EtisalatEtisalat, BTBT and Khalifa University Partner to Lead Developments in ICT Sector

EtisalatEtisalat, BTBT and Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research (KUSTAR)University of Science, Technology and Research (KUSTAR) today announced the signing of a landmark contract to create the Middle East's first international centre for telecommunications research and innovation, based in the United Arab Emirates. Work on the Etisalat BT Innovation Centre (EBTIC) will now begin with the aim to open the facility in the first quarter of 2009.

In a statement issued by H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court and Vice Chairman of KUSTARKUSTAR's Board of Trustees, his highness underscored the role of universities in turning the UAE into a regional hub for research and innovation. He called for forging partnerships on research among universities and bodies of the public and private sectors of the countries besides cooperation with the world's prestigious universities and institutes to create a successful academic environment for research and creativity.

The EBTIC is a jointly-funded research and innovation laboratory, and will be hosted by KUSTARKUSTAR in its Abu Dhabi campus, with management and research staff provided by BTBT, EtisalatEtisalat and KUSTARKUSTAR.

The EBTIC will work with the participating partners to develop and exploit Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), foster and train local talent, and serve as a hub for international collaboration and higher educational programmes. The EBTIC will also attract talent from across the world to the UAE and aim to build a regional innovation network hub.

The centre is expected to grow to employ around one hundred scientists, focusing on research into Next Generation Networks, systems and services. Through collaboration with industry, universities and governmental organisations, EBTIC is expected to become a driving force for innovation in the field of Information and Communications Technology, both within the Middle East region and beyond.

KUSTARKUSTAR will fund the EBTIC and provide researchers, accommodation and computing and network infrastructure as well as admin support.

H.E. Dr Mugheer Al Khaili, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Education Council and Member of KUSTARKUSTAR's Board of Trustees said: "As a research-driven university, one of KUSTARKUSTAR goals is to conduct globally competitive and relevant research. Our partnership with two international industrial partners to establish EBTIC is a step towards achieving this goal and is part of our research strategy that emphasizes the value of collaborative and applied research. The EBTIC will build on the strengths of the university's ICT research, and at the same time will enhance, influence and inform the university's research and teaching". He added "hosting the centre at Khalifa University will encourage our graduates to continue their careers in research while completing their higher studies at the university"

EtisalatEtisalat's role will also be to fund the EBTIC and recruit the researchers with the exception of the staff that are seconded to EBTIC by BTBT and/or KUSTARKUSTAR.

"The UAE is well-known for innovation as well as its rapid acceptance of new technology. This has helped it to become a true hub for business, tourism and trade. With the introduction of EBTIC, we are also supporting the rise of the UAE as a hub for research in the field of telecommunications," said H.E. Mohammad Hassan Omran, Chairman of EtisalatEtisalat. "This is a key moment for both the telecommunications and knowledge industries in the region and we are proud to be working with committed partners to help further the ICT and research sector."

BTBT's role will be to provide the centre management and research staff providing research and innovation management and exploitation expertise.

Sir Michael Rake, Chairman, BT GroupBT Group PLC, said: "The establishment of this centre represents a real and lasting sign of BTBT's commitment to the region, and a valuable means to expand the richness and diversity of our global innovation strategy. BTBT is delighted to partner with ETISALAT and Khalifa University in this project, and I firmly believe that the ability to harness the wealth of intellectual capital that exists in the Middle East will bring enormous benefits to ourselves, our customers, and telecommunications as a whole."

The signing took place in the presence of Her Britannic Majesty's Ambassador Edward Oakden, CMG, H.E. Mohammad Hassan Omran, Chairman of EtisalatEtisalat, Sir Michael Rake, Chairman of BTBT and H.E. Dr Mugheer Al Khaili, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Education Council and Member of KUSTARKUSTAR's Board of Trustees at EtisalatEtisalat's head office in Abu Dhabi. Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar, Chief Operating Officer of EtisalatEtisalat, Matt Bross, Chief Technology Officer for BTBT, Dr Arif Al-Hammadi, Manager of KUSTARKUSTAR, and Dr. Mohammed Al-Mualla, Coordinator of Research and Postgraduate Studies of KUSTARKUSTAR were also present at the signing.

-Ends-

About Etisalat
EtisalatEtisalat is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world and the largest operator in the Arab world headquartered in the UAE (as per FT500 March 31, 2008).

EtisalatEtisalat operates in 17 countries across Asia, the Middle East and Africa, servicing over 64m customers out of a total population that exceeds 1,600mn people.

In 2007, EtisalatEtisalat reported annual Net Revenues of US $5,815million and Net Profits of US$1,831million. (As at July 14 2008, EtisalatEtisalat reported Net Revenues of US$ 3,390m and Net Profits of US$ 1,394m).

EtisalatEtisalat is a major investor in Thuraya, one of the world's leading satellite geo-mobile communication systems covering approximately two thirds of the planet's surface.

For more information, please visit www.etisalat.ae

For information on EtisalatEtisalat please contact:
Saeed Al Badi, Senior Manager, Media Relations in the EtisalatEtisalat Newsroom Tel: 02 6182173,

About BT
BTBT is one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BTBT consists principally of four lines of business: BTBT Global Services, Openreach, BTBT Retail and BTBT Wholesale.

In the year ended 31 March 2008, BT GroupBT Group plc's revenue was £20,704 million with profit before taxation and specific items of £2,506 million.

British Telecommunications plc (BTBT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT GroupBT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT GroupBT Group. BT GroupBT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York

For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt

For information on BTBT please contact:
Jon Carter in the BT GroupBT Group Newsroom on its 24-hour number: 020 7356 5369. From outside the UK dial + 44 20 7356 5369.

About KUSTAR
Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research (KUSTASR) was established in February 2007 by a decree issued by the UAE President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in his capacity as the Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

KUSTARKUSTAR has two campuses, in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, and presently offers bachelor, master, and doctorate degree programs in three areas of engineering and in future will offer degrees in five main disciplines: engineering, logistics management, health sciences, homeland security and applied sciences. KUSTARKUSTAR is open to men and women from all nationalities with particular emphasis being placed on educating young UAE national citizens.

An international Centre for Research & Development is being developed to ensure that research is an integral and very important part of the university.

For more information, please visit www.kustar.ac.ae

For information on KUSTARKUSTAR please contact:
Dr. Mohammed Al-Mualla,
Coordinator of Research and Postgraduate Studies of KUSTARKUSTAR ,
Tel: +971 50 6464909

© Press Release 2008

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