Mohamed Bin Zayed University And Nahdlatul Ulama University Collaborate On Scientific Forum For Future Studies

The Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities recently hosted the "Scientific Forum for Programme Development" in collaboration with Nahdlatul Ulama University in Indonesia. This initiative is a strategic move towards establishing the Mohamed Bin Zayed College of Future Studies (MBZ CFS) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The college is a result of a partnership between the UAE and Indonesian governments.

Yogyakarta was selected for its esteemed academic reputation, reflecting the shared vision of both nations. The forum, spanning two days, resulted in improved coordination between joint scientific committees, facilitating knowledge exchange and experience sharing. Discussions also focused on future plans for the college's operational framework, aligning academic and administrative bodies.

The Mohamed Bin Zayed College of Future Studies aims to become a leading institution by integrating Islamic values with advanced future studies. The first academic cohort will begin in 2026. Dr. Khalifa Al Dhaheri, Chancellor of Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, stated that the forum marks a significant step toward aligning programmes with industry needs and societal requirements.

Dr. Al Dhaheri praised the collaboration between international committees as crucial for achieving this ambitious project. He highlighted the strategic partnership between the UAE and Indonesia as a model for successful international cooperation. This partnership aims to deliver innovative education supporting sustainable development and preparing professionals for future challenges.

The college's academic programmes will cover essential fields such as Artificial Intelligence, digital economy, sustainable innovation, Islamic jurisprudence, and contemporary ijtihad. It seeks to produce leaders capable of developing solutions to humanity's biggest challenges. In its initial phase, six specialised master's programmes will be offered to empower students with necessary skills.

These postgraduate courses include Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Digital Business Management, Food Engineering and Technology, Global Innovation and Future Studies, Sustainable Critical Infrastructure, and Humanities and Social Sciences. The focus is on equipping students with practical knowledge to tackle contemporary global issues effectively.

Workshops and Collaborative Efforts

During the forum's sidelines, meetings and workshops were held between international committees from both universities. These sessions focused on exchanging scientific expertise and reviewing project developments like curriculum development, digital system requirements analysis, and implementing high academic quality standards.

Research projects aimed at enhancing the college's leadership in future studies were also discussed. The goal is to transform it into a global centre for innovation. Dr. Al Dhaheri described the college as a platform for exchanging ideas to address pressing global challenges.

This initiative enhances both UAE's and Indonesia's status as leaders in innovation and academic excellence on an international scale.

With inputs from WAM