First UAE Forum in Telecommunication Research discusses future of telecom, wireless in the UAE

The forum was organized by Etisalat University College, the academic arm of Emirates Telecommunications Corporation - Etisalat, and sponsored by Etisalat, the UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), the UAE Chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and Nokia.

The forum was attended by Mr. Nasser Bin Obood, Deputy Chief Executive Officer - Etisalat. In his speech, Mr. Nasser welcomed all participants and highlighted the importance of the event as it tackles crucial issues concerning the current status and the future directions of the telecommunication research in the UAE.

The forum featured eight keynote speakers, including Mr. Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim, Director General at the TRA, who focused on the need for a telecom and IT fund; Mr. Saleh Al Abdooli, General Manager/Network Developments at Etisalat, who spoke about the evolution of technologies and its effect on future services and applications; Mr. Mikko A. Uusitalo, Head of International Cooperation at the Nokia Research Center and Chair of the Wireless World Research Forum, who briefed the audience about Nokia and WWRF visions on future wireless.

Other speakers from the Etisalat University College included EUC Deputy Manager Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, who detailed the research and education network in the UAE; and Dr. Mohammed Al Mualla, EUC Postgraduate and Research Coordinator, who spoke about the current status and future prospects of research funding in the UAE.

The forum also focused on several UAE concerns, including the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Programme for Postgraduate Research; and international subjects such as the role of universities in developing technology, and the new generation of Internet and its effect on society.

'The primary aim of this forum is to develop a role for telecommunication research in the UAE and use it to build the future of this industry,' Dr. Arif said. 'The response to this forum has been very encouraging, and we look forward to making it an annual event.'

The forum is one of the most important initiatives to be held by the Etisalat University College, which also provides 'Master by Research' programmes and undertakes other applied technology operations geared towards improving the UAE telecom sector.