ABU DHABI, 29th May, 2023 (WAM) — Building on the success of the three previous editions, Abu Dhabi University’s (ADU) College of Engineering (CoE) hosted the 4th ADU-ASU Research Forum 2023, under the theme of “Concrete in Hot Weather: Building for Tomorrow, Innovations in Sustainable Design and 3D Printing for Smart Construction”, in collaboration with School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment at Arizona State University (ASU).

The Forum presented a significant contribution to the production of 3D printing sustainable concrete suitable for the UAE’s environmental conditions.

The Forum was inaugurated by Dr. Samer Al Martini, Chair of the Forum and Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at ADU, Prof. Thomas Glas-Hochstettler, Provost of ADU and Dr. Hamdi Sheibain, Dean of the College of Engineering at ADU.

The event serves in line with two United Nations sustainable development goals, SDGs three and nine.

The Goals aim to ensure maintaining the health and well-being of individuals as well as promoting construction resilience and solid infrastructure for inclusive and sustainable industrialisation.

By addressing these goals, the Forum seeks to generate innovative outcomes that serve in line with the UAE’s year of sustainability and contribute to the ongoing growth of the country’s knowledge-based economy.

The Forum was inaugurated through strategic partnerships with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) led by ASCE Director Region, Dr. Elias Al Sayah and ASCE’s President Dr. Reem Sabouni, Abu Dhabi Municipality and Society of Engineering, in addition to the Forum supporters including Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the Arab Youth Center (UAE).

The event was sponsored by several international and national industrial companies including Schwarzwälder Textil-Werke Heinrich Kautzmann GmbH (STW) Germany, KTI Plersch Kältetechnik, Germany, VIP-Various Ice Product (UAE) and Transgulf Readymix Concrete (UAE).

The two-day Forum provided students, scientists and engineers with the opportunity to engage in research and development discussions and exchange knowledge on the topic of hot weather concreting, sustainable smart construction and design while emphasizing the recent advancements and 3D printing technology as a means of solving industrial challenges.

Furthermore, numerous keynote presentations and technical and industrial sessions were featured during the Forum, which focused on sustainability, hot weather building materials and 3D concrete printing construction. Additionally, the insights gained during the two-day event focused on ways to enhance construction productivity, safety and sustainability.

Alongside, addressing challenges related to the utilisation of 3D concrete printing technology for structural applications.

Over 200 individuals participated in the Forum, in addition to 60 attending virtually. Additionally, representatives from industrial companies and public sectors partook in various sessions and lectures throughout the event and demonstrated their expertise and knowledge in sustainable smart construction and 3D Printing.

Through this event, ADU aims to empower its students by offering world-class extracurricular and learning opportunities that allow them to gain research knowledge, elevate their skillset and provide them with innovative learning methods.

During the Forum, ADU students showcased their sustainability-related projects during the poster and model presentation sessions of the Forum and the ASCE ADU student chapter participated by hosting their chapter’s stand at the Forum.

Dr. Hamdi Sheibani, Dean of the College of Engineering at Abu Dhabi University (ADU), said, “We are delighted to once again partner with Arizona State University, one of the USA’s prestigious universities, to conduct the 4th ADU-ASU Research Forum 2023. Working closely with a strategic partner like ASU supports our mission of providing our students with a world-class education while empowering their critical thinking and research enthusiasm. It also prepares them to succeed in an increasingly competitive job market."

Dr. Samer Al Martini, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at Abu Dhabi University (ADU) and Chair of the Forum, stated, “The 4th ADU-ASU Research Forum 2023 serves as a remarkable testament to ADU's unwavering commitment to investing in scientific research opportunities that foster innovation and creative thinking among our faculty, students and community.”

Prof. Narayanan Neithalath, the forum collaborator, from ASU, added, “We are proud to collaborate with Abu Dhabi University in hosting the 4th ADU-ASU Research Forum 2023. This event showcases the power of partnerships and the collective efforts in advancing sustainable design, 3D concrete printing, and innovative solutions in the field of construction. Together, we aim to create a lasting impact on the built environment and contribute to a sustainable future.”

PRAGUE, 29th May, 2023 (WAM) — A group of UAE defence sector companies participated in the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair, which was being held in the Czech Republic, on the sidelines of the visit of a high-level delegation headed by Ahmed Al Sayegh, Minister of State, to the country, with the aim of expanding bilateral cooperation between the two countries in various areas of common interest.

