Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai and Emirates Scholar Sign MoU to Advance Innovation and Academic Development

Dubai – February 2026

Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai and Emirates Scholar Center for Research and Studies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening academic and scientific collaboration, advancing research and innovation ecosystems, and supporting joint efforts to serve the community.

The signing ceremony was attended by Dr. Firas Habbal, President of the Center and Vice Chancellor of the Board of Trustees. Representing RIT Dubai were Dr. Khaled Khawaja, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Mr. Saleh Yamout, Vice President for Finance and Administration, along with several officials.

The MoU seeks to consolidate and expand cooperation across academic, scientific, and research domains through the implementation of joint applied research projects, preparation and publication of scientific studies and papers, and the organization of specialized training programs and conferences. The partnership aims to develop innovative solutions to current and future challenges, particularly in the fields of technology, innovation, and sustainable development. It also supports scientific publishing, academic indexing, and the strengthening of researchers’ international academic identity.

Dr. Khaled Khawaja stated: “Innovation does not emerge in closed spaces. It is a direct result of intersecting expertise and institutional integration. When a university and a research center share the same vision, they not only accelerate progress but also elevate the quality of knowledge produced”.

Dr. Firas Habbal emphasized the importance of the partnership, noting: “We view this collaboration as a long-term investment in knowledge capital, where the researcher becomes a central pillar within the innovation ecosystem”.

Areas of cooperation also include knowledge exchange, joint reports and publications, leveraging digital transformation and artificial intelligence applications to support research and innovation, building local and international research partnerships, and empowering research professionals.

This collaboration reflects the shared commitment of both parties to exchange expertise and knowledge through jointly implemented research and applied projects based on mutually agreed action plans. It reinforces the role of scientific research as a key driver of sustainable development, in alignment with the United Arab Emirates’ national vision to support research, innovation, and enhance the country’s global research competitiveness.