fuel in the future.

ADNOC Refining has played a fundamental role, providing the expertise and infrastructure to ensure the effective refining of the seed oil to meet stringent jet fuel standards. ADNOC Distribution has also provided an essential element of the project through the blending and delivery of the biofuel to the aircraft.

UOP-Honeywell’s (a founding member of the SBRC) Ecofining technology was used in the refining process of the oil and recognition is also given to Abu Dhabi Vegetable Oil Company (ADVOC) for essential assistance in the pre-treatment phases.

Jasem Al Sayegh, Chief Executive Officer ADNOC Refining, said: “We are proud of the role that ADNOC Refining is playing in carrying out this research for the SBRC pilot project. Today represents a significant step forward on the journey towards finding a final solution for commercial-scale aviation biofuel.”

Approximately 160,000 passenger flights have flown on a blend of sustainable and traditional jet fuel since the first biofuels were certified for commercial use in 2011. Sustainable aviation fuel represents a significant opportunity to help aviation meet its goals to cap the growth of carbon emissions by 2020 and cut levels to half of what they were in 2005 by 2050.

Sean Schwinn, Vice President of Strategy and Market Development for Boeing International, said:“Etihad’s flight proves SEAS is a game-changer that can substantially benefit air transport and the world. The research and technology being developed shows significant promise to transform coastal deserts into productive farmland supporting food security and cleaner skies.”

Operated by the SBRC, the SEAS pilot facility became operational in March 2016. Salt-tolerant halophyte plants that thrive in desert conditions and do not require fresh water or arable land to grow are nurtured there. After wastewater from the fish fertilizes the plants, it is diverted into a cultivated mangrove forest. This further removes nutrients and provides valuable carbon storage before the naturally filtered and treated effluent is discharged back into the sea.

16 January 2019

The post World’s First Commercial Flight Fueled from Saltwater Plants appeared first on Khalifa University.

10-meter Diameter Prototype to Help in Energy Storage, High-Efficient Power Generation, Desalination and Other Applications

Khalifa University and Wahaj Solar (Wahaj Investment L.L.C) have signed an agreement to test and verify a patented prototype in the Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) industry at the Masdar Institute Solar Platform (MISP).

The 10-meter diameter high-flux solar furnace – the first medium-scale point solar concentrator –can focus solar energy efficiently to a lower point fixed on the ground generating a very high temperature which is easily accessible. This system is unique since the focal point is fixed on the ground while the solar disk turns around it throughout the day. This would result in many applications including low cost solar energy storage allowing for 24/7 electricity production, high efficiency in electricity production, hydrogen generation from water, desalination, as well as melting metals or sand to produce glass.

The project period is one year during which the performance of the concentrator will be tested analyzed, and certain applications demonstrated by a team led by Dr. Nicolas Calvet, Assistant Professor, College of Engineering, and Chair of the Masdar Institute Solar Platform – Khalifa University. The invention has already received favorable reviews from experts in reputable international research institutes worldwide.

Dr Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said: “The MISP is a unique world-class research facility, pushing the boundaries by being multipurpose, modular and the first-of-its-kind, bringing niche capabilities to the UAE. We welcome collaborations with industry partners that will result in cutting-edge solutions in solar power, thereby facilitating faster adoption of sustainable energy technologies. We believe testing of this innovative prototype from Wahaj Solar will further demonstrate MISP’s capabilities and help in the development of CSP components, and high-temperature thermal energy storage (TES) solutions.”

Motasim Al Daour, the majority shareholder at Wahaj Solar said: “We are working with the Masdar Institute Solar Platform at Khalifa University because we would like to take advantage of the available expertise and resources at this world class facility. In collaboration with Khalifa University, we are keen launch this potentially breakthrough invention from the UAE to the entire world in the hope of considerably contributing to the progress of the CSP technology as an alternative clean source of energy.”

The technology is already patented by Wahaj’s Dr Ayman Al-Maaitah in the US, European Union, GCC and at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) with priority protection in 150 countries worldwide.

The MISP is a unique tool for developing large scale TES systems for on-demand and ‘dispatchable’ electricity production. Initially built as a demonstration plant in 2009, the facility has been significantly modified and extended by Masdar Institute in 2014 to become a user research facility also valued by industry, capable of testing large scale TES units up to 500 kWh storage capacity. This innovative and educative research facility has already attracted several international collaborations.

