A distinguished delegation from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), renowned for its focus on science, engineering, business, humanities, and social sciences, will visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from April 15th to 18th, 2024. Led by the University President, the delegation's primary objective is to foster relationships with the UAE's higher education and innovation sectors, with a specific emphasis on exploring collaboration opportunities in robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and sustainable energy technologies. The delegation also aims to align HKUST's engineering and technological expertise with the UAE's investments in these crucial domains.
Hong Kong and the UAE have established robust economic ties over the past decade, with the UAE becoming one of Hong Kong's major trading partners in the Middle East. This commitment to strengthening bilateral relations was highlighted by Hong Kong's Chief Executive, Mr. John Lee, during his inaugural overseas visit to the UAE last year. Furthermore, earlier this year, Hong Kong's Secretary for Innovation, Technology, and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, visited the UAE to foster collaborations, particularly in technological innovation.
Building on these initiatives, HKUST's President, Professor Nancy Ip, will lead the delegation to the UAE, marking a significant milestone as the first leader of a Hong Kong university to reinforce the city's dedication to advancing research and innovation in partnership with the UAE. During their visit, the HKUST delegation will engage in meetings and discussions with government representatives, companies, and other stakeholders involved in innovation, research, technology, and technology transfer in the fields of robotics, AI, clean energy, and startup incubation.
Key institutions such as the Dubai Future Foundation, the University of Sharjah, Khalifa University, and the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence will be pivotal in establishing new connections. Additionally, recognizing HKUST's ambition to establish Hong Kong's third medical school, the delegation will also explore collaboration opportunities by visiting the advanced medical research facilities of these UAE institutions.
