The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Free Zone (EIFZ)
October 5, 2021 2021-10-05 9:08The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Free Zone (EIFZ)
About EIFZ
The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Free Zone (EIFZ), established under the University of Dubai’s umbrella, is a research and consultancy platform operating in tandem with San Diego State University’s Center for Information Convergence & Strategy (CICS). EIFZ offers a platform for students, alumni, and faculty to network, collaborate, & develop their ideas and support entrepreneurs through various stages of the entrepreneurial and innovation process.
Our Vision is “to become the global leader in entrepreneurship and innovation while nurturing young minds though academia and practice to become domain pioneers”.
The Mission is “to empower the transformation of oil producing economies into leading tomorrow’s global knowledge workforce.”
- Create a culture that fosters innovation and turns ideas into practice
- Establish an organic ecosystem that will export innovation to the world
- Ignite every mind with entrepreneurship and creative opportunities
Activities Of The Center
Core EIFZ Activities
- Networking Opportunities
- Educational Workshops
- Keynote Speakers Selection
- Industry Visits and Tradeshows
- Internship Connection
- Global Conferences
Competitions
- Business Case Cup
Students are encouraged to submit business cases. The business cases will be evaluated by subject matter experts and the annual winners will be announced in December 2015. - Business Plan Cup
Students demonstrate the value proposition of the business, capturing the elements of a business plan in a high-impact power point, video, and executive-summary. The annual winners will be announced in December 2015. - Entrepreneurship Cup
Multi-year challenge presented by corporate partners. Students undergo rigorous mentorship with CICS team to sharpen the ideas and concepts. The final report is presented to VCs. Winners may receive funding/cash prices.
Projects being handled by UD-EIFZ
Projects range from health informatics to trade. There will be a strong emphasis on security and technology.
Mechanism for Selecting Researchers
Project researchers at UD-EIFZ will be recommended by the University of Dubai faculty panel and confirmed after a joint evaluation with CICS (SDSU) leadership to ensure that we maintain a balanced and accountable research force that can think “outside the box” and enable innovation to occur organically.
Personnel
In general, the selected projects and research opportunities will be open to all. However, the primary research workforce will be made up of researchers from CICS and the UD. Participation of outside members is by invitation only.
Sustainable Development
UD-EIFZ will be an innovation incubator in Dubai where new solutions are created, both for consumption in the United Arab Emirates and as a globally exportable commodity. This is in alignment with the 2025 vision shared by the Ruler of Dubai and the EIFZ leadership. Government and private sectors will be integrated and benefit alike from this initiative. The long-term impact spans beyond commercial markets, towards strengthening and optimizing processes in diverse sectors as a basis for economic sustainability.
Tourism, Finance, Healthcare, Security, Technology, and Trade are the core categories.
Public-Private Partnership
EIFZ invites government and private entities to bring their technological evaluation opportunities to the UD-EIFZ team and to leverage the global talent attached to the center. We work in an advisory role with your organization to bring forward optimal technological solutions that are agile and flexible. We also help to detect and eliminate silos. Remember -“A stitch in time saves nine”.
Research
- Unstructured text and other knowledge artifacts
- Geographically referenced information
- Longitudinal and cross-sectional multivariate data
- Development of a novel executive graduate program in Information Convergence and Strategy
- Seminars on topics related to information convergence and strategy for national/international audiences
Innovation talks at University of Dubai, hosted by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI).
INNOVTALK # 1: SOFT OPENING OF THE INNOVTALK SERIES
November 29,2015 – Topic “Change Management”
– Speaker: Darryl T. Anderson (USA)
Darryl is the Founder & CEO of Tr33 Inc. and the Principal of Tr33 LLC. Darryl is responsible for the strategic planning & operations, focus on client relationship management, and general manager of the firm. Prior to his current role and the establishment of Tr33 Inc., Darryl served in a variety of Sr. Leadership roles in the IT industry supporting Strategic Planning, Engineering, Operations, and Client Services in the Telecommunications, Production Manufacturing, Financial Services, and Energy & Utilities sectors .
In addition to managing Tr33 Inc. Darryl is a Board Member for Community Financial Wellness (CFW) and a Fall 2015 workshop sponsor of the San Diego State University’s Center for Information & Convergence Strategy program. Darryl received his degree in engineering from the University of Maryland and holds certifications in the Project Management Book of Knowledge (PMBOK) and LEAN Six Sigma discipline with the University of California, Irvine.
December 6, 2015 – Topic “Customs & Port Security”
– Speaker: Venu Sarakki (USA)
SAI started in 1995 by providing their services in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), which deals with improving traffic mobility by applying state of the art computer and communication systems. Since its inception, SAI has expanded its reach to all levels of government and to the private sector. Venu has strategically steered his company to win highly complex and prestigious projects with the US and Mexican governments. SAI currently provides IT services related to secure border systems along US-Mexico border and to enhance cyber security. Mr. Sarakki is a registered professional engineer in the state of California and has published over a dozen technical papers both in national and international journals. He was presented the “Entrepreneur of the Year” award by the American Society of Engineers of Indian Origin. He and his company have received many awards for outstanding engineering excellence by both US and Overseas governments.
Co-Founder & Chair

Dr. Eesa Bastaki
Executives

Prof. Wathiq Mansoor,
Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center

Dr. Geoffrey Gachino,
Associate Director, Business Innovation

Prof. Ananth Rao,
Co-Founder & Director of Academic Integration & Research

Prof. Akshay Pottathil,
Co-Founder & Director of Innovation & Strategy
Associate Directors

Prof. Hussain Al Ahmad,
Associate Director, Technology Innovation

Dr. Andre Skupin ,
Associate Director, Data Visualization & Analytics

Dr. Sami Miniaoui,
Associate Director, Technology Innovation

Dr. Nasser Al Muraqab ,
Associate Director, Technology & Business Convergence
Faculty Researchers

Dr. Kamarul Faizal Hashim

Dr. Claude Fachkha

Dr.Shadi Atalla

Dr. Ibrahim Tabche

Mrs. Marina Arnaut

Dr. Genanew Bekele Worku

Dr. Eappen Thiruvattal

Dr. Yehia Kamel

Dr. Yaprak Anadol
Student Researchers – PhD Students

Hamdan Almulla Alrayssi

Ahmad Al Falasi

Abdulmunem Al Shehhi

Amna Leghwais Al Suwaidi

Ibrahim Mohammed

Mohamed Al Ali

Mohammed Saeed Al Sudain

Suhail Albastaki

Hessa Aljawali

Fadhel Ali Al Memari

Hanan Almarzouqi
- Students/alumni brimming with ideas
- Interested in turning their ideas into startups
Public & Private Partners
- Interested in Investing in new startups
- Interested in partnership with University