Dubai, August 19 (WAM) - The American University in the UAE (AUEU) and the Emirates Association for Entrepreneurship signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing cooperation in the fields of entrepreneurship and innovation, supporting start-ups, and developing the capabilities of students and entrepreneurs, thereby contributing to the advancement of innovation and the knowledge-based economy in the United Arab Emirates.

This partnership reflects the commitment of both parties to building stronger bridges between the higher education sector, business, and the entrepreneurial community, while working on transforming academic knowledge into opportunities, projects, and initiatives that achieve tangible economic and societal impact.

The areas of cooperation include developing joint initiatives and programs in business incubators and accelerators, executive training and education, mentoring and guidance, events and forums, hackathons, innovation, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, as well as enhancing communication and collaboration with investors and private sector institutions.

The partnership provides valuable opportunities for students at AUEU to participate in entrepreneurship programs, applied projects, practical training, and the development of innovative ideas into scalable projects. Additionally, both parties are committed to exploring funding, sponsorship, and strategic partnership opportunities to support entrepreneurial initiatives.

“We do not view entrepreneurship as just a field for training or starting projects, but rather as a culture and mindset that enables young people to turn ideas and challenges into opportunities, solutions, and real economic and societal value,” said Dr. Mithna J. Abdul Razzaq, President and CEO of the American University in the Emirates.

“Our partnership with the UAE Association for Entrepreneurship is a strategic step towards strengthening the connection between academic knowledge, practical experience, and the needs of the future economy. Through this collaboration, we aim to empower our students and entrepreneurs to innovate, experiment, and lead, while leveraging emerging technologies and artificial intelligence to develop initiatives and projects that are competitive, scalable, and have a tangible impact,” he added.

For his part, Jassem Al Shakhur, Secretary-General of the UAE Association for Entrepreneurship, said: “We are proud of this partnership with the American University in the Emirates, which is an important addition to the association’s efforts to support and empower entrepreneurs and enhance the innovation ecosystem in the United Arab Emirates. We look forward to developing joint initiatives and programs that combine academic expertise with the needs of the entrepreneurship community, while creating new opportunities for students and entrepreneurs to learn, network, and grow, thereby supporting the national economy and enhancing the competitiveness of Emirati companies.”