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The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Free Zone (EIFZ)​

The 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.

I. EIFZ Vision

Our Vision is “to become the global leader in entrepreneurship and innovation while nurturing young minds though academia and practice to become domain pioneers”.

II. EIFZ Mission

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.
III. Research

EIFZ works in collaboration with San Diego State University’s Center for Information Convergence & Strategy (CICS). CICS aims to catalyze and nurture the advancement of San Diego State University as a global leader in knowledge-driven, trans disciplinary thinking and solutions. CICS provides original research and practical technology solutions for integrated mining and analysis of heterogeneous data for diverse partners:

  • 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.
IV. 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.

EIFZ Activities (2020-2022)

 

A. Establish Innovation Hub in University of Dubai.

 Establish Innovation Hub in University of Dubai.

B. MOU between University of Dubai-EIFZ and Dubai Future Foundation.

MOU between University of Dubai-EIFZ and Dubai Future Foundation.

C. Projects, Workshop and competitions
  • Young entrepreneur competition (2020).
  • Eagle Eye – RTA Hackathon (2020).
  • Smart Parking- Pitching day with TRA (2020).
  • Utilization project – The Hamdan bin Mohammed Award for Innovation in Project Management-Innovative Practices in Handling the Covid-19 Pandemic Award (Aug ,2020).
  • Pitching Day- University of Dubai students with Dubai Future Foundation (Feb ,2020).
  • Smart home- Solar decathlon (Feb,2021).
  • Spoken Hand – Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (April, 2021).
  • Smart Steering – Ericsson’s Hackathon –UAE vision 2021 (May, 2021).
  • The Hamdan bin Mohammed Award for Innovation in Project Management (July, 2021).
  • Innovation Arabia 2022 – 3 abstracts fully accepted and published, Sep 2021
  • Expo Science – 2projects (Feb,2022)
  • Civil Defense event (March,2022)
D. Seminars
  • Medical Image recognition systems (2020).
  • AI for communication systems (October 2020).
  • Industrial Revolution IV; Photovoltaic Systems & Electric Vehicles Advanced Role in Smart Grid Stabilities, Dr. Mohamad Nassereddine (Feb, 2020).
  • Co Drone Training, Atlab (Feb,2020).
  • What it takes to be a successful entrepreneur, Eng. Mohammed Shahin (Apr, 2020).
  • From an idea to success: a guide to starting a business, Dr. Zaheer Nasser (Apr, 2020).
  • How to fund your startup, Dr. Zaheer Nasser (May, 2020).
  • Medical Image recognition systems, Dr. Ayman Al Baz, University of Louisville, USA. (September 2020).
  • Tips on how to find your career path (Dec,2021).

Organization Structure

Dr. Eesa Al Bastaki

Founder

Prof. Wathiq Mansoor

Chair and Director

Members

Eng. Eman Abushabab

Mr. Hatim Khalil

Dr. Marina Arnaut

Dr. Nasiruddeen Muhammad

Dr. Sami Miniaoui