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The event brought together senior representatives from government, academia, and industry, alongside a distinguished group of UK investors and business leaders with established interests in Sharjah’s advanced sectors — including innovation, manufacturing, and research. The gathering reflected the emirate’s growing reputation as a global hub for sustainable investment and knowledge exchange. Among the attendees was Lord David Evans of Watford.
Her Highness Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi emphasised the importance of collaboration in driving creativity, innovation, and prosperity, stating: “Sharjah Day reflects our belief in the power of collaboration to drive knowledge, creativity, and progress. Sharjah’s expanding ecosystem demonstrates how investment in education and research can translate into long-term economic opportunity and international partnerships.”
She added that connecting Sharjah’s universities, innovation parks, and creative industries with world-class centres such as Cambridge and London strengthens its position as a leading hub for sustainable and inclusive growth in the Middle East.
The event followed the Cambridge Leadership Delegation Programme, held in collaboration with the University of Cambridge, which brought Sharjah’s senior leaders from investment, business, research, and education to the UK for strategic knowledge exchange and partnership building.
In a special message, The Rt Hon. Baroness Elizabeth Symons of Vernham Dean, Chair of the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce, praised Sharjah’s ambitions: “I am inspired by the prospects for deepening the partnership between the UK and Sharjah in the vital areas of innovation, research, and entrepreneurship. The ABCC stands ready to support firms in both nations as they explore emerging opportunities in technology-driven industries shaping the global economy.”
A highlight of the programme was the Discover Sharjah panel, featuring: His Excellency Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO, Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK), His Excellency Mohammed Al Musharrakh, CEO, Invest in Sharjah, Her Excellency Sara Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO, Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO and Vice-Chairman of BEEAH, and Mark Johnstone, Global CEO, JSP Safety The panel explored Sharjah’s integrated ecosystem that connects research, entrepreneurship, and industry, including sectors such as renewable energy, biotechnology, and higher education.
This was followed by a fireside chat, The Sharjah Formula, between Her Excellency Najla Al Midfa, Vice Chairperson of Sheraa, and Oliver Cornock, Editor-in-Chief of Oxford Business Group, which examined how Sharjah’s model fuses innovation, community empowerment, and sustainable economic growth.
A key milestone of the event was the launch of The Sharjah Model, a report by Oxford Business Group that analyses the emirate’s path toward building a sustainable ecosystem for talent, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
Two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were also signed between Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and Oxford Business Group to produce the Sharjah 2026 Report.
And between Invest in Sharjah and the Financial Times (FT), to advance sectoral analysis and market-entry strategies supporting investors.
The final panel, Sharjah’s Research Economy, moderated by Syed Bukhari, Head of Visibility at AUS, featured Dr Steven Griffiths, Vice Chancellor for Research at AUS, Mishal Tassadaq, Head of Strategy at Sheraa, Dr Fareed Alameeri, Chief Strategy Officer at SPARK, They discussed how Sharjah’s universities and innovation hubs are transforming research into economic opportunity, underscoring the emirate’s collaborative approach between academia, government, and industry to advance innovation-led growth.
Closing the event, Dr Salah Brahimi, Vice Chancellor for External Relations at AUS, highlighted the significance of international partnerships in achieving Sharjah’s vision for a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy.
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