Khalifa University of Science and Technology, in collaboration with the Institute of Energy Economics Japan (IEEJ), has hosted the 2026 UAE-Japan Industry-Academia Collaboration Steering Board meeting in Abu Dhabi.
The meeting reinforced the growing strategic partnership between the UAE and Japan in science, technology, and innovation, underscoring their shared commitment to advancing research excellence and sustainable development.
Professor Ebrahim Al Hajri, President of Khalifa University, welcomed the Japanese delegation, which included Dr. Tatsuya Terazawa, Chairman and CEO of IEEJ, Tokuya Kanamori, Managing Director of the Japan International Cooperation Centre (JICE) in Abu Dhabi, and Dr. Atsushi Yamashita, Professor in the Department of Human and Engineered Environmental Studies at the University of Tokyo.
The delegation also comprised Dr. Shinya Ohtsuka, Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Kyushu Institute of Technology, and Shiro Murakawa, Senior Director of the Civil Engineering Group at Nikken Sekkei Ltd. and Executive Officer of the Marine Inverse Dam Association.
The meeting was co-chaired by Professor Samuel Mao, Director of the ASPIRE Research Institute of Sustainability at Khalifa University, and Dr. Yukari Yamashita, Managing Director of IEEJ. Dr. Ashraf Al Najdawi, Vice-President for External Relations and Chief of Staff at Khalifa University, along with several faculty members, also attended the meeting.
The Board agreed to organize a bilateral research workshop and initiate a student exchange program for 2026.
HE Prof. Ebrahim Al Hajri President – Khalifa University
“Our partnership with Japan reflects Khalifa University’s commitment to driving high-impact research that supports the UAE’s long-term innovation agenda. By bringing together leading researchers, industry partners, and policymakers from both countries, we are strengthening a collaborative ecosystem that accelerates scientific discovery and delivers real-world solutions.”
Research teams from Khalifa University and partner institutions in Japan reported strong progress in key strategic areas, including joint developments in robotics and notable collaborative achievements in power engineering. Discussions also focused on expanding high-impact interdisciplinary research, increasing joint grant proposals, enhancing researcher and student mobility, and strengthening mechanisms for sustained knowledge exchange.
The Steering Board meeting underscored the deepening cooperation under the Japan–UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Initiative (CSPI), with expanded joint research programs, expert exchanges, and knowledge-sharing activities aligned with national priorities in both countries.
