Innovation Multiplied With Sheraa and Ajman University Collaboration

Broadening its reach and delivering valuable guidance to those with young ideas in the region, Ajman University (AU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sheraa (Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center). The purpose of the MoU is to support activities that help bridge research and education with industry. Through the Ajman University Innovation Centre (AUIC) this collaboration will also help students, educators, experts and companies identify real world problems and develop sustainable solutions.

The strategic alliance will help accelerate scientific research, pave way for professional internships, boost technical cooperation, all amongst workshops, seminars and exhibitions.

“Providing resources that prove beneficial to support the successful exchange of academic materials, publications and other scientific information is one of the many roles Sheraa is excited to lead in this union,” states Najla Al Midfa, General Manager of Sheraa.  “Our goal is to help educate, enable and empower the young students of AU and all those involved to create opportunities for growth, discovery and fruitful partnerships,” adds Al Midfa.

The MoU also promotes employee exchange opportunities with the aim of sharing and furthering the scientific and technical knowledge of both parties.

Dr. Karim Seghir, Chancellor, Ajman University, said that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Sharjah Center for Entrepreneurship (SHERA) is in line with the University's strategy to forge strong relations with public and private sector institutions. He pointed out that the aim of establishing Ajman University Innovation Center (AUIC) is to transform innovative technologies and ideas into effective and sustainable startups, thus contributing to economic development, job creation and youth empowerment. In addition to developing scientific research in the field of entrepreneurship.

The collaborative initiative comes following the successful graduation of 10 startups from Sheraa’s Accelerator Program. The graduates hailed from various sectors including Food & Beverage (F&B), construction, art and CSR. Similar initiative at AUIC yielded over 20 start ups to benefit from monetary and industry expertise of the mentors who coached the ideas to reality. Students and public projects were incubated at AUIC over the course of 6 months to a year.

The MoU is proof of the imminent rise of Sheraa and AUIC as not just an incubator and accelerator, but also as a model and key entity in the business of turning dreams and ideas into reality.