Top Sharjah universities tackle real-world challenges via SRTIP

Faculty members and students in select colleges of two top 500 globally-ranked universities in Sharjah now have more opportunities to help solve problems by way of applied research.

This is so as through the three helix approach of the 2016-established Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), the American University of Sharjah (AUS) and University of Sharjah (UoS) – both founded in 1997 by His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, with the National Paints (NP), also based in Sharjah, sealed a “Quadripartite Three-Year Master Research Agreement.” Signatories are SRTIP chief executive officer (CEO) Hussain Al Mahmoudi, AUS chancellor Dr. Tod Laursen, UoS chancellor Dr. Issam Al Din Ibrahim Ajami, and NP managing director Samer Salim Al Sayegh.

University City-located AUS and UoS, are 272nd and 328th respectively, out of 1,500 universities of 105 higher educational systems worldwide, according to the “Quacquarelli World University Ranking 2026.” Inter-generational NP set up its Sharjah plant and research and development (R&D) facilities eight years after it was homegrown-ed in Jordan in 1969. At the periodic SRTIP-organised “Business Breakfast” on Sept.9, presented as well are the capabilities of the AUS-College of Engineering and Research Institute of Science and Engineering and the UoS Centre for Advanced Materials and Research.

Interviewed, SRTIP-Innovation and Research Ecosystem director Nicola Bettio gave an overview of the “binding agreement” whereby the three parties, “as coordinated by the SRTIP, have agreed to do all collaborative research on coating technologies.”

From the meetings prior to the signing ceremony, three “areas of interest” were identified while the number of projects may increase throughout 2025 to 2028. First on the “areas of interest” is the discovery of “new technologies on new coatings” for the reduction of asphalt temperatures during summer “especially in urban areas, like in the UAE where asphalt temperatures shoot up to extremes; “very bad for the environment.” Second is the improvement on the efficiency of the “back of solar panels,” a renewable energy resource.

“Another is a novel research. The discovery of new paints and new coatings to be used in desalination plants, in order to reduce corrosion and scaling inside plants that will reduce the cost of water and the cost of building desalination plants,” added Bettio.

Replying that even as NP has its own R&D team and laboratory, “it would work together with AUS and UoS.”

“This collaborative research agreement will let both the students and the faculty members solve real industry problems and not theoretical problems. Focus is more on the generation of products and services that have immediate impact on man. Impact on research that matters. Impact in terms of entrepreneurship. Impact on a country’s gross domestic product and gross national product. Impact on employment,” said Bettio, explaining that this is the “third revolution” in the phases of the academe; which, originally was to “generate knowledge” until it shifted to addressing “employability, creating graduates that will find jobs.”

He stressed: “What this agreement will do is inspire a new generation of scientists for what are more important to industries and societies; beneficial to all.”

From the signing ceremony, Al Mahmoudi cited that through the SRTIP foundation, the “culture of innovation” has been pursued relentlessly: “This historic agreement marks a milestone in our journey to cement Sharjah’s position as a regional and global hub for industrial innovation.”

Laursen “seconded” the culture of innovation mindset in Sharjah: “This is one of the things I really value being here in Sharjah. Within the AUS is our opportunity to develop an innovation culture that is going to be highly collaborative.”

Ajami and Al Sayegh expressed gratitude to be part of the quadripartite agreement which results in practical solutions to challenges, by way of bridging the gap between theory and practice through co-developing projects.

“Pleased to witness the milestone” was AUS alumna/Coucou International Entertainment & Gahwa Time CEO/AYA Animations founder-executive producer Sara Awaf: “The agreement enables students and professors to innovate and experiment alongside companies on the ground, empowering a generation of creators and changemakers.”