Sharjah: The University of Sharjah (UOS) held the second technical exchange meeting with the Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC) to present the progress and key findings of joint research projects funded by the corporation under the SNOC Professorial Chair, established through a partnership agreement between the two institutions. Professor Dr. Issam Al-Din Ibrahim Ajami, Chancellor of UOS, welcomed the attendees, emphasizing that this collaboration is rooted in the strategic vision of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, President of UOS, and President of SNOC.
According to Emirates News Agency, the leadership of both institutions has established an integrated ecosystem that bridges academia and industry, positioning research as a key contributor to development sectors in the Emirate of Sharjah. The University of Sharjah's partnerships with vital sectors are an extension of its mission to serve the community and strengthen research to address real-world challenges, particularly in the fields of energy and sustainability, which have become priorities on the national agenda.
The Chancellor further noted that the integration of the University's research infrastructure with SNOC's capabilities and expertise creates an environment that fosters impactful applied knowledge with measurable outcomes. He affirmed that the University is committed to advancing this approach through investment in joint research programs and building national capacities that contribute to achieving sustainable growth aligned with the aspirations of the next phase.
Hatem Al Mosa, Secretary-General of the Sharjah Energy Council, commented on the importance of energy and water security, stating that diversifying supply sources and advancing sustainable alternatives is necessary. He emphasized the importance of continued investment in research and the development of national capacities to drive innovation and progress.
During the meeting, researchers presented key findings from seven research projects. These projects focused on developing solar cells with enhanced efficiency and stability, creating a smart digital twin bifacial agrivoltaics system for optimizing crop yield and quality, and implementing an integrated water management and flood mitigation system using various technologies.
Additionally, a project titled "AI-Enhanced Oil-Water Separation Using Nano CO2 Bubbles and Ceramic Membranes: A Sustainable and Efficient Approach" was presented, along with research on utilizing oil and gas wells for gravitational energy storage systems.
The meeting was attended by Prof. Maamar Bettayeb, Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies; Masoud Al Hamadi, Executive Director of Upstream at SNOC; several faculty members, researchers, and a panel of experts from SNOC.