SHARJAH - Bee’ah and the University of Sharjah, UoS, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, to collaborate across multiple areas of interest that will include environmental research, educational programmes, student sponsorships and explore developing business opportunities and Intellectual Properties, IPs.

The MoU signing ceremony was held at the UoS campus, in the presence of Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah; Bee’ah’s Group CEO, Khaled Al Huraimel; Bee’ah Consultancy, Research & Innovation (Bee’ah CRI) CEO, Mohamed Al Hosani, and representatives of the UoS, including Prof. Maamar Bettayeb, Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies; Prof. Qutayba Hamid, Vice Chancellor for Medical Colleges and Health Sciences and Dean of College of Medicine, and Dr. Salah Taher Al Haj, Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs.

The MoU enhances cooperation between UoS and Bee’ah Group business verticals, including Bee’ah CRI, to develop scientific research related to sustainable solutions in the environmental sector such as integrated waste management, renewable energy, environmental protection, facilities management, education and sustainability. The UoS will also direct relevant graduation projects and research studies towards Bee’ah’s requirement and needs.

To enhance student development, Bee’ah, which has several employees who are UoS alumni, will provide scholarships and training opportunities for UoS students and share recruitment opportunities through its job portals and career fair.

Commenting on the MoU, Al Huraimel said, "As the UAE accelerates its transition to a knowledge-based economy, we aim to support the efforts of our nation’s outstanding educational institutions efforts through our Consultancy, Research & Innovation arm. As the Middle East’s sustainability pioneer, Bee’ah looks forward to exploring ways to strengthen its research and development efforts with the University of Sharjah, while providing opportunities to the UAE’s youth." The initiative is designed to inspire students and develop the UAE’s talent pool, direct young graduates to successful home-grown companies while promoting industry-academic partnerships and knowledge exchanges that will foster sustainable development.

Commenting on the MoU signing, Prof. Al Naimiy said, "University of Sharjah has always supported the vision and directives of its President, HH Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and this partnership aligns with one of the strategic pillars of the university, which is to extend cooperation among national and social institutions and entities across sectors to serve society and further community development." The agreement follows a recent Strategy & report which estimated that Gulf Cooperation Council, GCC, countries could unlock more than US$2 trillion in economic growth and create more than one million jobs by 2030 by promoting sustainability and altering national policies to promote initiatives related to the field. Fostering innovation in science, knowledge and technology is a key part of the UAE’s Vision 2021 plan.

Bee’ah CRI has also published scientific papers on the environmental transmission modes of COVID-19, and the role of waste, water and atmospheric quality on viral infectivity.

Bee’ah CRI is also exploring current and future trends in applied Artificial Intelligence, robotics and digitalisation in the sustainability sphere. Successful projects include establishing Sharjah’s first air quality monitoring system and designing and deploying the emirate’s first blockchain platform for the Hamriyah Free Zone Authority.

© Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2020.