Inaugural International Research Conference on Innovations in Information Technology opens in Dubai

The conference from October 4 to October 6 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Dubai, is organised by the UAE University and Dubai E-Government in concurrence with GITEX 2004. The event has attracted more than 50 eminent international scientists and IT experts, and is being sponsored by IBM, Gartner, Emirates Computers, Thuraya Satellite Systems, CISCO and Dell.

Shortly after inaugurating the conference, H.E. Dr. Hadef Bin Jouaan Al-Dhahiri, Vice Chancellor of UAE University, lauded the efforts of His Highness, Sheikh Zayed towards IT Research & Development, especially by making it as one of his top priorities, investment in education and Research & Development.

"This encouraged many local and international technology makers to consider the UAE as a primary hub of technology in the region",he said, and added that the enlightened vision of his Highness Sheikh Zayed had inspired His Highness, Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mubarak Al Nahayan, Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of UAE University to foster and nourish the use of information technology in all educational and research institutions.

He said that the conference will serve as a mediator and facilitator in bringing together researchers, developers, educators and practitioners to present ground-breaking research and debate key issues of common interests that cover state-of-the-art information technology, Research & Development.

Mr. Al-Dhahiri said that the conference aimed to promote the dissemination of conceptual research, as well as professional practices with a program that covers a wide range of information technology aspects, from foundations to application tools, and from hardware to software. IIT 2004 comprises a two-day international research conference plus an entire day of international workshops focused on current topics of interest to the IT community.

Delivering his keynote address titled "Technology for better lives", Mr. Patrick Toole, General Manager of IBM's Engineering and Technology Services Division said that he was inspired by the great vision coming out of the UAE and this region, and the numerous exciting initiatives now being implemented in the IT sector.

He definined innovation as a process that brought about vast economic and social benefits through creation of job opportunities. Paying tribute to the UAE University for its work to promote research and innovation, Mr. Toole said that it was collaboration that generated unique concepts and ideas .

Bearing ample testimony to this fact is the "Smart Box" the world's first car safety device being developed by the UAE University and IBM Middle East with the aim of addressing the increasing incidence of traffic accidents in the UAE,. The prototype of the device was unveiled at GITEX 2004. It can send alerts to the driver via voice technology whenever the vehicle is passing the speed limit of a particular street.

Mr. Toole said that he was hopeful of a fruitful partnership between IBM and the UAE University in the field of Research & Development.

Other speakers at the event include Dr. Krishna Nathan, Vice President of IBM Services and Director of IBM's Zurich Research Laboratory, Dr. Swami Manohar, President and CEO of PicoPeta, Simputers Pvt. Ltd, Bangalore, Mr. Stephen Prentice, Vice President and Director of Research (MEA) for Gartner and many other well-known experts in the international IT sector.