A high level delegation from London South Bank University visited ASU (4-7 January) for initial talks to strengthen and augment our existing partnership with research, innovation and enterprise dimensions.

The delegation was headed by Prof Paul Ivey, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Research and External Engagement, and included Prof David Mba, Dean of Engineering and Dr Gurpreet Jagpal, Director of Research, Innovation and Enterprise. Prof Waheeb AlKhaja, Chairman of Board of Trustees, and Prof Ghassan Aouad, President of ASU, led ASU Senior Executive team in the discussions.

The discussions have identified a possibility of establishing a joint Research Institute (RI), within which major R&D projects that are primarily interdisciplinary in nature cutting across many interests in the University, e.g. Sustainable Futures. Various activities within the proposed RI include:

• A portfolio of (HEC-approved) postgraduate programmes of studies (both at Masters and PhD levels) will be developed and marketed widely within the region and beyond.

• Development of mobility programmes and joint staff database

• Joint conferences/workshops organisations

• Joint flag-ship R&D research projects

Within our partnership, enterprise forms an equally important pillar under which, entrepreneurship and innovation are encouraged with CPD development, student start-ups, spin out, as well as commercial joint venture opportunities are harnessed and facilitated.

During the visit, Prof Ivey gave a lecture on Research Innovation, in which he emphasized the importance of research and innovation and outlined his vision and directions for collaborative research in general and between our two institutions in particular.

Prof Mba delivered a lecture on Engineering Futures; he outlined where the R&D in engineering are heading in the coming two decades and highlighted the many challenges ahead. This included the engineering of the next generation of UAV, robotics and avionics, emphasizing on sustainability and dependability.

The visit ended by a dinner hosted by the Chairman of Board of Trustess in which Prof Riyadh Hamzah, the Secretary General of the Higher Education Council and Dr Cameron Mirza, Head of Strategy and Projects were honoree guests.