Jeddah, KSA: The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the world’s first graduate-level, research-based artificial intelligence (AI) university, is welcoming its first cohort of students from around the world as they arrive in Abu Dhabi ahead of the start of the January 2021 academic year.  

More than 2,000 of students from nearly 100 countries had applied to enroll at the new Abu Dhabi-based university. After a rigorous admissions process, 80 students from 29 countries are set to begin their AI education journey when MBZUAI starts classes in January 2021. The students include 67 accepted in the University’s MSc programs in Computer Vision, and Machine Learning, while 13 have been accepted for MBZUAI’s PhD programs in the same fields. The university’s inaugural student body includes 31% female students, a rarity in the highly technical fields that often still skew heavily towards male students. 

“We are incredibly pleased to extend a warm welcome to our first cohort of students, including those arriving in Abu Dhabi from all around the world. MBZUAI was launched as an open invitation from Abu Dhabi to the world to unleash AI’s full potential, and our team is excited to start working with and nurturing the future leaders in the field of AI. We are inspired by the caliber of the global talent and boundless enthusiasm of the MBZUAI students, and we look forward to the commencement of the inaugural semester in January,” said Reem Al Orfali, Director of Student Affairs at MBZUAI.

In line with the necessary health and safety COVID-19 regulations set out by the Abu Dhabi health authorities, the international MBZUAI students have been given an opportunity to participate in a number of engaging online activities while they completed a mandatory quarantine period in Abu Dhabi. The students received a virtual tour of Abu Dhabi and attended the MBZUAI Talks led by the university’s AI experts. They have also been participating in refresher courses on essential topics of math, programming, and AI, scholastic sessions on conducting ethical research, and employer-led webinars where they interacted with AI professionals on pursuing careers in the field.

As a part of the initiative to introduce and welcome students to Abu Dhabi and the UAE, the international MBZUAI students also received a virtual tour of the UAE’s iconic destinations and landmarks from the Department of Culture & Tourism. The students also got to experience an online guided tour of the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

The university, in partnership with health authorities, also facilitated an online session on the COVID-19 precautions and regulations to ensure the students’ health and safety in these unprecedented times. In addition, personal coaching and online exercise sessions have been offered to the students.

Once the academic year commences on January 10, 2021, the inaugural MBZUAI cohort will be taught by renowned faculty, overseen by Professor Dr. Eric Xing, President of MBZUAI, and the University’s Board of Trustees, which comprises internationally renowned experts in the field of AI. The students will also enjoy a purpose-built, high-tech and eco-friendly campus in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City. The campus includes futuristic smart classrooms and research laboratories, an AI-specialized knowledge center, and recreational facilities.

-Ends-

About Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI)

MBZUAI is the world’s first graduate-level, research-based artificial intelligence (AI) university. Launched in October 2019 and located in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, the University aims to empower students, businesses and governments to advance artificial intelligence as a global force for positive progress. For more information, please visit www.mbzuai.ac.ae 

Send us your press releases to pressrelease.zawya@refinitiv.com

© Press Release 2020

Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.

The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.