As countries accelerate efforts to tackle climate change, energy transition, and the responsible deployment of artificial intelligence, universities are taking on a broader role of connecting disciplines, enabling collaboration, and translating research into solutions with real-world impact. The International Conference onAI and Materials for Sustainability (AIMS 2025), organised by IIT Delhi - Abu Dhabi (IITD-AD) from 15 to 17 December, illustrated this evolving role with depth and clarity.
Conceived and led by IITD-AD, AIMS 2025 aligned closely with the UAE National AI Strategy 2031 and the country’s Net Zero by 2050 goal, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s ambition to advance high-value sectors, including energy, materials, manufacturing, and chemical processes, through sustainable solutions. By locating the conference in Abu Dhabi, AIMS 2025 highlighted the Emirate’s growing prominence as a global hub for research, innovation, and sustainable development.
Beginning with a pre-conference workshop on 14 December at the IITD-AD campus in Khalifa City, AIMS 2025 unfolded over three days with more than 400 delegates and over 100 speakers from more than 20 countries participating in 24 technical sessions, 4 specialised workshops, over 200 research presentations, and 14 awards recognising excellence in scientific work. Showcasing remarkable breadth for a campus in only its second year, the conference drew on IIT Delhi’s six-decade legacy, leveraging its academic strengths, global networks, and culture of innovation to position IITD-AD as a leading centre for global research collaboration.
The conference addressed key themes in sustainability research, including AI-enabled materials discovery, data-driven modelling for energy and chemical systems, carbon capture and utilisation, circular resource strategies, and AI in experimental science. Each session emphasised methodological rigor, reproducibility, and potential for real-world application.
AIMS 2025 was framed within both a historical and regional context. Prof. Mohammad Ali Haider, Vice Provost for Research and External Engagement at IITD-AD, emphasised the continuum of human inquiry, “Artificial intelligence and advanced materials are not solely products of the modern era. Their foundations stretch across centuries; from Āryabhaṭa’s mathematical innovations, through Al-Khwārizmi’s algorithms, to Jābir ibn Ḥayyān’s experimental approaches in chemistry and materials science. Recognising this shared intellectual heritage highlights how knowledge has flowed across regions, connecting past wisdom with today’s technological and sustainability challenges.”
This historical context finds true resonance in Abu Dhabi, where tradition, heritage and forward-looking ambition intersect. Just minutes from the conference venue, Masdar City exemplifies sustainable urban innovation, while the UAE’s carbon capture facility at Al Reyadah, in a hard-to-abate sector demonstrates the translation of knowledge into practical, high-impact solutions.
Distinguished researchers from leading international institutions enriched the conference discussions, bringing perspectives that bridged fundamental science and applied sustainability research. Awards for outstanding oral and poster presentations by the reputed journals of the American Chemical Society reinforced alignment with global standards of academic excellence and scholarly rigor.
The conference also showcased the UAE’s growing research ecosystem, with leading faculty from Khalifa University, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Higher Colleges of Technology(HCT), Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), and representatives from International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) contributing regional insights on decarbonisation, AI systems, and sustainability policy. These interactions highlighted the integration of IITD-AD within Abu Dhabi’s scientific landscape and its role in connecting global expertise with local challenges.
AIMS 2025 paid particular attention to early-career researchers and students. Doctoral candidates, postdoctoral fellows, and undergraduates engaged directly with senior scientists, receiving feedback on methodology, presentation, and career development. Workshops on data-driven materials design, AI-enabled experimental workflows, scientific communication and Lab-to-Industry pathways complemented the technical programme, reinforcing IITD-AD’s commitment to cultivating research capability alongside innovation and enterpreneurship. Senior leaders from international scientific organisations interacted with IIT Delhi - Abu Dhabi’s undergraduate and postgraduate engineering students, offering insight into the realities of global research careers.
Importantly, AIMS was the culmination of a year-long series of engagements led by IIT Delhi - Abu Dhabi, including the Quantum Technology Workshop, Carbon Capture and Beyond Symposium, AI, Security and Silicon Research Symposium, Energy and AI Summer Bootcamps for high-school students and IIT Delhi - Abu Dhabi Ignite 2025 startup event inviting deep-tech startups from UAE-India landscape. Immediately following AIMS, the Workshop on Photonics, Genomics and AI for Health centered Abu Dhabi in launching new Indo-Norwegian collaborations in healthcare technologies, further extending the campus’s influence across disciplines.
In his concluding remarks, Prof. Shantanu Roy, Executive Director at IITD-AD stated, “AIMS 2025 signals not only the growth of IITD-AD as a research institution but also Abu Dhabi’s evolution as a regional hub for scientific collaboration and sustainable innovation.” As IIT Delhi - Abu Dhabi campus completes its second year of establishment, AIMS 2025 stands as a defining moment: a conference where emerging scholars met global leaders, where ideas were rigorously discussed and shared, and where the campus’s role in shaping a knowledge-driven, sustainable future in the UAE was made unmistakably clear.
This page was produced by The National in partnership with IIT Delhi - Abu Dhabi.
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Where: Etihad Stadium
When: Tuesday, 10.45pm
Live on beIN Sports HD
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples. Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts. Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
not be younger than 25 years old
not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Fixtures:
Thursday:
Hatta v Al Jazira, 4.55pm
Al Wasl v Dibba, 7.45pm
Friday:
Al Dhafra v Al Nasr, 5.05pm
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai v Al Wahda, 7.45pm
Saturday:
Ajman v Emirates, 4.55pm
Al Ain v Sharjah, 7.45pm
The specs: 2018 Kia Picanto
Price: From Dh39,500
Engine: 1.2L inline four-cylinder
Transmission: Four-speed auto
Power: 86hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 122Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.0L / 100km
Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy
“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
Last 10 NBA champions
2017: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-1
2016: Cleveland bt Golden State 4-3
2015: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-2
2014: San Antonio bt Miami 4-1
2013: Miami bt San Antonio 4-3
2012: Miami bt Oklahoma City 4-1
2011: Dallas bt Miami 4-2
2010: Los Angeles Lakers bt Boston 4-3
2009: Los Angeles Lakers bt Orlando 4-1
2008: Boston bt Los Angeles Lakers 4-2
Tips to keep your car cool
Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
Park in shaded or covered areas
Add tint to windows
Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
Favourite Emirati dish: I have so many because it has a lot of herbs and vegetables. Harees (oats with chicken) is one of them
Favourite place to go to: Dubai Mall because it has lots of sports shops.
Her motivation: My performance because I know that whatever I do, if I put the effort in, I’ll get results
During her free time: I like to drink coffee - a latte no sugar and no flavours. I do not like cold drinks
Pet peeve: That with every meal they give you a fries and Pepsi. That is so unhealthy
Advice to anyone who wants to be an ironman: Go for the goal. If you are consistent, you will get there. With the first one, it might not be what they want but they should start and just do it
The specs: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor
Price, base / as tested Dh220,000 / Dh320,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission 10-speed automatic
Power 421hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 678Nm @ 3,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.1L / 100km
Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
Funding stage: series A; $20 million
Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
Changing visa rules
For decades the UAE has granted two and three year visas to foreign workers, tied to their current employer. Now that's changing.
Last year, the UAE cabinet also approved providing 10-year visas to foreigners with investments in the UAE of at least Dh10 million, if non-real estate assets account for at least 60 per cent of the total. Investors can bring their spouses and children into the country.
It also approved five-year residency to owners of UAE real estate worth at least 5 million dirhams.
The government also said that leading academics, medical doctors, scientists, engineers and star students would be eligible for similar long-term visas, without the need for financial investments in the country.
