The University of Sharjah and Heriot-Watt University have signed a memorandum of understanding that will see both institutions collaborate on research, education and training.
The agreement was signed by Professor Muammar Baltayyeb, University of Sharjah's Charge D'affaires and Deputy Director for Scientific Research and Higher Studies' Affairs, and Professor Steve Chapman, Heriot-Watt's Vice-Chancellor and Principal.
The partnership focuses on the importance of international cooperation in teaching, training and scientific research, with the agreement encompassing Heriot-Watt's Dubai and UK campuses.
Through this Memorandum of Understanding, both universities hope to provide a strong platform for PhD students and give them easy access to the necessary information and tools to further their studies and research
The agreement will see cooperation across several fields including teacher, researcher and research student exchange programmes, joint research activities, structured discussion around education and research challenges as well as joint supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students. The universities will exchange teaching materials, published research and scientific data, in addition to jointly funded research proposals with a view to promoting a stronger scientific research culture and acting as incubators for start-ups and efficient business and technology ventures.
Professor Muammar Baltayyeb, commented on the importance of this agreement within the framework of the University of Sharjah's drive to develop and promote scientific research and exchange expertise and experiences with dedicated institutions from all over the world.
He said: "I hope this memorandum will help us in further cooperation in well-defined research projects, especially where universities have both similar dedicated fields, such as engineering and computing, which I believe should be granted top priority."
Meetings are already under way following the agreement. A delegation from Heriot-Watt University recently visited the University of Sharjah's central laboratories to discuss research agreements and joint work.
Professor Ammar Kaka, Vice-Principal and Head of Dubai Campus, said: "Heriot-Watt places significant importance on research-led programmes, and continually invests in this area. With strong infrastructure and highly-qualified academic staff, we believe the University of Sharjah is an ideal partner and we look forward to collaborating with the view to promoting research and innovation in the region. Through this Memorandum of Understanding, both universities hope to provide a strong platform for PhD students and give them easy access to the necessary information and tools to further their studies and research."