The Ministry of Education has announced that it has entered into agreements with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Bayanat, aimed at bolstering sustainable scientific and research initiatives and includes the introduction of a grant for collaborative research programmes throughout 2024.
These agreements are set to last three years and were signed by His Excellency Dr. Mohammad Al Mualla, Undersecretary for Higher Education Academic Affairs at the Ministry of Education, His Excellency Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE), and Hasan Ahmed Al Hosani, Managing Director of Bayanat.
Further, the two agreements aim to acquire services related to the administration of collaborative research grants. This encompasses the entire grant management process, from conceptualisation to research proposal evaluation and selection of grant recipients.
Under the two agreements, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Bayanat will jointly fund the research grant in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
Each party will contribute AED 2,250,000, covering 50% of the grant’s funding over the next three years.
The objective of the agreement between the Ministry of Education and Bayanat is to achieve “scientific excellence” in alignment with the UAE’s strategic priorities.
Bayanat shared that it is also interested in benefiting from the Collaborative Research Program Grant (CRPG), which is scheduled for launch in 2024 by the Ministry to enhance the research landscape and engage higher education institutions.
According to the agreement, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Bayanat commit to providing the Ministry of Education with all the information needed to establish the required research grant, including research interests, financing proposals, and dedicated work teams.
The Ministry of Education, represented by the Department of Science, Technology, and Scientific Research, will oversee the management of the research grant, to ensure the allocation of essential funding and resources to licensed UAE-based higher education institutions.
The goal is to motivate researchers to address pressing scientific issues and contribute to the nation’s commitment to sustainability.
His Excellency Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE), said: “Achieving these goals requires advanced research capabilities that help in finding solutions to the challenges facing the UAE in many vital sectors and fulfil our ambition to launch initiatives to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change. Our cooperation with the Ministry of Education represents an important step in this field. With its outstanding research capabilities, the Ministry of Education can enable researchers and academicians in the UAE to work in specific areas that will be the Ministry’s focus in the coming years.”
Adding: “The signing of the agreement during COP28 goes to show our commitment to partnership and cooperation with other stakeholders in the country and abroad. COP28 is an important step for the UAE to enhance its climate action path through joint work and in collaboration with different parties for a sustainable future for all.”
Hasan Ahmed Al Hosani commented: “Bayanat is proud to participate in such ambitious initiatives that foster collaboration between national institutions and the private sector, working towards the achievement of the country’s objectives in forging sustainable development trajectories and enhancing our national capabilities. We are committed to investing in the future and supporting critical research challenges aligned with the zero-emission strategy. Our aim is to be a vital contributor in building a promising and sustainable future for our beloved nation.”