Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council plans to launch three new ventures aimed at boosting research and development in the Emirates, as it seeks to expand its innovation economy.
The ventures include projects to enhance data security in the quantum era, apply advancements in smart autonomous mobility, and develop AgriTech through robotic technologies.
The initiatives are expected to be launched this year by the council's commercialisation arm VentureOne, the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office said in a statement on Monday.
The projects are aimed at translating research into products and services, the statement said.
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, who led a meeting of the council's board of directors on Monday, reviewed the plans.
He emphasised the UAE’s role as an incubator for innovation and encouraged the application of technology-based solutions across key sectors.
Founded in 2020 at Masdar City, the council is responsible for defining Abu Dhabi’s research strategy across academia and industry, facilitating investment funding, and driving policy and regulation for smart decision-making.
The UAE has made significant R&D strides in the past few years, elevating its position in global technology. It moved up five places to rank as the top Arab country on the UN Frontier Technologies Readiness Index 2023. The UAE was 37th out of 166 countries on the list.
Sheikh Khaled also reviewed additional plans for Abu Dhabi to strengthen its position in the global R&D landscape. He highlighted the importance of the council’s UAE Research Map in boosting co-operation efforts among relevant entities.
Launched in May, the UAE Research Map has attracted more than 2,000 visits in its first two months and features 30 participating entities, with more than 450 registered experts.
Sheikh Khaled emphasised the need to qualify and prepare national talent in Stem (science, technology, engineering and maths) fields.
The meeting also reviewed the council’s applied research pillar, the Technology Innovation Institute, which recently unveiled the Abu Dhabi Quantum Optical Ground Station. It is the first and largest facility in the Middle East and North Africa dedicated to developing secure free-space optical communications.
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Price, base / as tested Dh960,000
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Tickets to the MWTC range from Dh100 and can be purchased from www.ticketmaster.ae or by calling 800 86 823 from within the UAE or 971 4 366 2289 from outside the country and all Virgin Megastores. Fans looking to attend all three days of the MWTC can avail of a special 20 percent discount on ticket prices.
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- 20,000 new jobs for Emiratis over three years
- Dh300 million set aside to train 18,000 jobseekers in new skills
- Managerial jobs in government restricted to Emiratis
- Emiratis to get priority for 160 types of job in private sector
- Portion of VAT revenues will fund more graduate programmes
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The five pillars of Islam
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2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
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Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
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The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
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Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
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Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
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180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Day 3, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Just three balls remained in an exhausting day for Sri Lanka’s bowlers when they were afforded some belated cheer. Nuwan Pradeep, unrewarded in 15 overs to that point, let slip a seemingly innocuous delivery down the legside. Babar Azam feathered it behind, and Niroshan Dickwella dived to make a fine catch.
Stat of the day - 2.56 Shan Masood and Sami Aslam are the 16th opening partnership Pakistan have had in Tests in the past five years. That turnover at the top of the order – a new pair every 2.56 Test matches on average – is by far the fastest rate among the leading Test sides. Masood and Aslam put on 114 in their first alliance in Abu Dhabi.
The verdict Even by the normal standards of Test cricket in the UAE, this has been slow going. Pakistan’s run-rate of 2.38 per over is the lowest they have managed in a Test match in this country. With just 14 wickets having fallen in three days so far, it is difficult to see 26 dropping to bring about a result over the next two.
