Empowering the UAE’s Scientific Leaders of Tomorrow

Mar 17, 2022
Empowering the UAE’s Scientific Leaders of Tomorrow

 

Our Secure Systems Research Center (SSRC) has revealed that as many as six of its UAE national research employees are currently travelling overseas to pursue their higher education – postgraduate degrees in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and other relevant fields at acclaimed international universities in the UK and the USA. The student researchers are all enrolled at part of the ATRC NexTech Program, that seeks to fast-track exceptional UAE STEM talent into thriving R&D careers.

Ali Alighfeli flew to Imperial College London in October 2021 to work on his post-graduate degree in AI and ML. Aaref Alhammadi left for Purdue University in January this year to work with Professor Dongyan Xu from the Computer Science Department at the Purdue University on a shared research project between the University and the Center. The other students - Eiman Alnuaimi, Noura Alnuaimi, Suhail Almarzouqi, and Shamma Alblooshi – also considered among the Center’s shining stars – are exploring the option of joining the Fall semester at one of the leading universities SSRC is partnering with. For instance, the University of Manchester, in line with its strategic collaboration with SSRC, allows research students from the Center to be informally accepted if they fit regular admission requirements provided by the university.

Once the students obtain their master’s degrees, they will return to SSRC and help with the knowledge transfer that is set to directly add value and impact the internal projects currently underway. Their new insights will help inform new ways of achieving improved outcomes.

Commenting on the development and the benefits of the NexTech Program, Dr. Shreekant “Ticky” Thakkar, Chief Researcher, SSRC, said: “Programs such as NexTech give talented young UAE nationals with a keen interest in STEM disciplines a real chance to achieve brilliant milestones and take their country to the next level. The education and experience such initiatives provide can serve as a catalyst to help them become scientific leaders of tomorrow – well aligned with the government's development plan.”