Dubai Future Foundation launches centre to support future-related studies

The Dubai Future Foundation, DFF, has launched the Future Design Centre, FDC, a global strategic initiative, which serves to support foundation activities in future-related studies, 3D technology, and modern physics fields.

The announcement was made at the recently concluded fifth World Government Summit, #WGS 2017, in Dubai.

The centre has been established in partnership with Oxford University’s Institute of Digital Archaeology, IDA, and in collaboration with Harvard University. It will work to secure financing for scientific research, provide specialisations in the future of technology and public policy, as well as highly equipped laboratories for research and development in 3D technology.

Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Managing Director of the Dubai Future Foundation, noted that Dubai’s future-oriented international initiatives further cement the UAE’s status as a global hub for the future industry. "These initiatives seek to build a better future for coming generations, as directed by Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum," he said.

Al Gergawi added, "By launching the FDC, the foundation is now exploring new horizons that reflect the forward-thinking vision of our leadership and propel our future-centric business models onto the international stage, where they will be adapted into curricula to be taught at the world’s top universities.

Abdulla bin Touq, Acting CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, said, "Through this strategic global initiative, the DFF will work closely with the Oxford IDA in many domains that will facilitate our future-centric vision. This includes collaborating with the institute to secure funding for research and projects revolving around 3D technology. Meanwhile, Oxford University will launch academic and training programmes, including those provided by the Dubai Future Academy, that will allow students to hone their skills to forecast future trends and, therefore, draw up scenarios and set strategies for the future."

The partnership will provide DFF with direct access to the University of Oxford’s strategic resources, facilitating future collaborations in the fields of future studies, 3D scanning and printing, public policy, and applied physics, including both advanced imaging technologies and magnonics, a potential key to quantum computing technology. The IDA also maintains an educational partnership with Harvard University, creating the potential for future collaborations between DFF and the prestigious American university, as well.

Sir Ivor Roberts, President of the University of Oxford’s Trinity College, said, "I am particularly delighted that Trinity College at the University of Oxford will have the honour of hosting students on the forthcoming FDC courses. I hope this is the start of a long and fruitful collaboration with the college and with the wider university."

Roger Michel, IDA Founder and Executive Director, said, "Joint ventures like these are the natural next step for great universities if they hope to maintain their relevance and, more importantly, their primacy in the changing world of the 21st century. The foundation is the ideal partner for these great institutions. It is an honour to play a role in this extraordinary enterprise."