Tuesday’s meeting at the Dubai Future Foundation saw the official launch of the Dubai Research and Development (R&D) Program by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation (DFF).
The new initiative aims to provide a comprehensive framework for research, development and innovation across the emirate, it also aims to increase domestic spending on research, development and innovation projects and maximise the engagement of the private sector in launching and funding R&D projects, the announcement detailed.
“Maximising the private sector’s engagement in R&D is crucial to achieving our future goals in Dubai. Major economies and leading global cities have made great strides throughout history due to their focus on R&D. Therefore, boosting scientific and technological research is pivotal to achieving Dubai’s vision for the future economy,” said Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed.
The Dubai Research and Development Programme is based on four pillars being, providing a roadmap and a comprehensive governance model, setting top priorities for R&D, governing funding and investments and increasing Dubai’s R&D expenditure and maximising the private sectors engagement.
During the meeting, Sheikh Hamdan also highlighted the importance of harnessing Dubai’s growth potential in the sector by encouraging international companies to conduct R&D activities in the emirate, adopting innovative ideas and methodologies, capturing future opportunities and focusing on the knowledge-based economy and advanced technologies, the announcement explained.
The Dubai R&D programme has outlined four priorities in Dubai: health and well-being, environmental technology, smart built infrastructure, and space and augmented human-machine intelligence.
The program’s endeavours in these fields will be aided by the adoption of disruptive technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), big data, the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, robotics, drones, 3D printing, and others.
