NYUAD sets up research centres for work on climate change and AI
New York University Abu Dhabi has established four new research centres as part of plans to tackle climate change and advance artificial intelligence.
The university’s Research Institute will help to drive efforts to turn it into a centre of “development and innovation” in the Emirates.
NYUAD said it aimed to support efforts to provide solutions to pressing global challenges.
The four centres are the Arabian Centre for Climate and Environmental Sciences (Access), the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (Cair), the Centre for Smart Engineering Materials (CSEM), and the Centre for Quantum and Topological Systems (CQTS).
“As a global liberal arts and research university in and of Abu Dhabi, the drive to address global challenges serves as the guiding force in our mission to be a hub of development, innovation, engagement and positive change for the UAE, the region and the world,” said Arlie Petters, provost of NYUAD.
Establishing the new research centres is “a meaningful addition to our existing efforts to contribute to the development of a diversified knowledge economy and society in Abu Dhabi”, he said.
The move will also help to advance the university’s global ambitions and “carve a new model for higher education for the betterment of humanity”, he said.
Mr Petters said NYUAD was proud of “scholars and students who remain dedicated to driving discoveries that are making a positive change to the world”.
The Access site will focus on the region’s climate and its broad remit will include research on rain, coral reefs and urban environments.
The centre will collaborate with government agencies and its scientists will be part of the Climate Change Research Network.
Cair was set up by staff from the university’s electrical and computer engineering, psychology and computer science departments.
The centre will be used to conduct fundamental research and develop applications in AI and robotics. Its work includes investigating movement sensors for robots, autonomous decision-making and robotic safety and resilience. CSEM, meanwhile, will provide a platform for partnerships between science and engineering departments.
The centre will be used to explore how smart devices can help to improve efficiency in industry, such as in the oil and gas and civil engineering sectors.
CQTS will bring together experts in the theory and application of quantum topological systems, with an emphasis on quantum computers, taking in machine learning and quantum cryptography.
“As a world-class hub for cutting-edge research, we are very proud to be adding these four new centres to our Research Institute, all of which will address various and critical areas of research,” said Sehamuddin Galadari, managing director of the institute.
“We are committed to contributing to the UAE’s vision of becoming a knowledge-based economy through science and innovation, and we are confident that the addition of the centres will help fulfil this goal even further.”