The Sharjah Oasis for Technology and Innovation (SOTI) affiliated with the University of Sharjah (UoS), held its first Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting at Space Park Leicester under the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom.The meeting began with a welcoming speech delivered by His Excellency Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah (UoS), who pointed to the importance of SOTI’s project in promoting applied researches which can be transformed into commercial projects that serve the community. His Excellency hailed the unlimited support of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah, and Founder of the University of Sharjah, who laid the foundation stone for SOTI and provided the necessary resources needed. His Excellency also expressed his appreciation to Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah, for his continuous follow-up and directives to SOTI project.

During the meeting, members of the BOT discussed SOTI’s strategy, where Prof. Kohl Holger, Director Corporate Management at Fraunhofer IPK, presented Fraunhofer Project Progress Report, while Prof. Maamar Bettayeb, Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies discussed SOTI Research Priorities.

The President of the University of Leicester welcomed members of the SOTI Board of Trustees, and briefed them about the university, its various programs and scientific research conducted in many fields, including the field of science, engineering and space. The delegation ended the first day of the meeting with a tour at Space Park Leicester of the University of Leicester, in which Prof. Martin Barstow, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Space Park Leicester and Member of the SOTI Board of Trustees, briefed the delegation on various facilities and laboratories at the institute, cooperating companies, and advanced devices included.

The UoS delegation included members of the SOTI BOT consisting of Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, Prof. Kamal Youcef-Toumi, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Co-Director of the Center for Clean Water and Clean Energy at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, Dr. Mansour Bin Nassar, Head of Sharjah Government Legal Department and Professor of Administrative and Constitutional Law at the Sharjah Academy of Police Sciences, Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Private Education Authority, Mr. Mohammed Abdallah, Chief Executive Officer, Sharjah Islamic Bank, Eng. Omar Khalfan Heraimil Al Shamsi, Sharjah Oasis for Technology and Innovation Chief Executive Officer. The delegation also included vice-chancellors of UoS, namely Prof. Maamar Bettayeb, Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies, Prof. Qutayba Hamid, Vice Chancellor for Medical Colleges and Health Sciences and Dean of College of Medicine, Dr. Salah Taher Al Haj, Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs, Dr. Gordon Handke, Vice Chancellor for Financial and Administrative Affairs.