Innovation Arabia 8 features 188 research papers, and 38 presentations from 40 countries

Event explores innovative solutions in quality and business management, health and environment, smart learning, and Islamic finance

  [UAE, February 17, 2015] – The Innovation Arabia 8 (IA8) Conference being organized by Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) under the theme ‘Innovate, Collaborate and Differentiate: Honoring the Past, Treasuring the Present, and Shaping the Future’ has lined up top-notch keynote speakers – including regional and international experts, academics and scholars – to discuss effective solutions for maximizing economic opportunities and promising human resources to drive sustainable socio-economic growth across the Arab World. IA8 explores promising research potentials by providing a platform for Masters and Doctoral Degree holders from 37 countries to present a total of 188 research papers and 38 presentations on key issues related to the four topics of the conference before a high-profile international audience. The event will feature 75 research papers and 5 presentations on ‘Smart Learning Excellence’ by participants from 22 countries; 57 research papers and 13 presentations on ‘Quality and Business Management’ from 21 countries; 26 research papers and 18 presentations on ‘Health and the Environment’ from 16 countries; and 30 research papers and 2 presentations from 13 countries on ‘Islamic Banking and Finance’. An elite group of international keynote speakers once again took part in today’s IA8 discussions, headed by Dr. Rudolf Strohmeier, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, who discussed ‘Drivers for Sustainable Innovation Ecosystems.’ Dr. Strohmeier is one of the world’s well-known experts on international research and studies aimed at enriching knowledge and spreading the culture of innovation. H.E. Hussain Al-Qemzi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Noor Investment Group LLC and Chief Executive Officer of Noor Bank PJSC, UAE, talked about how ‘Innovation is Key to a Sustainable and Competitive Advantage for the Future of Islamic banking.’ Two panel discussions were also featured on Day 2 of the conference. The first was on ‘The future of Islamic Banking - Is it a Sustainable Business Model for banks?’ moderated by Professor Nabil Baydoun, Vise Chancellor for Enterprise and University Advancement at HBMSU and President of the IA8 Conference. ‘Excellence and Innovation in Management Education for Emerging Economies’ was the main focus of the Global Business School Network Panel Discussion headed by Professor Khaled Sartawi, Dean of the School of Business & Quality Management at HBMSU. The third and final day of the Conference will feature an UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (IITE) Panel discussion titled ‘New Partnerships and New Business Models to Scale Up Learning in a Fast Changing Environment’ to be moderated by Professor Abtar Darshan Singh, Dean of the School of e-Education, Learning and Academic Development division at HBMSU. The second panel discussion of the day will be on ‘Dubai Medical Tourism and Improving the Quality and Efficiency of Healthcare Delivery in UAE’ headed by Professor Adi Arida, Dean of the School of Health and Environmental Studies, Academic affairs Division at HBMSU. Day 3 will also feature two keynotes: the first will discuss ‘Voyage to Excellence: Unleashing Innovation and Transformative Learning in Networked Futures’ by Dr. Alan Bruce, Vice-President of the European Distance and e-learning Network and CEO and Director of Universal Learning Systems, while the second will be delivered by Eng. Sobhi Batterjee, Founder and President and CEO of Saudi German Hospitals Group, who will talk about ‘Leveraging Information Technology in the Healthcare Industry’. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMSU, emphasized the importance of the topics being addressed at the IA8 Conference which serves as an ideal platform for discussing how to drive innovation and creativity with the goal of establishing integrated knowledge-based economies in the Arab World. Al Awar explained that the high number of prominent regional and international participants at the event reflects HBMSU’s stature as a key centre for excellence in spreading the culture of innovation, creativity and high quality in the Arab region. Al Awar concluded: “The IA8 Conference has made a positive impact on encouraging international cooperation in coming up with innovative ideas to help build a better future for the coming generations. This complements the objectives of the Dubai Innovation Partners initiative launched by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of HBMSU. We are committed to supporting the latest creative solutions for Quality and Business Management, Health and the Environment, Smart Learning, and Islamic Banking and Finance as part of our ongoing quest to drive comprehensive growth in the UAE and across the region.”