SEWA and AUS cooperate in research and innovation

Sharjah 24: Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the American University of Sharjah (AUS) with the aim of enhancing cooperation in the fields of research, development, training, supporting student projects, and exchanging knowledge, which contributes to achieving sustainability and developing the energy and water sectors in the Emirate.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by His Excellency Abdullah Abdulrahman Al Shamsi, Director General of SEWA, and Dr. Tod Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, in the presence of a number of engineers from both sides.

Achieving sustainable development in Sharjah

His Excellency Abdullah Abdulrahman Al Shamsi stressed the importance of this agreement in activating joint cooperation between the Authority and the University, enhancing innovation, and developing sustainable solutions in the fields of energy and water, with a focus on adopting the latest technologies to enhance the efficiency of services. The agreement will also open new horizons for students and researchers to contribute to developing projects that have a positive impact on the community and the local economy and achieve the goals of sustainable development in the Emirate of Sharjah.

Al Shamsi pointed out that the MoU includes implementing joint research in various fields including conserving energy consumption, developing water and desalination network technologies, reducing electricity, water and gas losses, in addition to enhancing the use of artificial intelligence in the production and distribution of vital resources. It also includes cooperation in the fields of cybersecurity, analysis of protection systems, and automation of systems, in addition to developing the management of business operations and logistics services.

Dr. Eng. Hassan Ahmed Al Zarooni, Director of the Research and Studies Department at the Authority, confirmed that the agreement will contribute to enhancing the scientific research and innovation environment, as the department will work to coordinate and implement joint research projects, and support studies that contribute to developing the institutional performance of the Authority. Efforts will also be unified to find practical solutions based on research to address challenges in the energy, water and gas sectors.

University students training

Al Zarooni added that the MoU focuses on providing training opportunities in the Authority's various projects and departments for university students, and supporting graduation projects and academic research related to the Authority's fields of work, while ensuring the continuity of these programmes across future generations. Workshops, training courses and professional conferences will also be organised to transfer knowledge and enhance the skills of students and employees.

The agreement includes that the American University of Sharjah will work to provide research solutions to address the challenges facing the Authority, while giving the Authority’s employees the opportunity to participate in scientific research and publish its results in prestigious scientific journals. Data will also be exchanged to support research projects, in addition to making the university’s laboratories and research facilities available to researchers from both parties.