Clarence Michael

News Writer

20 January 2019

The post KU and Wahaj Solar Sign Agreement to Test Innovative Prototype at Masdar Institute Solar Platform appeared first on Khalifa University.

Memorandum Paves Way to Facilitate Research Collaboration

Khalifa University and the Institute of Energy Economics of Japan (IEEJ) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the development of and the support to future industry-academia collaborations covering a wide range of activities, and further strengthening their previous relationship.

The MoU was signed by Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University, and Prof. Dr. Masakazu Toyoda, Chairman and CEO of IEEJ in Abu Dhabi. The signing ceremony followed a bilateral meeting between H.E. Dr. Sultan Al-Jaber, Minister of State, Chief Executive Officer, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and Member of the Khalifa University Board of Trustees, and H. E. Hiroshige Seko, Minister of Economy, Trade and, Industry, from Japan.

Dr. Steve. Griffiths, Senior Vice-President, Research and Development, Khalifa University, and IEEJ’s Masakazu Toyoda, Chairman and CEO, will serve as a secretariat to facilitate collaboration among universities, organizations and industries to conduct research and potential business development in mutually beneficial areas.

Dr. Al Hammadi said: “The MoU paves way for facilitating research collaboration between universities and organizations in both countries and we are delighted to be part of this initiative. Japan is rated as one of the top economies in terms of science and technology innovations based on consistent decades-long research. And as a leading research-based academic institution driving innovation and technology solutions, we believe this MoU will help not only research but also facilitate business development in areas that will benefit the academia, industry and government sectors in both the countries.”

Prof. Toyoda said: “I sincerely hope this memorandum of understanding is only the beginning for the success of the industry-academia collaboration initiative between our two countries. It should contribute to further diversify the development of the UAE economy as well as strengthening the energy security of Japan. It is more than words, it is about people from our two countries meeting and collaborating to make the world a better place.”

The MoU will enable identifying of opportunities for both countries for fruitful exchanges and collaboration between industry and/or academia while assisting each other in the organization of seminars, conferences, and workshops. The two partners will also facilitate visits from each other in order to develop cooperative mechanisms and to expand areas of cooperation.

The UAE and Japan have been working together on miscellaneous projects not limited to energy projects for many years. Building upon such successful experiences and recognizing the importance of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Initiative (CSPI) between Japan and the UAE, Khalifa University of Science and Technology and the IEEJ felt the need to develop a program with a wider range of activities.

Clarence Michael

News Writer

29 January 2019

The post KU and Japan Institute of Energy Economics to Strengthen Industry-Academia Collaborations appeared first on Khalifa University.

First UAE Institution to be Placed among Top 30 in Asia

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 02 May, 2019 – Khalifa University of Science and Technology, a research university dedicated to the advancement of learning through the discovery and application of knowledge, has announced that it has further improved its rankings to be placed 28th in the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2019 that was released in Abu Dhabi.

With the new ranking, Khalifa University has jumped another four slots to be placed in top 30 among 417 Asian universities in the latest 2019 THE Asia University Rankings, an improvement from last year’s ranking when it was placed 32nd in Asia. This also makes the University first in the UAE.
The rankings were released at the THE Asia Universities Summit 2019 that is being held from 30 April – 2 May in Abu Dhabi as a collaboration between Khalifa University and the Times Higher Education. This year rankings have been expanded to include 417 universities, up from 359 institutions the previous.

Dr Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said: “Khalifa University’s status in the THE Asia Universities Ranking 2019 further validates our research capabilities, faculty expertise and modern cutting-edge facilities that encourage innovation. Collaborations with industry leading brands in every major sector are the other factor that keeps us in the forefront of intellectual and human capital creation, thanks to the UAE’s wise leadership for their endless support for Khalifa University. We believe the new ranking will further encourage and motivate us to set new benchmarks of excellence in the academic and research arenas.”
In January 2019, Khalifa University became the only one in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to be among the top 15 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Emerging Economies University Rankings 2019. The university was placed 13 th out of 442 universities from 43 countries, edging up slightly from 15 th position in the same listing the previous year.

