Abu Dhabi Ports, the master developer, operator and manager of ports and Khalifa Industrial zone in the emirate, and Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will pave the way for knowledge sharing, joint research projects, and job opportunities for students.

Abdullah Humaid Al Hameli, acting /executive vice president - corporate services, at Abu Dhabi Ports, and Dr Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, executive vice president of Khalifa University, signed the MoU at Abu Dhabi Ports’ headquarters.

The signing was witnessed by Dr Tod Laursen, Khalifa University’s president and Dr Mohammed Al Mualla, the university’s senior vice president for research and graduate studies.

Aiming to collaborate in areas of mutual interest, the MoU will provide a framework for both parties to exchange knowledge and expertise in order to achieve common goals. One such goal is to exchange innovative research findings– especially in the field of engineering, which can then be reviewed by Abu Dhabi Ports and possibly implemented to improve the quality of its services.

The MoU aims to initiate internship and mentoring programmes led by Abu Dhabi Ports’ staff for Khalifa University students. Abu Dhabi Ports will also offer job opportunities to the university’s students as part of its efforts to develop the Emirati workforce, said the statement.

Abu Dhabi Ports has several tailor-made mentoring, training and development programmes to attract and develop Emirati talents and guide them on their career development, it stated.

Al Hameli said: “This significant partnership with one of the Emirates’ leading universities supports two of Abu Dhabi Ports’ strategic objectives of innovation and Emiratisation.”

“Our efforts to build a national cadre of trained Emirati talent that will further develop our operational framework to implement innovative solutions, stems from our wise leadership’s vision to have the UAE reach the top global benchmarks of innovation and business practices. Collaborating with prestigious educational institutions and training centres allows us to work together in achieving this vision,” he said.

Al Hammadi said: "We at the university strive to contribute to a world-class higher education that effectively employs innovation and research.”

“We also aim to build bridges of fruitful cooperation with various government and private organisations that empower Emiratis and prepares them to play a role in contributing to the UAE’s economy, according to the vision of the UAE’s wise leadership,” he said.

“We would like to thank Abu Dhabi Ports and its administration for their confidence in the university’s output. We hope that this MoU will be the beginning of a journey of collaboration between the two partners. We also look forward to seeing the achievements of our alumni in such a prestigious company as Abu Dhabi Ports,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service