"Community forum" The American University of Sharjah concludes agreements and exchanges knowledge at the University of Cambridge

Sharjah, 16 October / WAM / The American University of Sharjah launched the second leg of its “Community Forum” initiative through an intensive program at the University of Cambridge that brought together delegations from the university, the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center “Sheraa”, the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, and the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority “Shurooq”, in the presence of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the American University of Sharjah.

The program allowed delegations to immerse themselves in the Cambridge research and innovation system, enhanced knowledge exchange, and culminated in the signing of a new memorandum of understanding that consolidates international partnerships and expands the horizons of cooperation between the Emirate of Sharjah and the Cambridge system.

Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi said: This cooperation is an extension of the Emirate of Sharjah’s long-term commitment to learning, innovation and partnership. By linking the American University of Sharjah to the University of Cambridge and its broader network, we deepen knowledge exchange opportunities and enable our students, researchers and entrepreneurs to think globally while remaining rooted in the values ​​that distinguish our Emirate.

The “Community Forum” initiative was launched in September 2025 to be a systematic platform for international engagement with academic and research institutions around the world and to build sustainable cooperation through dialogue, knowledge exchange, and applied learning opportunities for the benefit of the university’s students, faculty members, and the broader community. The Cambridge Program represents a strategic step to link the American University of Sharjah with global innovation networks and consolidate Sharjah’s presence. As a hub of knowledge and entrepreneurship.

Over three days, the delegation was briefed on the research and innovation system in Cambridge. The visit began at Cambridge Enterprise, where methods and models for marketing research outputs and transforming them into economic and societal impact were discussed. Then, it continued at the Cambridge Science Park and the Bradfield Centre, where emerging companies meet with researchers and investors to find partnerships and ways of cooperation. The track concluded at the Baperham Research Campus, known for its leadership in life sciences and deep technology projects.

The sessions at the Judge Business School addressed the impact of scientific research, entrepreneurship, and systems development. Dr. Jim Glasheen, CEO of Cambridge Enterprise, welcomed Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, the university’s Board of Trustees, and the leadership delegation. The Chancellor of the American University of Sharjah, Dr. Todd Laursen, gave an opening speech, followed by an introductory presentation of the “Community Forum” initiative from the Vice Chancellor for External Relations, Dr. Saleh Ebrahimi was followed by an intervention from Her Excellency Sarah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Executive Director of Sheraa, and Professor Dr. Lucia Reich, Director of the El-Erian Institute for Behavioral Economics and Policy, presented a keynote session on “Behavioral Guidance” and reducing food waste.

Dr. Todd Laursen said: “The University of Cambridge and its centers embody the methods of aligning research, innovation, and entrepreneurship to achieve impactful results. This particular visit provided the American University of Sharjah and the growing Sharjah ecosystem with the opportunity to exchange visions, explore new partnerships, and connect our ambitions to global networks. The ‘Community Forum’ initiative is designed to ensure that these meetings are translated into collaborations that enhance the role of The Emirate of Sharjah as a hub of knowledge and innovation.

Caroline Hyde, head of initiatives to develop the innovative environment and partnerships at Cambridge Enterprise, said: “Cambridge Enterprise plays an essential role in supporting the innovation system at the University of Cambridge by linking academic research to success in the market. It invests in the early stages of developing ideas, funds projects to test the feasibility of innovations, and provides support to entrepreneurs through programs that benefit the alumni network.” The university around the world is also working to build an environment that supports innovation and achieve global impact. The role of Cambridge Enterprise is not limited to commercializing research, but rather contributes to building an innovative system that is recognized globally.

The delegation attended a dinner evening at the Fitzwilliam Museum, hosted by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, and with the participation of Dr. Hayat Sindi, a prominent scholar and colleague at the University of Cambridge and ranked the ninth most influential Arab woman in the world, along with leaders and professors from Cambridge colleges, as well as Lord Grimthorpe, Lord Deputy Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, reflecting the spirit of academic and cultural exchange that Overwhelmed by the visit.

The visit program culminated in the signing of agreements in the presence of Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, where the American University of Sharjah and Cambridge University Press signed a memorandum of understanding aiming to enhance English language teaching and academic publishing and raise the efficiency of educational systems. Areas of cooperation include exploring the preparation of curricula and learning materials that take into account the cultural context, training programs for professors and policy makers, as well as joint initiatives to advance education. Arabic language.

The cooperation extends to include advisory services in education policies, monitoring and evaluation systems, and the integration of digital pedagogy supported by artificial intelligence. In light of the memorandum of understanding, the American University of Sharjah is examining opportunities for joint publishing scientific works and journals, joining editorial boards and scientific arbitration networks, hosting joint academic conferences, and piloting new digital educational resources from Cambridge within the university’s classrooms.

Jane Mann, General Manager of the Partnership for Education at Cambridge University Press, said: “The partnership is essential to shaping the future of education. By linking the American University of Sharjah and the innovation system in the Emirate of Sharjah with Cambridge’s expertise in research and education transformation, we are working to create opportunities for practical cooperation that enhances policies and teaching and learning processes.”

With the completion of the sessions, workshops, and agreements, the American University of Sharjah and its partners in Cambridge are moving to implement the signed programs, develop experimental initiatives, and expand knowledge exchange in a way that enhances the university’s role as a regional hub for innovation and academic excellence.

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