AUS, ECCF sign MoU to fortify academia and industry partnership

The agreement was signed on 30 October 2025 by Dr Tod A. Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, and Rushdi Saqqa, Managing Director and Partner of Emirates Calcium Carbonate Factory, during a ceremony attended by senior officials from both institutions.

Strengthening research and innovation in advanced materials

The collaboration aims to connect academic research with industrial application by advancing joint research projects in calcium carbonate technologies and advanced materials. AUS and ECCF will collaborate through the AUS Materials Research Centre and participate in scientific symposia and conferences focused on materials science and engineering to promote knowledge exchange and innovation.

Chancellor Dr Laursen highlighted AUS’s commitment to connecting academic excellence with the country's industrial growth, stating: “In partnership with Emirates Calcium Carbonate Factory, we are expanding research opportunities, empowering our students through valuable industry experiences, and strengthening national capabilities in advanced materials and manufacturing. Projects like this ensure our students and researchers contribute directly to the UAE’s knowledge economy and industrial development.”

Industry-driven education and student empowerment

The partnership improves the AUS student learning experience by incorporating real industrial challenges into academic courses and final year projects. It also creates opportunities for site visits to ECCF facilities, guest lectures by ECCF specialists, and collaborative technical seminars and mentoring sessions.

Under the MoU, students will undertake structured internships aligned with ECCF’s operations, preparing them for careers in engineering, materials science, and industrial innovation. The agreement also encourages collaboration in the recruitment of AUS graduates, ensuring alignment between academic training and market demands.

Building talent and sustainable growth

Rushdi Saqqa, Managing Director and Partner of ECCF, said: “This partnership ensures innovation moves beyond the lab and into genuine industrial impact. By working with AUS, we’re supporting the UAE’s vision, advancing materials science, and investing in local talent to build a resilient, knowledge-driven, and globally competitive manufacturing sector.”

Additionally, AUS will develop customised professional education programmes for ECCF engineers and executives, providing specialised modules in technical skills, leadership, and lifelong learning to enhance workforce capabilities.

Through such strategic collaborations, AUS reinforces its role as a hub for applied research, talent development, and industry partnership, contributing to the UAE’s national agenda for sustainability and innovation.