UAE focused Talks

2017.03.29

The Falcon Genome Project commenced in 2010 and resulted in de novo genome assemblies for the peregrine and saker falcons in 2013, which have been used to understand avian evolution, demography and evolutionary adaptation. The two reference genomes have been the basis for further exploration into adaptation in saker falcons across their geographic range in Eurasia, resulting in some surprising patterns and inferences on the recent history of this species. This lecture describes the anatomy of this genomics project, the challenges and outcomes of the research, and the current research directions of the Falcon Genome Project. 

Speakers
Michael Bruford Professor of Biodiversity, Cardiff University

The Falcon Genome Project  Diversity, Population Structure And Local Adaptation

2017.04.04

An efficient and productive aviation sector can be a strong driver of economic growth. In order to support the development of the sector, the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is committed to cultivating a culture of innovation. This will lead to economic expansion and the reduction of environmental risks in the air transportation services industry. This lecture explores how the focus on research and innovation throughout the sector not only leads to more efficient aircraft technology and operational practices within the industry, but also helps expand research capacity at universities, and develop skills across society.

Part of "Distinguished Women in Science Series"

Speakers
Laila Hareb Assistant Director General - Aviation Strategy & International Affairs, General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)

Innovation And Aviation In The UAE

September 26, 2017

Legal practitioners often describe the United Arab Emirates as a "civil law" jurisdiction. But is that description accurate? The United Arab Emirates is called a melting pot because of the many nationalities and cultures that coexist within its borders. Fittingly, the legal system of the United Arab Emirates mirrors the cultural complexity of the country's population. The United Arab Emirates is an evolving legal system that currently reflects a unique mixture of several of the world's great legal traditions, including Islamic Shari'a, French-inspired civil law, and the Anglo-American common law. This talk will explore the depth and breadth of the legal system in the UAE.

Herb Wolfson Attorney, Managing Partner, ELN Associates FZE

The Nature of the Law in the UAE: Is the UAE a Civil Law Jurisdiction?

March 29, 2018

For a long time, Emirati women were mainly associated with the concealed space of the domestic household and considered as the guardians and transmitters of Emirati tradition and religious values. During the last years, however, Emirati women figure more prominently on the public stage – not least due to a variety of state-sponsored programs aiming at the empowerment of women, particularly in the domain of education, political representation and economic performance. In this context, the term women leadership looms largely in public and governmental discourses highlighting the success that Emirati women meanwhile have achieved by venturing into a great variety of occupations, ranging from business women and politicians, to fighter pilots, athletes, and offshore engineers. The panel discussion aims at alleviating this gap by bringing together three distinguished Emirati women who will address the theme of women’s empowerment from the perspective of their individual specializations and experiences.

Speakers 
Maitha Al Khayat, Writer & Illustrator, Individuals 
Mona Al Ali, Museum Curator and Consultant, Individuals 
Rana Al Mutawa, PhD Candidate in Middle Eastern Studies, University of Oxford

Moderated by 
Laila Prager, Senior Humanities Research Fellow, NYUAD

Empowerment on Trial: Encountering Emirati Women’s Voices

April 11, 2018

The National Pavilion UAE’s architecture exhibition at this year’s Venice Biennale explores human-scale architectural landscapes and aims to highlight the role of architecture and urban design in forming the choreography of people’s daily routines. The interplay between the physicality of architecture and places, and the dynamic choreography of everyday life will be investigated through a curatorial selection of different typologies and places from the UAE’s diverse landscapes and present an exploration of their physical characteristics and typologies; behavioral rhythms and life; and the design traditions that have shaped them. This talk invites the audience to experience important landscapes that are often overlooked in common perceptions about UAE’s mega-development discourse.

Speakers 
Khaled Alawadi, Curator, National Pavilion UAE at the 16th International Architecture Exhibition, la Biennale di Venezia

Lifescapes Beyond Bigness: The UAE’s exhibition at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2018

April 9, 2018

In the 1970’s Ireland was a poor agricultural society with one of the lowest standards of living in Northern Europe. By 1985 per capita GDP stood at 70% of the European Union’s core 15 states. By 2007, it had doubled to 140%. GDP Growth will be 3.5% (2018) and Ireland will remain the EU’s fastest growing economy until 2024. The Global Innovation index 2017 ranked Ireland 10th between Germany (9th) and South Korea (11th). What made these changes possible in a tiny economy on Europe’s periphery? What does a knowledge economy look like from the inside? This talk offers a personal view of what enabled such enormous change so quickly: Leveraging of fundamental scientific research and coupling high-quality education to attract foreign direct investment; Concentration on key niches coupled to a gradual move up the value chain from mere production towards ever-greater innovation.

