Academia and private sector join forces to advance 'world changing' mechatronics technology research

Abu Dhabi, March 25, 2009: Emirates Aluminium (EMAL) has signed a partnership agreement with the American University of Sharjah to support an expanded programme of engineering debate at the International Symposium on Mechatronics and Applications (ISMA09) which is taking place in Sharjah, UAE, on March 24 - 26, 2009. 

The event is an international forum set to attract world-class scientists and professionals to advance the technology of integrated precision mechanical systems, electronic controls and embedded computer systems.  Mechatronics was described by Technology Review magazine as 'a top ten emerging technology that will change the world". 

The partnership between academia and the private sector is vital for the development of world-class technology in the UAE, according to Emirates Aluminium CEO Duncan Hedditch.  "EMAL is committed to joining the ranks of global players that excel in their fields, so it is essential that local business supports technological innovation and the creation of a new generation of engineers here in the emirates.

"Mechatronics means little to the layman, but for engineering students the opportunity to learn directly from the president of robotics research at Stanford University is a powerful educational experience.  The symposium is an 'intelligent' technology event with global significance and EMAL is proud to be involved," concludes Hedditch.

Mohammad Ameen Jarrah, the General Symposium's Chair said: "EMAL's support has enabled us to expand the activities of the symposium and enabled us to keep registration fees affordable. The company's contribution and dedication to promote science and technology in the UAE and across the Arab world is an exemplary model of collaboration with academia."

The symposium aims to provide a forum for engineers and technical managers to discuss technology trends and their potential to shape the technical development of the region. Intelligent components are improving system performance, comfort and safety with innovations such as computational decision making and complete autonomy. 

EMAL's support for engineering development is linked to its use of the best available, environmentally-sound, technology at what will be the world's largest single site aluminium smelter complex in Al Taweelah, UAE.

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EMAL is a joint venture (JV) between Dubai Aluminium Company Limited (DUBAL) and Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala) and was established in February 2007 to construct what will become the world's largest single site aluminium smelter complex.  The project will be built in two phases and utilise Emirati-developed technology. At the end of phase one in 2010, EMAL will produce 700,000 tonnes of aluminium per annum and 1.4 million tonnes annually at the end of phase two.  The aluminium complex, a 6sq km site in the Khalifa Port Industrial Zone in Taweelah, half way between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, will produce primary aluminium with a product mix of sow, standard ingot, billet, tee ingots and sheet ingot.

Being the largest industrial project in the UAE outside the oil and gas industry, the project will encourage economic diversification, creating downstream opportunities.  This development will benefit the UAE economy, employing more than 14,000 local and international contractors/staff during construction and 2000 people direct employment during operations.

EMAL adheres to strict environmental standards set by the Abu Dhabi Environmental Agency, with state-of the-art emission control equipment including sulphur-dioxide scrubbers, the latest potroom gas treatment technology, the best-available gas turbine systems, and cooling towers to eliminate thermal stress on local marine life.

For further Information, please contact:
Rosine Feghali,
Emirates Aluminium
Tel: 02 509 2290

Antony Newton,
Impact Porter Novelli-Dubai
Tel: 04 330 4030
Email: a.newton@ipn.ae

© Press Release 2009