CUD, Dubai Municipality boost collaboration

DUBAI: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Canadian University Dubai (CUD) and Dubai Municipality (DM) marking the launch of a collaboration to advance research and innovation in environment, health and safety.

The signing was carried out by CUD Chancellor, Buti Saeed Al Ghandi, President and Vice Chancellor, Professor Karim Chelli, and Acting CEO of the Environment, Health and Safety Agency at Dubai Municipality, Dr Naseem Abdulla on the sidelines of the 19th Dubai International Food Safety Conference.

The agreement aims to elevate research excellence, advance best practices in food safety, and drive high-impact knowledge exchange, while empowering youth and fostering community engagement across diverse segments of society.

Through research and technical consultation, the parties will work together to enhance intellectual property rights, promote innovation partnerships, and encourage a culture of learning, creativity, and knowledge sharing. This will include the integration of artificial intelligence and data-driven technologies to improve inspection efficiency, assess food-related risks, and predict potential vulnerabilities across complex supply chains.

The two entities will also jointly prepare and publish scientific studies and specialised research, contributing to global knowledge in the field.

Commenting on the partnership, Dr Aseel Takshe, Acting Dean of the School of Health Sciences and Psychology at CUD, said, “We are proud to collaborate with Dubai Municipality to integrate academic research with real-world application. This MoU creates new opportunities for joint research and impactful learning experiences, through which our faculty and students will contribute to innovative solutions in food safety. Together we will empower the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of safe and sustainable practices in the food industry.”

On this occasion, Dr Naseem Mohammed Rafee, Acting CEO of the Environment, Health and Safety Agency at Dubai Municipality, said: “Through this partnership, Dubai Municipality strengthens its commitment to advancing pioneering, science-based systems that safeguard public health and enhance the sustainability of our food ecosystem. By integrating academic research with real-world municipal priorities, we are creating a framework that supports innovation, develops national talent, and reinforces Dubai’s position as a global leader in future-ready health and safety practices.”

This collaboration enables us to jointly develop solutions that elevate food safety standards, promote proactive risk management, and ensure a high quality of life for all members of our community.”