University Leadership Council


Background The United Arab Emirates has established a reputation for innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship. The country is poised to take another, unprecedented step toward its vision of attaining strong global standing as a knowledge economy by focusing on the promotion of research and innovation (R&I) in order to address issues of importance to the country in critical areas such as: renewable energy, sustainability, environment, healthcare, education, water resources, nuclear energy, engineering systems and management, advanced materials, information technology, transport and logistics, urban planning, and construction. Research and innovation in these areas will serve as the economic driver for the UAE’s development in the future. As everyone will acknowledge, education is the key to innovation ; and it falls to academic institutions in the UAE to provide the skilled human capital necessary for transforming the UAE to a knowledge-based economy. With the influx of newly established graduate research-based universities, the formation of a University Leadership Council (ULC) has been proposed to act as a platform for academic leadership to share creative ideas, foster common interests, and spearhead new initiatives for innovation and technology transfer in the region. The Council would serve as an advocate to interface with industry and government to bring about a clearer understanding of the goals and mission of all UAE-based universities and will seek industrial as well as government financial support for research which is relevant to and promotes the overall economic development of the nation.

Mission The Council would serve as an advocate to interface with industry and government to bring about a clearer understanding of the goals and mission of research-based universities and to work collaboratively towards common goals such as promoting an R&I culture, and advancing the educational goals of all UAE universities. Objectives Focus its attention on higher education issues and needs; Foster synergy through cooperative research and academic activities; Act as a link for faculty and students to interface with both the public and private sectors; Seek industrial, government, and private financial support for academic and research activities of the universities; Raise awareness of the importance of R&I and the need to promote science and technology in the UAE through local meetings, forums and seminars; Encourage and support university, government and industry partnerships in order to advance research and innovation and fulfill the country’s vision;

Membership
All UAE based universities are welcome to join the council as members. The Executive Committee of the University Leadership Council is currently made up of the following members:

Dr. Peter Heath Chancellor, American University of Sharjah	Dr. Tod Laursen President, Khalifa University	Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh Masdar Institute, President	Dr. Rory Hume Provost, United Arab Emirates University	Dr. Larry Wilson Zayed University, Provost


News Right Mix of Support, Investment, Policy and Incentives Will Make UAE an R&D Powerhouse, Agree Experts (read). University Leadership Council Launched in UAE under the Patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan to Spearhead Innovation and Technology Transfer (read).