Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - October 16, 2019: The launch of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial intelligence. Wednesday the 16th of October 2019. Masdar City, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - October 16, 2019: The launch of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial intelligence. Wednesday the 16th of October 2019. Masdar City, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - October 16, 2019: The launch of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial intelligence. Wednesday the 16th of October 2019. Masdar City, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - October 16, 2019: The launch of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial intelligence. Wednesday the 16th of October 2019. Masdar City, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak /

Education

Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi's AI university pushes back start date to January 2021

The decision was made to protect the health and well-being of students and staff

The National

May 10, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

The world's first dedicated artificial intelligence university in Abu Dhabi has pushed back its start date for its inaugural class to January 2021.

Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) was set to welcome its first batch of students in August, but the academic year has been delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and chairman of the Board of Trustees said the decision was made to protect the "health and well-being" of students and staff.

"The university is eager and ready to welcome our first cohort of students from around the world, however, given the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic, the decision to start the academic year in 2021 has been made in the best interests of the prospective students, faculty, and staff," he said.

  • The launch of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial intelligence at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi in October 2019. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The launch of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial intelligence at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi in October 2019. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • From left to right Peng Xiao, Professor Daniela Rus, Professor Andrew Chi-Chih Yao, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and chairman of the MBZUAI Board of Trustees, Professor Sir Michael Brady, Professor Anil K Jain and Dr Kai-Fu Lee at the launch of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial intelligence.
    From left to right Peng Xiao, Professor Daniela Rus, Professor Andrew Chi-Chih Yao, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and chairman of the MBZUAI Board of Trustees, Professor Sir Michael Brady, Professor Anil K Jain and Dr Kai-Fu Lee at the launch of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial intelligence.
  • The first classes were scheduled to begin in September 2020 but have now been postponed to January 2021.
    The first classes were scheduled to begin in September 2020 but have now been postponed to January 2021.
  • As the first university to have a singular focus on AI, the institution aims to attract students from around the world to advance the technology and propel the UAE’s economic diversification efforts.
    As the first university to have a singular focus on AI, the institution aims to attract students from around the world to advance the technology and propel the UAE’s economic diversification efforts.
  • At the launch, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said the "invention of electricity, the railroad, smartphones all transformed the world as we knew it. AI can lead to an ever-greater societal and economic transformation."
    At the launch, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said the "invention of electricity, the railroad, smartphones all transformed the world as we knew it. AI can lead to an ever-greater societal and economic transformation."
  • Omar Al Olama, the UAE's Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence at the launch of the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in Abu Dhabi.
    Omar Al Olama, the UAE's Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence at the launch of the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in Abu Dhabi.
  • Dr Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Falasi, Minister of Higher Education.
    Dr Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Falasi, Minister of Higher Education.
  • AI is expected to add 14 per cent to the world’s gross domestic product by 2030, equivalent to $15.7 trillion (Dh57.7tn), according to business consultancy PwC.
    AI is expected to add 14 per cent to the world’s gross domestic product by 2030, equivalent to $15.7 trillion (Dh57.7tn), according to business consultancy PwC.
  • The UAE ranks 19th worldwide on the government AI readiness index, first in the region, according to Oxford Insights.
    The UAE ranks 19th worldwide on the government AI readiness index, first in the region, according to Oxford Insights.
  • With the opening of MBZUAI, AI research will be both common and local in the UAE.
    With the opening of MBZUAI, AI research will be both common and local in the UAE.
  • Professor Sir Michael Brady and Dr Sultan Al Jaber.
    Professor Sir Michael Brady and Dr Sultan Al Jaber.
  • The launch of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial intelligence at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The launch of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial intelligence at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber.
    Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber.
  • The launch of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial intelligence at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi.
    The launch of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial intelligence at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi.
  • L-R Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Al Falasi and Omar Al Olama.
    L-R Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Al Falasi and Omar Al Olama.
  • The launch of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial intelligence at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi.
    The launch of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial intelligence at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi.
  • The launch of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial intelligence at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi.
    The launch of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial intelligence at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi.

Construction on the campus, located in Masdar City in the capital, is due to be complete in the coming weeks.

Once open, it will offer Master of Science (MSc) and PhD-level programmes to interested students on a full scholarship, which includes a monthly allowance, health insurance, and accommodation.

Launched in October 2019, the university has garnered global interest and has received more than 1,200 applications from more than 80 countries.

All of those who applied have been informed of the change and the university admissions office said it would begin to send out additional acceptance offers soon.

In a letter sent out to applicants, Professor Sir Michael Brady, interim president of MBZUAI, said the global containment measures related to Covid-19 made it “difficult to ensure” that every admitted student would be able to join the Masdar City campus in August 2020.

However, he expressed his excitement at welcoming all students in the New Year to explore the “full potential of AI together".

Students will also take up internships at some of the world’s leading global and local technology companies during their time on campus.

During a video conference on Wednesday, the board also discussed future plans for the university including faculty and leadership positions and potential employment opportunities for graduating students.

While you're here
While you're here
Fixtures

Wednesday

4.15pm: Japan v Spain (Group A)

5.30pm: UAE v Italy (Group A)

6.45pm: Russia v Mexico (Group B)

8pm: Iran v Egypt (Group B)

Our legal consultants

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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While you're here
PSL FINAL

Multan Sultans v Peshawar Zalmi
8pm, Thursday
Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

The specs: 2019 Cadillac XT4

Price, base: Dh145,000

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged in-line four-cylinder engine

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

Power: 237hp @ 5,000rpm

Torque: 350Nm @ 1,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km

The Freedom Artist

By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)

'The%20Alchemist's%20Euphoria'
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EArtist%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Kasabian%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELabel%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EColumbia%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Results:

Men's wheelchair 800m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 1.44.79; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 1.45.88; 3. Isaac Towers (GBR) 1.46.46.

Country-size land deals

US interest in purchasing territory is not as outlandish as it sounds. Here's a look at some big land transactions between nations:

Louisiana Purchase

If Donald Trump is one who aims to broker "a deal of the century", then this was the "deal of the 19th Century". In 1803, the US nearly doubled in size when it bought 2,140,000 square kilometres from France for $15 million.

Florida Purchase Treaty

The US courted Spain for Florida for years. Spain eventually realised its burden in holding on to the territory and in 1819 effectively ceded it to America in a wider border treaty. 

Alaska purchase

America's spending spree continued in 1867 when it acquired 1,518,800 km2 of  Alaskan land from Russia for $7.2m. Critics panned the government for buying "useless land".

The Philippines

At the end of the Spanish-American War, a provision in the 1898 Treaty of Paris saw Spain surrender the Philippines for a payment of $20 million. 

US Virgin Islands

It's not like a US president has never reached a deal with Denmark before. In 1917 the US purchased the Danish West Indies for $25m and renamed them the US Virgin Islands.

Gwadar

The most recent sovereign land purchase was in 1958 when Pakistan bought the southwestern port of Gwadar from Oman for 5.5bn Pakistan rupees. 

Afcon 2019

SEMI-FINALS

Senegal v Tunisia, 8pm

Algeria v Nigeria, 11pm

Matches are live on BeIN Sports

Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE

Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:

• Buy second hand stuff

 They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.

• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres

 Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.

• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.

Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.

• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home

Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.

The specs

Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo

Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed

Power: 271 and 409 horsepower

Torque: 385 and 650Nm

Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000

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