• Scientists from prestigious universities across the globe will gather for the three-day workshop  

Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates: His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, will attend the 14th International Workshop on Advanced Materials (IWAM) later this month, which is held under his patronage and will see scientists, including a Nobel Prize winner and a member of the Nobel Prize Committee for Chemistry, gather for discussions on the real-world applications of Advanced Materials.

The event is taking place in Ras Al Khaimah under H.H. Sheikh Saud’s patronage for the 14th time, highlighting his commitment to scientific research and advancement, as well as engaging local students in science through competitions that will take place over the course of the event.

The three-day IWAM, being held at the Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island from February 19 to 21, will be attended by over 200 people and will feature speakers from prestigious academic institutions from around the globe, including the University of Cambridge, U.K.; University of California, U.S.; King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia; Temple University, Philadelphia, U.S.; the University of Manchester, U.K.; and the National University of Singapore.  

Organized by the Ras Al Khaimah Centre for Advanced Materials, IWAM is a global forum for research and discovery in the field of Advanced Materials, which include metals, ceramics and polymers that are either new or enhanced beyond their original state, making them superior materials that are more beneficial for various uses. Using Advanced Materials can enhance the performance of components, improving entire systems so that they are more productive, durable, or fuel efficient, etc.

In addition to IWAM sessions for Ras Al Khaimah companies to discover the potential uses of Advanced Materials in their business models, the event will see scientific competitions for high school and undergraduate students organized by the University of Bolton Academic Centre - Ras Al Khaimah, in partnership with RAKEZ Academic Zone and RAK Education Zone (Ministry of Education), with cash prizes for the winners. Other highlights include a talk from Andre Geim, who won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2010 for the joint discovery of graphene, and a session led by Professor Xiaodong Zou, a member of the Nobel Prize Committee for Chemistry, from the University of Stockholm. 

For further information, visit iwam-rakcam.com.

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About His Highness Sheikh Saud

His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi is a Member of the Supreme Council of the UAE and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK). Born in Dubai in 1956, he was educated in Ras Al Khaimah before attending the American University of Beirut. He later moved to the University of Michigan, graduating with an Economics Degree.

He returned home in 1978 and was appointed Chief of the Ruler’s Court before becoming Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah Municipal Council in 1986. In this period, H.H. Sheikh Saud founded RAK Ceramics and restructured Julphar Pharmaceuticals and RAK Rock to ensure both became the industry leaders they are today.

H.H. Sheikh Saud was named Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah on 14 June 2003. In this role he oversaw the introduction of free zones, efficient business licensing procedures and offshore corporate registration.

On 27 October 2010, after the passing of his father H.H. Sheikh Saqr (May he rest in Peace), H.H. Sheikh Saud became the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. As Ruler, he has continued to expand and diversify Ras Al Khaimah’s economic base and improve the quality of its social services, while working hard to make high-quality education and healthcare services available to all the Emirate’s population.

H.H. Sheikh Saud received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bolton, UK, in 2010; an Honorary Fellowship of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research in India, in 2013; and an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Economics from Incheon National University, South Korea, in 2018, a year in which he was also named Visionary Leader of the Year by Arabian Business.

About Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is the northernmost of the seven Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. It is known for its diverse landscape, from 64km of beaches, to deserts and imposing mountains, as well as its rich history, dating back 7,000 years. It has many archaeological sites, four of which have been shortlisted on UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites. The Emirate’s Jebel Jais mountain, which is the highest mountain in the UAE, boasts attractions including Jebel Jais Flight, the world’s longest zip line at almost 3km, and 1484 by Puro, the UAE’s highest restaurant. Ras Al Khaimah is centrally located at the modern crossroads between Europe, Asia and Africa, with one third of the world’s population within four hours’ flying time, making it an ideal location for businesses to expand into the UAE, the Middle East and Africa region and beyond. The Emirate boasts one of the most diverse economies in the region, with no single sector accounting for more than 26% of the Emirate’s GDP – a critical advantage that enhances Ras Al Khaimah’s economic flexibility and strength. For more than a decade, Ras Al Khaimah has been consistently rated in the ‘A’ range by Fitch and Standard & Poor’s international ratings agencies. Ras Al Khaimah is a multicultural society, with an estimated population of 0.4 million people in 2021. With year-round sunshine, straightforward business set-up and a competitive and affordable cost of living, Ras Al Khaimah is the informed choice for business, lifestyle and exploration.