By Joseph Henry
UNIVERSITY CITY, SHARJAH – The UAE government has to play an active role in encouraging applied research in the country, a Dubai Electricity and Water Authority official said June 27 at a Ministry of Education-sponsored online event in which the American University of Sharjah participated.
“A top-down approach is required,” said DEWA Vice President for Research and Development Dr. Almheiri Said, as part of a general discussion about the role of the government in providing proper research infrastructure to the public.
He noted there must be increased focus on integrating research at earlier levels.
Almheiri was joined during the session by two other speakers. Dr. Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, the deputy director at Dubai Health Authority, said the UAE must not only foster an environment that encourages research but also create a framework of research challenges and objectives.
Dr. Steven Griffith, the senior vice president for research and development at Khalifa University, called universities the future of technology transfer. He added that a blend of artificial intelligence and applied research should be used to help local business owners adapt to changing economic climates.
