Chancellor Address to UAEU Faculty Published in Leading Journals at a special commemoration service held for the purpose

Al Ain October 30th 2023

Dear Colleagues

We are gathered here today to celebrate the outstanding achievements of members of our community. The individuals who we congratulate this morning are faculty, researchers, and students from this university who in 2022, succeeded in having their scholarly works published in the world’s leading scientific journals.

I should like to address a few words to them.

Colleagues!

Your success marks the high quality of the research that we undertake at UAEU. To have research outputs published in reputable journals is highly significant.

·      It signals the recognition of your peers in your academic discipline.

·      It shows the relevance of the research to your field and the potential interest of the scientific community.

·      It shows the competitive advantage of your research within the field.

·      It is an indicator of excellence and distinction and adds to the international reputation of UAEU.

Publication in the world’s leading journals brings your research to international attention. The citation of your work by your peers demonstrates its merit and shines a bright light on our university.

At UAEU we recognise the different challenges and requirements of different disciplines, and the differing nature of how research outputs are consumed. Experimental science is conducted in large groups and requires advanced equipment and extensive funding. In contrast, small groups engaged in computational and theoretical research can achieve remarkable success with small levels of support. The audience for research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is extensive, leading to vastly higher citation counts than in the humanities and social sciences. Therefore at UAEU we do not determine success in terms of quantities of funding, teams, or citations. We recognise that the gold standard is to have a publication in the top journal of a given field. This is why we celebrate your success today.

UAEU has always prioritised the education of our students: undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students. Our recent transition to a research-intensive university changes nothing about this mission. This is because the process of research, the publication of research, and the scholarly activity surrounding these publications infuse the education of students.

·      The advances in your knowledge, and the way you go about producing and using this knowledge become part of what students will learn.

·      Your students are inspired by the ways in which you innovate, and how you act as entrepreneurs to commercialise your research.

·      They observe how you engage with society and community groups to advance public understanding of your science.

·      They notice how you assist stakeholders to interpret and use your results.

In this way students come to understand the dynamism and significance of scholarly endeavour in any disciplinary field, and they are excited and motivated.

UAEU is resolved to solidify and enhance our research infrastructure according to the needs of researchers in all disciplines. As an example, our Patents’ Accelerator Project has reduced the time required to file a patent from more than 150 to less than 70 working days.

Our 2023 – 2026 Research and Innovation Strategy defines six themes as areas of priority. These are aligned to the needs of our nation and the aspirations of our wise leadership. They are:

1)    Health and Medical Sciences,

2)    Space Science and Technology,

3)    Water, Energy, Food and Agriculture Sustainability,

4)    Digital Technology and Security,

5)    Material Science and Manufacturing, and

6)    Emerging Humanities, Social and Economic Issues. This latter theme embraces entrepreneurship and innovation, education and lifelong learning, and societal wellbeing.

At UAEU we focus on research that has impact and is translatable to the needs of the UAE’s sustainable development and its transition to a knowledge economy. The publication in the world’s leading journals of research outcomes of this nature will reap many advantages. It will bring our region to world attention. It will bring greater reputation to UAEU. And it will contribute to the UAE national vision to become a world leader in all fields.

Colleagues!

You have already demonstrated that you have the capability, talent, and skill to succeed in this manner. You merit the identity conferred within our faculty classification system. You are now our role models, and an example to be followed by other faculty and students.

I offer you my sincere gratitude and my warmest appreciation.

Thank you.