In November 2018, Khalifa University was placed in the 176-200 band out of over 900 institutions assessed across more than 70 countries in the 2019 THE World University Subject Rankings for Engineering and Technology. In September 2018, Khalifa University was ranked 1st in the UAE and 2nd in the Arab region by the THE World University Rankings 2019. The university was also ranked top in the categories of Research and Industry Income.
The Asia University Rankings use the same 13 carefully calibrated performance indicators to provide the most comprehensive and balanced comparisons, trusted by students, academics,university leaders, industry and governments. However, the weightings are specially recalibrated to reflect the priorities of Asian institutions. The performance indicators are grouped into five areas – teaching, research, citations, international outlook and industry income.
ENDS

About Khalifa University of Science and Technology
The Khalifa University of Science and Technology merges the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research and the Petroleum Institute into one world-class, research-intensive institution, producing world leaders and critical thinkers in applied science and engineering. The Khalifa University of Science and Technology endeavors to be a catalyst to the growth of Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s rapidly developing knowledge economy as an education destination of choice and a global leader among research intensive universities.

The post Khalifa University Ranked among Top 30 in Asia appeared first on Khalifa University.

Dr. Naoufel Werghi how his Research Leverages Deep Learning to Develop Robust 2D Face Recognition Systems

Face recognition systems are ubiquitous. We use them for security in places like airports, at borders and in venues that manage large volumes of people, like stadiums and theaters. They are also integrated into smartphones as biometric locks, are used to track lost children across areas, and are part of the next generation of targeted marketing, where they scan your face to determine your age and gender to select the appropriate digital ads to show you. The more reliable, accurate and speedy facial recognition��systems become, the more ways they can be integrated into sectors to provide enhanced security and convenience.

One of the common face recognition systems is two dimensional (2D) face recognition systems, which is the type we often see in airports. 2D face recognition systems can use computer vision and photometric methods to scan through available photographs of a person’s face, to ‘learn’ how to identify them when��they appear before the system’s cameras. But the cutting-edge of this technology has been struggling to meet our growing needs and expectations, particularly facial identification when the face is only seen incompletely, or at a different angle, or under different lighting, or with different facial expressions, or even disguising makeup.

While engineers have been able to develop algorithms that can identify faces in these scenarios in constrained situations, when it comes to real-world use, they have often failed to manage the range of changeable parameters. They particularly struggle to recognize faces when they are not front facing and centered, and the more extreme the angle and pose, the more challenging it is for the system.

That is why I have been working with students and faculty in halifa University and abroad to develop an unconstrained face identification template that can handle all of the challenges of 2D facial recognition in real-life scenarios. We developed a first prototype to recognize faces using 3D facial images. This
modality relies on the facial shape as a main information and therefore is less sensitive to variations in pose and light conditions. Our system has been validated on two public datasets containing more six thousand images, and reached an accuracy above 95% even in the presence of facial expressions.

Building on advances in deep learning we have developed another system that is able to automatically learn facial image registration, which transform a face pose in the image from a lateral view to a frontal view. It is also able to learn a face signature as part of an end-to-end trainable Convolutional Neural Network.

The first part of network is the registration module, which learns from 2.6 million images of 2,622 faces of YouTube celebrities, to ‘understand’ how they can look different from different angles, in different lighting, with different types of makeup, and when wearing different expressions. That provides the system with a baseline understanding that is then enhanced by the second part, the representation module, which is able to learn meaningful feature encoding of input face images. Images of a targeted
face can be uploaded, which it then ‘learns’ and can seek out using the lessons applied from the registration module.

The system we developed performed better than the existing state of the art methods. We ran it through three different types of face image datasets – the IJB-A dataset that contains 5,712 images and
2,085 videos of 500 subjects captured in real life scenarios around the world; the COX dataset that contains 4,000 uncontrolled low resolution video sequences of 1,000 subjects walking in a gymnasium without enforcing any constraints on their facial expressions, lighting conditions and head poses; and the YouTube Celebrities dataset of 1,910 low-resolution face videos of 47 celebrities downloaded from YouTube. We reached a recognition accuracy of 96%, 90% and 97%.

But the part of which I am proudest of is having involved undergraduate student in face recognition research. From 2009 till today, seven face identification projects have been proposed and undertaken by student groups in the Senior Design Project and the Artificial Intelligence course in which I participate.

