Hi-tech vital force in strategic plan

ABU DHABI // Educators say efforts already underway to boost the science and technology sectors will be key factors for the success of the Abu Dhabi Education Council's higher education strategic plan. Developments in the fields of semiconductors, microchips, aerospace, health and renewable energy all reflect the emphasis on the expansion of science and technology, an area which Abu Dhabi Education Council says is on top of the agenda.

Partnerships with South Korea have already been forged earlier this year between the Advanced Technology Investment Company (Atic) and the Korean Semiconductor Industry Association in Seoul. Atic is currently supporting the development of a semiconductor clean room and associated laboratories at the Masdar Institute's facility to be located in Masdar City. The Masdar Institute has already committed much of its research capacity to developing renewable energy, to reduce the emirate's dependence on oil and gas.

Prof Rory Hume, the provost of UAE University, says that the university's collaboration with other universities in the emirate, such as Masdar and Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research, will, over time, help the emirate develop research capacity in these fields. Eventually, these partnerships will go emirate-wide, he said yesterday. "It's essential that industries and universities work with the government," he said. "What's missing from this nation is robust, peer-reviewed grant processes, so we are delighted there will be more funds available for research and development."

The news of prioritising health will be welcomed by health bosses who are calling for better medical education. Just last week, Dr Tej Maini, chief executive of Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, said: "We have to upgrade our medical schools, develop our postgraduate medical education, work on our residency training in order for it to be at least on par with what is available in the US." Many of the country's doctors continue to travel abroad to train and the country still suffers from a lack of Emirati doctors and nurses, relying on foreign staff.

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