Ras Al Khaimah Ruler attends the opening of the 16th International Workshop on Advanced Materials 

HH Sheikh Saud:   

February 17, 2025, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates: His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, delivered an opening keynote address on the first day of the three-day International Workshop on Advanced Materials (IWAM), where he talked of science holding the key to building a more sustainable world, by revolutionizing industries through innovation, and of how Ras Al Khaimah is committed to scientific advancement.

HH Sheikh Saud said: “Through the annual hosting of the International Workshop on Advanced Materials, Ras Al Khaimah is reaffirming its commitment to nurturing scientific advancement and contributing to the global conversation on advanced materials.

“By developing a culture of scientific enquiry and investing in the development of advanced materials, we are laying the foundation for a brighter tomorrow, not just for Ras Al Khaimah, but for the entire world. Major breakthroughs in advanced materials research have the potential to revolutionize energy production, transportation and manufacturing.”

Science is the systematic and purposeful pursuit of knowledge, the lens through which we examine the universe, HH Sheikh Saud added during his address at the InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort.

“Science must be the bedrock upon which we in Ras Al Khaimah, the UAE and around the world build a sustainable and prosperous future, with our younger generations playing an active role in furthering our pursuit of knowledge,” HH Sheikh Saud concluded.

IWAM, in its 16th year in Ras Al Khaimah, is bringing together more than 200 attendees, including scientists, such as Nobel Laureate Prof. Andre Geim, of the University of Manchester, along with students and speakers from around the world, for three days of lectures, discussions and poster sessions on how advanced materials are helping to shape the future. 

The forum is attended by scientists from some of the most prestigious educational institutions on the planet, such as the universities of Cambridge and Oxford in the UK, the University of California and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US and the University of New South Wales in Australia.

This year’s event received almost 400 submissions to be considered to present at the workshop, where scientists and students from more than 20 countries are taking part, including almost 100 from the UAE, 51 from India, 11 from the USA and nine from Algeria. Twenty-one invited speakers and five students will deliver talks on stage over the course of the three days.

IWAM is also partnering with Ras Al Khaimah’s Department of Knowledge and the University of Bolton Academic Centre Ras Al Khaimah to present the Ras Al Khaimah Innovation and Sustainability Challenge (RISC) 2025, which will see students from all levels of schools and universities in the Emirate, as well as industry professionals, participate in up to seven competitions to develop innovative solutions to real-life challenges, with cash prizes awarded.

A scientific session for high-school students organized in partnership with the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research will also take place on the third day of IWAM, while advanced materials scientists will make visits to Ras Al Khaimah-based companies to highlight how advanced materials can be utilized to improve production processes and productivity. One IWAM session will also spotlight the opportunities for Ras Al Khaimah companies to work with the Sheikh Saqr Laboratory at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, in India. The laboratory is named after the late Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi.

For the first time, IWAM will include a session involving three UAE speakers, under the theme of ‘Materials for Sustainable Development in the UAE’, with the speakers attending from Khalifa University of Science and Technology, United Arab Emirates University and New York University Abu Dhabi.  

Advanced materials include metals, ceramics and polymers that are either new or enhanced beyond their original state; they can be found in mobile phones, other electronics, composites and coatings, energy systems, membranes and sensors, among others. These materials have the potential to revolutionize many industries, such as aerospace, transport, construction and healthcare, in addition to helping lower carbon footprints and energy demand. 

IWAM is sponsored by Ras Al Khaimah’s Stevin Rock, one of the largest quarrying companies in the world, with a production capacity of more than 80 million tons per year.    

*ENDS*

About His Highness Sheikh Saud

His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi is a Member of the Supreme Council of the UAE and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK). Born in Dubai in 1956, he was educated in Ras Al Khaimah before attending the American University of Beirut. He later moved to the University of Michigan, graduating with an Economics Degree.

He returned home in 1978 and was appointed Chief of the Ruler’s Court before becoming Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah Municipal Council in 1986. In this period, H.H. Sheikh Saud founded RAK Ceramics and restructured Julphar Pharmaceuticals and RAK Rock to ensure both became the industry leaders they are today.

H.H. Sheikh Saud was named Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah on 14 June 2003. In this role he oversaw the introduction of free zones, efficient business licensing procedures and offshore corporate registration.

On 27 October 2010, after the passing of his father H.H. Sheikh Saqr (May he rest in Peace), H.H. Sheikh Saud became the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. As Ruler, he has continued to expand and diversify Ras Al Khaimah’s economic base and improve the quality of its social services, while working hard to make high-quality education and healthcare services available to all the Emirate’s population.

H.H. Sheikh Saud received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bolton, UK, in 2010; an Honorary Fellowship of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research in India, in 2013; and an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Economics from Incheon National University, South Korea, in 2018, a year in which he was also named Visionary Leader of the Year by Arabian Business.

About Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is the northernmost of the seven Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. It is known for its diverse landscape, from 64km of beaches, to deserts and imposing mountains, as well as its rich history, dating back 7,000 years. It has many archaeological sites, four of which have been shortlisted on UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites. The Emirate’s Jebel Jais, which is the highest mountain in the UAE, boasts attractions including Jebel Jais Flight, the world’s longest zip line at almost 3km, and 1484 by Puro, the UAE’s highest restaurant. Ras Al Khaimah is centrally located at the modern crossroads between Europe, Asia and Africa, with one third of the world’s population within four hours’ flying time, making it an ideal location for businesses to expand into the UAE, the Middle East and Africa region and beyond. The Emirate boasts one of the most diverse economies in the region, with no single sector accounting for more than 30% of the Emirate’s GDP – a critical advantage that enhances Ras Al Khaimah’s economic flexibility and strength. Ras Al Khaimah has been rated in the ‘A’ range by Fitch and Standard & Poor’s international ratings agencies for 15 years. Ras Al Khaimah is a multicultural society, with a population of 0.4 million people. The Emirate is known for its tranquil, coastal environment, attainable beachfront living and high quality of life. With year-round sunshine, straightforward business set-up and a competitive and affordable cost of living, Ras Al Khaimah is the informed choice for business, lifestyle and exploration.   

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