My most recent group of students – Mohamed Khalid Almansoori, Ali Alshkeili, Abdullah Alenezi, and Eissa Alromaithi – are currently working on a face identification system using a simple 2D camera that can authenticate an individual or detect a suspect. In the first mode the user identifies himself by entering a pin code or swiping an ID card.��The system captures the face image of the user, compares the input image with the reference image stored in the system and decides whether or not the user corresponds to the identity that they claim to be. This is the kind of authentication system currently used in Abu Dhabi Airports at the passport check gates.

In the second mode, the system detects faces in a scene and tries to find the face that correspond to a targeted face. If the targeted individual is found, an alarm will be then triggered, signaling the presence of that suspect. The second mode is the most challenging, as the camera has to scan faces from various
angles and in different light conditions. We recently featured this project at Dubai’s annual Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition 2018 (WETEX).

My research and the project led by my students, both aim to enhance the UAE’s expertise in the growing field of face recognition systems. The global facial recognition technology market��is expected to exceed $9.6 billion by 2023, making it a valuable market in which to develop intellectual and human
capital.

Dr. Naoufel Werghi is Associate Professor of Computer Engineering at the Khalifa University of Science
and Technology

The post Enhancing 2D Face Recognition Systems Associate Professor of Computer Engineering appeared first on Khalifa University.

National Center of Meteorology Director Dr. Abdullah Ahmed Al Mandous Explains how Research and Collaboration have Advanced the Mission of the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science

The UAE leadership has always been far-sighted and, as early as the 1990s, it recognized that our country – one of the world’s most water-scarce – would benefit from the potential of cloud-seeding research. Though the science of rainfall enhancement was then quite limited, the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs led collaborations with the world’s leading institutions to explore what research and development in the science and technology of the field could bring to water security. After all, securing access to water is not a challenge faced by the UAE alone; the United Nations estimates that by 2030, almost half of the world’s population could be faced with high water stress.

Nearly three decades on from its initial work on cloud seeding, the UAE has shown the world what can be achieved by capitalizing on the UAE’s vision and rapidly evolving innovation ecosystem through its world-renowned UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP). The National Center of Meteorology (NCM), of which I am the director, leads the country’s rain enhancement efforts through the UAEREP, and we are proud to continue to advance the vision of the UAE leadership in leveraging cloud seeding for water security.

The program was launched in 2015 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, with a call for research ideas seeking the best in rain enhancement research. Hundreds of international scientists and engineers were invited to submit their proposals for promising research to improve rain enhancement, from which over three cycles so far we have selected nine winners to receive grant funding for further research and development

The result is that the UAEREP has nine awardees that today are running active projects covering a number of key topics in rainfall enhancement, ranging from the development of new seeding materials, to the use of unmanned drones for cloud seeding operations, to advanced weather modeling to understand atmospheric chemistry and physics as they relate to rainfall and cloud seeding operations. Major achievements have been made through these awarded projects. For example, Dr. Linda Zou, a 2015 UAEREP winner and Khalifa University Professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, is working to scale up the novel cloud seeding material she developed.

Recently, the National Center of Meteorology has announced a new project that establishes a rigorous, scientifically-based international research and development program to further leverage the value of the UAEREP projects. This R&D program, in coordination with Khalifa University of Science and Technology; will support and add to the efforts the UAEREP as an international research initiative to stimulate and promote scientific advancement and the development of new technology.

The UAEREP will integrate the program’s nine awarded projects, which are currently running in three program cycles, into an advanced model titled “Integrating Schemes from UAEREP projects into a unified multi-component atmospheric model”.

This integration is aimed at improving weather forecasting accuracy by leveraging the research findings of the awarded projects. This will be done by developing a unified model that integrates studies of micro physics, cloud chemistry, and cloud electrical properties. The model is to be developed at Khalifa University’s facilities and made operational in time for the completion of the UAEREP’s current third cycle at the end of 2020. KU is also hosting a research platform for integrated weather research and forecasting models and we are working with the university to study the models for potential later adoption into NCM operations. The researchers will also examine the effect of aerosols on cloud accumulation and development and the role terrain plays in the formation of various types of clouds.

The goal of this initiative is translation of the solid research achievements of the UAEREP into successful outcomes that benefit arid and semi-arid regions around the world through new technologies. These will improve the quality of cloud-seeding operations while also providing sustainable solutions to water-scarcity challenges.

