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• Western partners with UAE’s Khalifa University on engineering PhD program

Western partners with UAE’s Khalifa University on engineering PhD program

Western University and Khalifa University of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), are partnering to offer a dual degree PhD for engineering students through a single, integrated research experience.

The program will provide access to world-class faculty, advanced research infrastructure and collaborative opportunities across the UAE and Canada to help prepare the next generation of researchers to address complex challenges.

 “This new partnership will give outstanding doctoral students the opportunity to work alongside engineering leaders in two regions of the world, helping them develop a global perspective on research practices, infrastructure, knowledge translation and the evolving role of professional engineers,” said Western President Alan Shepard. “Western is proud to partner with Khalifa to support the next generation of experts who will accelerate discovery and strengthen international collaboration in the pursuit of innovation.”

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing research excellence and fostering innovation and comes at a time when demand for research and talent in sustainable energy, climate solutions and artificial intelligence continues to grow.

The partnership also establishes a long-term framework for collaborative research, academic exchange and scientific innovation, strengthening institutional ties between the two countries.

"At Khalifa University, we believe that research achieves its greatest impact when knowledge, talent and ideas transcend borders. Our partnership with Western University brings together two globally recognized research institutions with a shared ambition to advance scientific discovery, develop exceptional researchers and deliver solutions to the complex challenges facing our societies,” said Khalifa University President Ebrahim Al Hajri. “Through this dual PhD program, we are not only preparing the next generation of research leaders, but also strengthening the international collaborations that drive innovation, support national priorities and create lasting global impact."

Available across eligible engineering PhD programs at both institutions, the dual PhD program will begin taking students as early as this fall. It will support collaborative research in areas such as sustainable energy, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, aerospace engineering, biomedical and healthcare technologies, and other strategically important fields.

Through the program, doctoral candidates will be jointly supervised by faculty members from both universities and will spend time at campuses in Abu Dhabi and London, Ont. The full-time, research-intensive doctorate, typically completed within four years, provides access to advanced research facilities and academic resources at both institutions. Applicants must meet the admission requirements of both universities and secure supervisors at each institution.