The participation of the UAE delegation at the international exhibition comes within the framework of the country's efforts to enhance cooperation and exchange experiences and best practices in the field of defence, focusing on the advanced technology and modern innovations employed by UAE and Czech Republic companies, as the two sides look to strengthen cooperation in this sector for the benefit of both countries.

The delegation toured the various pavilions and halls of the exhibition, which includes a number of international institutions and companies. The delegation was briefed on the latest military technologies, security systems and defence industries hosted by the exhibition.

ABU DHABI, 29th May, 2023 (WAM) — Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), ADAFSA launches Fodder Market, the first and largest of its kind in the Middle East.
The market aims to provide UAE livestock breeders with easy access to high-quality animal feed at competitive prices while ensuring safe and sustainable solutions for local fodder companies to access markets.
The Fodder Market has the capacity to serve around 40,000 breeders across the UAE and cater to more than 5 million livestock.

The feed trade in the UAE is valued at more than AED2.5 billion annually, with a volume of about 3 million tons. The launch of the Fodder Market is expected to boost trade and promote fair competition among suppliers, thereby contributing to the growth of the feed market.
Located near livestock farms (Ezbah), the Fodder Market is linked to a group of existing regular markets, in addition to an online platform for trading feed available to all companies in the UAE.

There are already 12 markets in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, including 85 outlets allocated to 30 companies for the sale and marketing of animal feed.

More of these markets will be established with the inclusion of more companies specialising in the sale and marketing of feed.
The 12 fodder outlets in the emirate are Al Faya in Abu Dhabi City; Al Sila, Al Mirfa, Ghayathi, Khanoor/Hossan, and Tharwaniyyah in Al Dhafra Region; and Wahat Al Sahra, Al Ouya, Bu Kuraya, Al Dhahira, Nahel, and Al Anjah in Al Ain.
His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed the UAE's keenness, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to mobilise resources, capabilities and energies to enable sustainable food production and create an integrated self-sufficiency system that supports the National Food Security Strategy in accordance with the highest food safety standards.
His Highness pointed out that the Fodder Market is an important initiative to regulate the feed trade in the country. It combines physical markets with an online platform, allowing buyers to see their purchases in real time.
His Highness said: “The promotion of the livestock sector is crucial to increasing self-sufficiency in animal products. It is imperative to create an enabling environment for sustainable production, and the implementation of the Fodder Market will play a significant role in enhancing livestock productivity by ensuring proper nutrition, promoting sustainable practices, and empowering livestock breeders as a vital and effective component of the national food security system. The Fodder Market also aims to improve the efficiency of feed utilisation, increase productivity and economic viability, and ensure the continued growth and sustainability of the livestock industry”.
Saeed Al Bahri Al Ameri, Director General of ADAFSA, stressed that the Fodder Market aims to connect feed buyers from all emirates with suppliers approved by ADAFSA. This will allow for transparent and easy sales and purchases, ensuring that livestock breeders obtain their needs of feed with the highest quality and the best prices, ultimately achieving the sustainability and development of livestock.
He said: "Livestock owners across all emirates will be able to obtain high-quality products from trusted suppliers via the Fodder Market, which is linked to regular markets in addition to an online platform. This outlet is the first of its kind in the Middle East and the largest in terms of the volume and value of trades that will take place annually."
In addition to the benefits of diversity and a wide variety of grass and compound feed available through registered companies, whether through the regular market or the online platform, the outlet will also save time and effort for breeders by protecting them from dealing with street vendors or purchasing fodder of unknown origin.
He stated that one of the key pillars for achieving the goals of the National Food Security Strategy and ensuring the abundance and safety of food for all members of society is the development of the livestock sector in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, in line with the vision of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The launch of the Fodder Market would also raise the calibre of fodder that is sold and traded on the markets and spur supplier competition to satisfy market demands for fodder and animal food in accordance with international standards, thus helping to safeguard, advance livestock and boost animal productivity, and increase the economic return of breeders.
He drew attention to the steady support of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan to ADAFSA, as His Highness’ directives consistently emphasise the importance of sustaining the agricultural sector, both plant and animal, building the capacities of farmers and breeders, and empowering the private sector. This is to ensure the development of agricultural production and livestock and raise its production efficiency to meet the market's needs of fresh meat, dairy, and other animal products of international quality.