We look forward to working with Khalifa University and other leading scientific institutions to leverage advanced scientific innovation to bring the crucial benefits of enhanced rain as a viable water source to the UAE and other arid countries.

Dr. Abdullah Ahmed Al Mandous is the Director of the National Center of Meteorology, UAE.

An edited version of this op-ed appeared in the Khaleej Times on 7 January 2019.

The post UAE at the Forefront of Cloud-Seeding appeared first on Khalifa University.

Degrees Presented to 285 Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD Graduates

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, His Highness Sheikh Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince’s Court and Chairman of Khalifa University’s Board of Trustees, attended on 17 February the graduation ceremony of Khalifa University Class of 2019, which included 285 Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD students.

Others who were present at the ceremony included members of Khalifa University Board of Trustees, HE Eng. Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, UAE Minister of Education and Cabinet Member, HE Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of State, Chief Executive Officer, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Chairman, Masdar, HE Sheikh Abdulla Bin Mohamed Al Hamed, Chairman of Department of Health, HE Eng. Suwaidan Rashed Al Dhaheri, Musanada’s Chief Executive Officer, HE Ali Rashid Qanas Al Ketbi, Acting Director, Human Resources, Abu Dhabi Government, HE Abdul Munim Al Kindy, Director, Exploration, Development and Production Directorate, ADNOC, and HE Abdulaziz Abdulla Alhajri, Director, Refining and Petrochemicals Directorate, ADNOC, Dr. Nawal Khalifa A Hosany, Deputy Director-General, Emirates Diplomatic Academy, in addition to members of the University’s faculty and staff, the graduates and members of their families.

The ceremony celebrated graduation of a total of 285 students, 14 of which were PhD students, 79 Master’s and 192 Bachelors of Science and Engineering programs. Of the total, 117 were male students and 168 female. The number of UAE nationals totaled 212, while international students were 73.

HH Sheikh Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan handed over the degrees to the graduates and congratulated them on the success and graduation from the university with competence and excellence. He wished them continued efforts in furthering their education and enhancing their knowledge gained through research and keeping up with the latest advances, in their respective fields of study.

His Highness Shaikh Hamed stressed that Khalifa University, thanks to the wise directives of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has enjoyed prestigious ranking both regionally and internationally through its distinguished academic programs and advanced research programs. He also pointed out that achieving these milestones will continue to further cement the University’s position to be among the top in the world.

In his speech, Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice President, Khalifa University, expressed his gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, for his wise leadership, and HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, for his role in bringing about a qualitative leap not only in Khalifa University but also in the education and research sector in the country in general.

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi said: “We are grateful to the University’s Board of Trustees, headed by His Highness Shaikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for their time, efforts, leadership, and guidance that put the University in an advanced position in research and innovation, in the fields of science, engineering and technology.”

He added: “Over the last few years, Khalifa University has played a pivotal role in supporting the country’s key economic sectors by providing human capital equipped with required competencies in innovation and science. The university has also been collaborating directly with various institutions in these sectors to produce research aimed at upgrading local industries to international standards, thereby supporting research and development as well as finding solutions for improving performance, reducing costs and thus achieving greater returns.”

Citing more specific examples of the role of research at Khalifa University in supporting the country’s economy, Dr. Al Hammadi made special mention of the ones achieved by researchers at the Emirates ICT Innovation Center (EBTIC) , the Masdar Institute and the Petroleum Institute and Khalifa University Center for Biotechnology, and other research projects that have helped the University achieve a large number of patents for the UAE, which aim to support the economy, thus bringing the University top ranking in “research” and “Industry Income”, among other universities in the Arab world according to the globally respected Times Higher Education ranking organization.”

During the ceremony, Mechanical Engineering graduate Sara Mohammed Al Muhairi, delivered the graduates’ speech.

In academic rankings, for the third year in a row, Khalifa University ranked first in the country, and the 32nd among Asian universities, while remaining among the top 200 for Engineering & Technology subjects in the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings. It is also placed among the top 31% of the 1,011 global institutions assessed by the 2019 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings.

Clarence Michael
News Writer
18 February 2019

The post HH Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Witnesses Khalifa University’s Class of 2019 Graduation Ceremony appeared first on Khalifa University.