MBZUAI welcomes 127 new students for new academic year

The Abu Dhabi university received 3,668 applications, with almost a third of the intake women

MBZUAI's intake comprises 22 doctoral and 105 master’s degree students from more than 25 countries. Photo: Wam

Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence has welcomed 127 new students before the new academic year, bringing its total student population to 259.

The university, located in Abu Dhabi, received 3,668 student applications — with an admission rate of 3.5 per cent.

It currently boasts courses across three departments, with master’s and doctoral degree programmes in computer vision, machine learning and natural language processing.

Its new intake comprises 22 doctoral and 105 master’s degree students.

Successful applicants are a mix of local and international students, with 30 from the UAE and the remainder from more than 25 countries — including Japan, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Indonesia and Iraq.

Officials said 23 of the intake come from the top 100 computer science-ranked institutions around the world, while close to a third are female.

“As a research university, one of our central contributions is in the development of AI talent, growing and sustaining a pipeline of future builders, innovators, thinkers and leaders in the field,” said Professor Eric Xing, president of MBZUAI.

At the end of their academic journey, MBZUAI graduates will be equipped with skills and expertise to pursue careers in industries in the UAE and other countries and leading academic institutions to support the fourth Industrial Revolution, officials said.

“This year’s incoming class is a select group of top students from highly reputable global universities who will join us to grow their academic credentials and develop their entrepreneurial aspirations,” said Mr Xing.

“Our ambition is that they’ll partake in exceptional research, bolster industrial innovation in the UAE and contribute to scientific advancements and economic growth for a better world.

MBZUAI ranks at 30 globally in artificial intelligence, computer vision, machine learning and natural language processing.

This puts MBZUAI ahead of globally renowned research universities such as the University of Michigan, Georgia Tech and Imperial College London.

MBZUAI programmes - in pictures

The launch of MBZUAI. Photo: MBZUAI

MBZUAI Board of Trustees at the launch of the University in October 2019. Photo: MBZUAI

Professor Sir Michael Brady.

Dr. Kai-Fu Lee, MBZUAI. Photo: MBZUAI

Professor Dr. Eric Xing. Photo: MBZUAI

Professor Michael Jordan. Photo: MBZUAI

Professor Daniela Rus. Photo: MBZUAI

Mohammed Bin Zayed University Artificial Intelligence in Masdar City. Khushnum Bhandari/ The National

Mohammed Bin Zayed University Artificial Intelligence in Masdar City. Khushnum Bhandari/ The National