{
  "id": 13852078,
  "title": "MBZUAI fellowship puts Emiratis at forefront of AI research",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/mbzuai-fellowship-puts-emiratis-at-forefront-of-ai-research",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-12T02:00:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/10/12/mbzuai-fellowship-puts-emiratis-at-forefront-of-ai-research/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) has introduced a fellowship programme exclusively for Emirati postdoctoral researchers and academic leaders who integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into their research. The inaugural recipient of the Ruwwad AI Scholars (RAIS) Fellowship is Dr. Mohamed Almarei, who will spend two years conducting research at the University of Oxford. The fellowship covers all expenses and provides recipients with the opportunity to further develop their AI skills at prestigious international institutions.\n\nDr. Almarei's research focuses on applying AI to synthetic biology, with the goal of creating accurate models that decrease the reliance on expensive wet-lab experiments and contribute to more sustainable biological production. He discovered Prof. Jean-Baptiste Lugagne's methodology during a conference, which he deemed a \"turning point\" in his research. Dr. Almarei's experimental bioengineering background will enable him to leverage data-driven AI models to predict cellular behavior and control living systems more effectively.\n\nThe UAE has been making significant investments in AI technology and infrastructure. Recently, Abu Dhabi's Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council met to assess AI progress. Plans are underway for a joint UAE-US AI Campus in Abu Dhabi, and the Abu Dhabi government aims to become the world's first AI-native nation by 2027. Dr. Almarei is eager to contribute to this AI-driven future and play a role in the UAE's AI development.\n\nUpon completion of the fellowship, fellows are considered for faculty positions at MBZUAI. Dr. Almarei hopes to continue his research beyond Oxford, impacting the UAE both domestically and globally. His ultimate goal is to conduct research with both economic and societal impact, publish high-impact papers in world-class journals, and mentor the next generation of researchers in scientific rigour and integrity for the betterment of humanity.",
  "summary": "A new fellowship programme for Emirati postdoctoral researchers and academic leaders who incorporate artificial intelligence into their research has selected its first recipient. Dr Mohamed Almarei has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Ruwwad AI Scholars (RAIS) Fellowship from Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI). He will take up a two-year research…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "MBZUAI fellowship puts Emiratis at forefront of AI research",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/mbzuai-fellowship-puts-emiratis-at-forefront-of-ai-research-13852275",
        "published": "2026-10-12T02:00:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}