Sarah bin Yousef Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Sciences, has said that the UAE considers scientific and technological advancement as a key driver for future development. The foundations have been established for research-driven institutions to spur a nation-wide technological revolution, she added.

An accomplished young engineer herself, Al Amiri praised the leadership of the UAE for its vision in the science and technology sector, being developed under the guidance of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and the follow up of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Sara Al Amiri’s remarks came during a ‘Meet the CEO’ event organised by the Government of Dubai Media Office, GDMO. 'Meet the CEO' is a regular series of press events organised by GDMO for leaders of prominent organisations in the UAE, with both local and international media attending the event.

Noora Al Abbar, Director of Strategic Media Affairs at GDMO, welcomed the Minister to the ‘Meet the CEO’ event. The creation of the new ministerial position reflects the importance given by the country to advanced sciences, she said. The leadership believes that the next phase of the UAE’s development journey should be based on a strong scientific foundation to achieve rapid and meaningful progress across various sectors. "The objective of this session was to gain a deeper understanding of the UAE’s strategy for science and technology development that seeks to activate a stronger role for advanced sciences in our national growth and development, and the effort to enhance the happiness of the people - top priorities for the UAE government."

Al Amiri said that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed's message to both current and aspiring scientists is to take on future challenges to catalyse growth in key sectors in the UAE including aviation, logistics, and tourism. "Growth and sustainable development based on technological advancements is the way forward," she added.

She highlighted Sheikh Mohammed’s call to scientists to develop innovative solutions in the areas of food and water security, information technology, and renewable energy. ‘For example, pioneering initiatives and scientific research pave the way for the UAE to become a world leader in the areas of quality of life and healthcare," Al Amiri continued.

Speaking on the role of advanced sciences in sustainable development, Al Amiri highlighted initiatives and projects launched under the UAE’s scientific strategy outlined in the UAE Vision 2021 and UAE Centennial 2071. The minister when on to say, "Such initiatives include the launch of the Mohammed bin Rashid Academy of Scientists, which represents a platform for the science community in the UAE. The Academy brings together a selection of scientists and experts to foresee the future of science and technology."

The Minister of State for Advanced Sciences also said that the coming three years will see the launch of a number of initiatives in the scientific research field. "We will witness the introduction of ‘scientific diplomacy’ that will see enhanced cooperation between the UAE and international research institutions. We are also working on an initiative to attract talent to work on solutions to improve the quality of life and services to the community," she explained, underscoring the importance of the new visa system that eases visa requirements for scientists.

"The Ministry of Education also plans to establish a research fund to cater to universities across the country. This will play an important role in encouraging talented students to tackle challenges and come up with solutions,’ she added. ‘In the long run, this will constitute the core of a new drive for research-based development," she added.

Al Amiri also stressed the importance of the private sector in supporting the growth of scientific research. She called for the launch of initiatives that boost partnerships between scientific research institutions and the private sector and highlighted the importance of developing the sciences curricula as part of investing in future generations.

Al Amiri said that the first 100-day plan of the Ministry of State for Advanced Sciences focuses on the creation of an environment that can catalyse the development of the knowledge-based economy, enhance productivity and competitiveness, and increase national funding for scientific research.