Speakers 
David Sheehan, Professor of Biochemistry and Interim Dean of College of Arts and Sciences, Khalifa University of Science and Technology

Science and Knowledge Economy: Ireland as a Model for UAE

2018.10.15

In October 2017, the UAE has released the first national Artificial intelligence (AI) strategy recognized as the first strategy of this caliber in the region and the world. The strategy is meant to highlight the framework of the first project in the UAE centennial 2071 and an initial step in 2021 roadmaps. The AI initiative in the UAE is aimed at focusing on revolutionizing technology, education, space, health, energy, water, environment, transport and traffic sectors, amongst others, through building proficient, productive, cost-effective and innovative solutions. The results achieved will streamline an innovative industrial arm of the future in placing the UAE as a global industrial hub, and building the proper economic, technical and scientific communities and groundwork that will support this vision. How important it is to build futuristic research and development industrial communities to support this vision? What are the main criteria that should be set in place to achieve successful outcomes? This discussion is a genuine and collective conversation with His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and a Member of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation and the Deputy Managing Director of the Foundation to capture his vision on the execution of the UAE AI strategy and the resonance of his endeavors to build a pathway for the future of industry and technology in UAE.
Speaker: His Excellency Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Individuals

A Roadmap To The Future- A Conversation With H.E Omar Al Olama

2018.10.14

The talk explores the concept of philanthropy in the region, identifies recent trends that have changed the philanthropic landscape, and proposes methods to create and run successful philanthropic organizations.

Speaker: Mohamed T. Al Qadhi, Director-General, Sandooq Al Watan

The Art Science Of Philantrophic Endeavors

2018.10.09

The UAE has embarked on a number of ambitious initiatives to create a vibrant cultural scene. Through commissioned art projects, educational programs, infrastructural development, and cultural diplomacy, a variety of local and international organizations have created spaces for engagement, creativity, and social change. What role do policies focusing on women, youth and national development play in the cultural field in the UAE? How do top-down initiatives interact with marginal spaces and non-state actors? This panel discussion includes an interactive and candid conversation with Her Excellency Noura Al-Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development and Chairwoman of Twofour54 to reflect on her personal and professional journey and her aspirations for art and culture in the UAE.

Speaker: Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development for the United Arab Emirates, Individuals

Cultural Spaces- A Conversation With H.E. Noura Al - Kaabi

2018.09.17

This documentary covers the story of the young Emirati, Dr. Khaled Al-Suwaidi, who, on February 3, 2018, ran a 327-kilometer, 80-hour ultramarathon from Fujairah Port in Fujairah to Zayed Port in Abu Dhabi. It was the first time someone had ever run such a distance in the United Arab Emirates. Dr. Khaled dedicated this initiative to raise funds for the Cancer Patient Care Society (Rahma), which was established by his father, Prof. Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi. Dr. Khaled believes that in order to reach maturity and personality growth, and to be able to comfortably deal with all difficulties, it is important to step outside of one’s “comfort zone” and accept “self-suffering.” Until October 2017, Dr. Khaled had had no running experience. Since his childhood, he has also had a case of “flat feet,” which is an obstacle to running. Nevertheless, this only added to his determination to achieve his goal. By following a very strict exercise regime, he was able to obtain victory in this difficult battle.

The Rahma Run

2018.09.19

Archaeological discoveries from an ancient village on Marawah Island located in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra region reveal the presence of a sophisticated and skilled population that traded and thrived during the Neolithic period. Artefacts excavated provide a comprehensive picture of life in the UAE around 8,000 years ago. The people living there constructed stone-built houses, the earliest examples of such architecture discovered in the Arabian Gulf. These people herded sheep and goats, and used stone tools to hunt animals like gazelles. The presence of fish, dugong, turtle and dolphin bones suggest that seafood was an important part of their diet. This talk delves into the above topics and examines their historical scope in greater details.

Speaker: Mark Beech, Head of Archaeology (Al Dhafra & Abu Dhabi), Historic Environment Department, Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT)

Life In Stone Age In Abu Dhabi

2018.10.24

Today, families in the UAE wait in hope that a life-saving organ may be donated to a critically ill loved on. In 2018, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi created history in the UAE by developing a comprehensive multi-organ transplant program which is already transforming patients’ lives. This talk explores how the transplants for four major organs – kidney, heart, liver and lung – are giving hope to families in the UAE and around the region by delivering a world-class level of care here in the nation’s capital, meeting the needs of the community while contributing to the sustainability of the country’s healthcare sector.

Speaker
Bashir Sankari, MD; Chief of the Surgical Subspecialties Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi 
Rakesh Suri, MD; Chief Executive Officer, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi

Story Behind The UAEs First Multi - Organ Transplant Program

2018.11.19

The late Sheikh Zayed is well-known for his interest in, and support for, the natural and cultural heritage of the UAE. This talk examines the field of the environment and archaeology of Abu Dhabi to demonstrate his involvement in projects that have led to the preservation of two of Abu Dhabi’s most important nature reserves and to the promotion of knowledge of key archaeological sites, such as the early Christian monastery on the island of Sir Bani Yas. This talk also focuses on the way in which Sheikh Zayed saw the Sir Bani Yas site as being evidence of the UAE’s tradition of cultural and religious tolerance.

Speaker
Peter Hellyer, Writer, Historian & Environmentalist, Individuals

Sheikh Zayed & UAE Natural And Cultural Heritage

Abu Dhabi And The City Of The Future 
2019.02.11

Photographer Andrew Moore presents his images of Abu Dhabi in the context of other cities around the world that he has shot and done projects on. In particular, Moore's talk focuses on how the principles of intelligent urban design apply to these different cities and the lessons learned from both good and bad examples of architecture and city planning.

Speakers 
Andrew Moore, Award-Winning Photographer, Individuals

Abu Dhabi And The City Of The Future

The NYUAD Institute is a center of advanced research, scholarly and creative activity, and public workshops. Institute programs facilitate discussion between academics, students, professionals, and leaders from the UAE and from around the world.