Sharjah Ruler witnesses launch of 2nd edition of ‘Sharjah Next’

H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, witnessed, on Wednesday morning in the presence of H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK), the launch of the second edition of Sharjah Next. The forum features keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops and specialised debates exploring sectors shaping the future of economies and societies. H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan also inaugurated Uruk City, a pioneering model for a new generation of sustainable cities.

Organised by the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK), the two-day forum is themed “Sustainability” and carries the slogan “From Lab to Market”. It aims to strengthen collaboration among researchers, industry sectors and investors, and to accelerate the transition of innovations from research and development to practical applications and commercialisation.

During the ceremony at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK), H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah tapped a tablet to inaugurate Uruk City. He then watched a film outlining the city’s vision as a new concept for the future of urban living, built on harnessing technology and innovation to optimise resources and save time, giving people greater opportunities to enjoy healthier and more prosperous lives. The city also redefines the role of urban environments in serving their residents and communities, while aspiring to become a hub for scientific research and innovation and a platform for developing, testing and implementing future solutions in a real-world urban setting.

H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan reviewed the model of Uruk City, an integrated environment where knowledge, scientific research and practical application converge, thereby strengthening Sharjah’s position as a hub for innovation and reinforcing the UAE’s role in shaping the future of cities worldwide.

The ceremony opened with a video highlighting the importance of investing in creative ideas, nurturing and developing them, and creating a supportive environment that enables them to grow and evolve into distinctive initiatives and projects with a positive impact. Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK), then delivered a speech reviewing the Park’s 10-year journey. He affirmed that this journey began with the vision of H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah to build an integrated ecosystem that transforms knowledge into innovation and scientific research into economic and social value by fostering integration among universities, the industrial sector and entrepreneurship.