Future of Industry Dialogue: third in series focuses on the UAE's advanced technology sector
Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Technology, meet private sector representatives
The UAE's Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology held the third of its Future of Industry Dialogue online meetings, exploring ways of increasing the advanced technology sector’s contribution to the country's economic growth.
The first in the series, which began this month, focused on the heavy industries and the second on supporting a resilient food and beverage sector in the UAE.
In the third dialogue, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Technology, met Faisal Al Bannai, secretary general of the Advanced Technology Research Council, Badr Al Olama, executive director at Mubadala Investment Company, Ismail Abdulla, chief executive of aircraft parts manufacturer Strata, chief executive of clean energy company Masdar, Mohamed Al Ramahi, Dr Eric Xing, president of the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, AI and cloud computing group G42's chief executive Peng Xiao, multinational GE's gulf president Dalya Al Muthanna and Honeywell's president of high growth regions Norm Gilsdorf, Siemens Energy's regional managing director Dietmar Siersdorfer, Abdul Rahman Al Thehaiba of Oracle, Unilever's Yasir Jamal, Google's Selim Edde and IT company Cisco's Reem Assad.
Covid-19 has completely transformed the way we use technology, from working remotely to exploring virtual solutions in healthcare to the enhanced uptake for e-commerce and distance learning
Dr Al Jaber said that although the industrial sector has been impacted by the pandemic, technology companies "have played a vital role in ensuring we can adapt and survive".
"Covid-19 has completely transformed the way we use technology, from working remotely to exploring virtual solutions in healthcare to the enhanced uptake for e-commerce and distance learning, among so many others,” he said.
The UAE's resilience can also be attributed in "large measure to the continuous investments in advanced technology and artificial intelligence, as well as to our strategic partnerships with the private sector,” Dr Al Jaber said.
With regards to the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the changes being made to jobs and the way businesses operate thanks to rapid technological advances, "the UAE has begun to build new, agile policy frameworks and shape cybersecurity regulations ... building cutting-edge infrastructure that can support and spur future industrial growth", said Dr Al Jaber.
He encouraged advanced technology companies to enhance their contribution to national R&D efforts through sustained education initiatives and research grants to enable young Emiratis to begin their careers in these vital fields.
Ms Al Amiri said the advanced technology and future focused industries are a national priority for the UAE in navigating the critical post-Covid-19 pandemic recovery phase.
“Embracing technology during the pandemic has been the key to resilience and sustainability. Recognising that the future lies within the realms of knowledge, R&D and technology, the UAE has established [the ministry] to realise its ambition to lead the Fourth Industrial Revolution and fast-track the transition to a knowledge-based economy."
This includes shaping emerging industries such as space and medical technology and such aims can only be achieved with a comprehensive ecosystem in place, she said.
A meeting of young minds
The 3,494 entries for the 2019 Sharjah Children Biennial come from:
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Humanitarian and Civic Services: Women’s Programs Association (Lebanon)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Osamah Al Thini (Libya)
Excellence in Education: World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) (Qatar)
Outstanding Arab Woman: Balghis Badri (Sudan)
Scientific and Technological Achievement: Mohamed Slim Alouini (KSA)
Young Entrepreneur: Omar Itani (Lebanon)
Lifetime Achievement: Suad Al Amiry (Palestine)
How to apply for a drone permit
Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
Submit their request
What are the regulations?
Fly it within visual line of sight
Never over populated areas
Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
Should have a live feed of the drone flight
Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE results Lost to Oman by eight runs Beat Namibia by three wickets Lost to Oman by 12 runs Beat Namibia by 43 runs
UAE fixtures Free admission. All fixtures broadcast live on icc.tv
Tuesday March 15, v PNG at Sharjah Cricket Stadium Friday March 18, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium Saturday March 19, v PNG at Dubai International Stadium Monday March 21, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium
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Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
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Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.
2006: Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
2007: Frederic Kanoute (Sevilla and Mali)
2008: Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal and Togo)
2009: Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
2010: Samuel Eto’o (Inter Milan and Cameroon)
2011: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2012: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2013: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2014: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2015: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund and Gabon)
2016: Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City and Algeria)
SCHEDULE
December 8: UAE v USA (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)
December 9: USA v Scotland (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)
December 11: UAE v Scotland (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)
