In a significant move to bolster the UAE’s transition to a knowledge-based economy, Abu Dhabi University (ADU) recently collaborated with industry titans including IBM, Microsoft, and Huawei to host its AI & Software Engineering Innovation Day 5.0. The event, held at the university’s Al Ain Campus, underscored the critical role of academia in cultivating the specialized talent required to achieve the UAE’s Vision 2031 and diversify its economy beyond oil.
Bridging Academia With Industry Needs
Innovation Day 5.0 provided over 300 students with direct exposure to enterprise-level AI tools and software development practices, effectively bridging the gap between theoretical learning and real-world industry demands. The event featured nine keynote sessions with discussions on advanced topics like “Enterprise vs Hobby: AI Scale” and “Building Agentic Applications.” Through hands-on workshops and expert-led discussions, participants gained practical experience and valuable insights into the latest trends shaping the future of intelligent systems.
Fostering Enterprise-Level AI Solutions
A central feature of the day was the IBM watsonx Orchestrate Student Competition, which challenged students to develop and present innovative AI-driven solutions. The projects addressed critical industry challenges, ranging from automated workflow optimization and intelligent customer support to sustainable resource management and education technology. Alishan Moosavi, Brand Technical Specialist at IBM, commented, “This competition is more than just a contest; it is a hands-on opportunity for students to engage with enterprise-level AI and build the intelligent, agentic workflows that are shaping the future of business. We were excited to see the creative and impactful solutions the students developed.”
A Strategic Push For a Knowledge-Based Economy
The initiative directly supports the UAE’s national agenda to become a global leader in technology and innovation. Professor Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University, highlighted the economic imperative, stating, “Recent studies project that AI could add up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030… Our commitment through initiatives like Innovation Day 5.0 reflect our strategic role in cultivating local talent capable of leveraging AI to accelerate sustainable development.” Professor Adel Khelifi, Chair of Computer Science and Information Technology at ADU, added that the event is an opportunity for students “to translate classroom learning into real-world solutions, collaborate with industry leaders, and showcase their creativity on a global stage,” positioning them as future leaders in the AI-driven economy.
About Abu Dhabi University
Established in 2003, Abu Dhabi University (ADU) is a leading academic institution in the MENA region, with campuses in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Dubai. Serving over 9,000 students from more than 100 nationalities, ADU offers over 65 undergraduate and graduate programs across five colleges. It is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UAE and globally, recognized for its excellence in teaching, research quality, and graduate employability by prestigious rankings such as the Times Higher Education (THE) and QS World University Rankings. ADU is institutionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges’ Senior College and University Commission (WASC).
Source: Zawya
