Photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Imran Mojib, Special Correspondent

Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTI Park), the UAE’s premier research and innovation hub, will organise on Sept.22, the first edition of the MENA Innovation Technology Transfer Summit (MITT Summit), a marathon hybrid summit spanning 14 hours of discussions on innovation, technology transfer and sustainability.

With over 50 international speakers, 5,000 participants from 100 countries, the Summit will bring together government and private sector representatives, experts, entrepreneurs, academics, and other relevant stakeholders for an immersive experience of knowledge sharing, business showcasing and networking.

MITT Summit is being held under the patronage of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, in partnership with Women in Tech (Global Movement) MTL connect (Canada) and PauseFest (Australia).

The Summit will start at 10am (UAE time) on Sept.22 to enable representatives from all major time zones to participate during this 14-hour long marathon conference.

CEO of SRTI Park Hussain Al Mahmoudi remarked, “MITT Summit is a historic summit not only because it’s a marathon hybrid summit but it is an international platform that convenes the private sector, government and academia to co-innovate and co-create new business opportunities, new ventures and new technologies.

“MITT Summit is in line with the vision that anticipates the future being advocated by the Ruler of Sharjah.

The Middle East is becoming the world’s fastest-growing marketplace for business and technology transformation,” said Al Mahmoudi.

Al Mahmoudi noted that the MITT Summit will help participants build a diverse network of contacts, create synergies and opportunities, and gain access to key players in the regional and international research, development and innovation ecosystem.

“We are laying the ground for companies to elevate their brand and discover investment opportunities as they learn from international best practices and connect with different actors of the regional and global economy,” Al Mahmoudi underlined.

MITT Summit will have an extensive programme and thematic panel discussion covering science and technology, business opportunities, digital transformation, research and innovation, and innovative solutions.

Among the many topics are how to future-proof one of the world’s important natural resources, which is water; the future of transportation, future of space and how humans can some day colonise the Red Planet, solving the global disparity in access to technology, building smart cities and how to take the best parts of technology and innovation to build a sustainable global community.

Panellists will discuss why equal access to the internet is the key to the prosperity of generations to come, and what actions should be taken to considerably narrow the digital divide.

More experts will talk about building smart cities and discuss how to take the best parts of technology and innovation to build a sustainable global community.

Following the summit is the first-ever MENA Innovation Technology Transfer Summit Awards that will recognise and celebrate excellence and leadership in Innovation and Technology under three categories: MITTS Global Award, MENA’s Rising Star and Women in Tech MENA Award.

MITT Summit Global Award will recognise organisations, start-ups, enterprise, non-profit companies that promote innovation technology and create a positive impact in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Winners will receive prizes that include grants, accelerator programmes and business residency at the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park.