ABU DHABI, February 22, 2010: A plethora of international science and technology specialists will converge on the UAE capital from today to participate in the inaugural INCONET-GCC forum at the Abu Dhabi Men's College on February 23 & 24.

The 32 guests will be joined by members of the Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT) lead by its Group CEO, and HCT Vice-Chancellor Dr. Tayeb Kamali. The forum will be inaugurated with an opening address by H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chairman of CERT and Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology.

From research leaders, departmental heads, CEOs, Directors-General and scientific officers, some of the GCC's and Europe's most talented minds in the fields of Science & Technology will combine their ideas and plans to help devise ways in which to improve communities. One significant guest will be renowned environmental and health advocate, and World Health Organization's (WHO) Envoy, Dr Kazem Behbehani, Director General of the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of the Sciences (KFAS).

Dr. Tayeb Kamali said CERT and HCT were entering `exciting times'' in areas such as the environment and sustainable development with the start of INCONET-GCC.

CERT and HCT have always sought to form collaborations, in the areas of science and technology, with corporations and learning institutions from around the world, to help create and develop much-needed solutions to pressing issues which affect the UAE, this region and other parts of the world,'' Dr Kamali said.

Being part of INCONET-GCC helps us fulfill those roles and helps us continue on our path to improve the lives of many through research, training and endeavor.''

Abu Dhabi Men's College Associate Dean of Research and Innovation Dr. Erik Forsberg said with the cross-section of members, the inaugural meeting would break new ground.

One of the key issues will be to explore areas of research which are of mutual strategic importance for both regions, as well as meet for the first time,'' Dr. Forsberg said.

That is the beauty of the opening day, all members will have a chance to speak at the forum about their projects, ideas and visions.''

The two-day forum will include presentations from various members and about best practices for research projects, including the European Commission and some of the European members, and training sessions for GCC entities not familiar working with European entities.

Each session day will start at 9am and there will be coffee and lunch breaks for media interviews.

The participants in INCONET-GCC on February 23-24 are:

  • Euroconsultants S.A. (Greece)

  • Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas / Help-Forward (Greece)

  • London School of Economics (UK)

  • University of Ferrara (Italy)

  • University of Jonkoping (Sweden)

  • International Association for Sciences Parks (Spain)

  • Items International (France)

  • The Research Council of Oman (Oman)

  • Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training (UAE)

  • Higher Education Council of Bahrain (Bahrain)

  • Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (Kuwait)

  • King Saud University-Riyadh Techno Valley (Saudi Arabia)

  • King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (Saudi Arabia)

  • Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Oman)

  • Qatar University (Qatar)

  • Political Development Forum (Yemen)

  • Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (Egypt)

  • Direction of Technology, Moroccan Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (Morocco).

-Ends-

About CERT
The Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT) Group of Companies began as the commercial arm of the Higher Colleges of Technology in the United Arab Emirates, and has grown to be the largest private education provider in the Middle East. The centre is involved in strategic alliances with a number of multinational organizations to collaborate on a full range of business and technology solutions.

Since its creation in 1996, CERT has been synonymous with quality in education, training, research, and socioeconomic progress. CERT is also the largest MENA (Middle East North Africa) investor in the commercialization of technology.  CERT Technology Park in the UAE is home to international companies such as Intel, Honeywell and Lucent Technologies. Visit www.certonline.ae

For more information contact:
Paul Lancaster Publications Coordinator,
HCT. Tel: +971 (0) 2 6922542
Mobile: +971 (0) 50 616 0964.
Email: paul.lancaster@hct.ac.ae

© Press Release 2010