Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) concluded the Innovation Arabia 9 Congress today (Wednesday, March 9, 2016) with favorable reaction from regional and global participants. The participants highlighted how the strategic discussions that happened during the congress will help reinforce intellectual merging and lay a solid foundation for cultivating ingenious capabilities and research abilities to the Arab World's comprehensive advancement. Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of HBMSU, the ninth edition hosted a series of workshops, panel discussions and training sessions during its three concurrent conferences titled 'Quality and Business Management,' 'Health and Environment,' and 'Smart Learning Excellence.'.

Held under the theme 'Accelerating Innovation Towards Sustainable Economy,' Innovation Arabia 9 offered a tactical platform to help develop a culture of innovation, creativity and excellence in smart learning, company management, health and the environment-- all of which are considered the main pillars of developing an incorporated knowledge-based economy in the Arab World. A total of 117 research papers discussed various vital problems on smart learning excellence, while 98 papers focused on exploring the future of quality and business management. Another 68 highlighted the main topics related to health and the environment.

On the second day of Innovation Arabia 9, HBMSU launched a brand-new book titled 'Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management: A New Approach to Innovation for GCC Entrepreneurs' released by HBMSU Publishing House in line with its efforts to boost the nation's research capabilities in different disciplines to much better satisfy knowledge requirements. Co-authored by Dr. Khalid M. Al Khazraji and Mr. Shawn N. Olds, the book attracted high interest from congress the participants and speakers. It supplies insights on the GCC's company system and practices and discusses the future of entrepreneurship and small and medium business (SMEs), while presenting the challenges and opportunities in building an innovative environment. The Smart Learning Entrepreneur Day was also introduced under the theme 'Innovation@Work' during the 2nd day. The initiative focused on the success story in carrying out finest practices in the UAE and conversations on useful ways to achieve sustainable entrepreneurship.

Dr. Mansour Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMSU, said: "We are delighted that Innovation Arabia 9 attracted favorable response from the local and global academia, research community and government sector. We are likewise excited with the launching of our new book, 'Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management: A New Approach to Innovation for GCC Entrepreneurs,' which will help share understanding in line with our scientific and scholastic dedication and responsibilities in our quote to become a leading hub for intellectual and cultural knowledge.".

Dr. Al Awar added: "Innovation Arabia 9 showed once again that it is a leading platform to enhance international collaboration in the scientific and research study disciplines and promote intellectual merging enior governmental officials, decision and policy makers, thought leaders, academics, researchers, and entrepreneurs from around the world. Innovation is a main tool to improve education, health and the environment, motivate the implementation of finest practices, and support sustainable entrepreneurship.".

"The terrific success of Innovation Arabia 9 was accomplished due to the undeviating assistance and patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. I would like to reveal my thankfulness to H.H. for his ongoing support to achieve our growth goals at the regional and international levels by ensuring quality in smart learning and supplying a platform to promote development, creativity and clinical research. We would also like to thank our strategic partners and sponsors for their assistance and we anticipate maintaining our strong relations and working together with them once more to make sure the success of Innovation Arabia's next edition," Dr. Al Awar added.

During the 2nd day of the Quality and Business Management conference, the online forum held a panel discussion titled 'Ecosystem for Sustainable Entrepreneurship.' Supervised and moderated by Dr. Philippe Bouvier, the conference featured several popular speakers such as Jack Kramer, Ellucian Senior VP-- Customer Perspective; Wissam Otaky, Group CFO, Hatcher Otaky Holding Group-- UAE; Mohamad Humaid Al Marri, PhD Learner at HBMSU; and Samer Choucair, VP, Crescent Enterprise. The UAE's success story in executing finest practices was gone over throughout the keynote speech of H.E. Wesam Lootah, CEO, Dubai Smart Government, UAE.

A keynote speech by Abdulla Al Awar, CEO, Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre (DIEDC), opened the discussions on the 3rd day of the conference, followed by a panel discussion titled 'Islamic Financial Landscape: Current Development.' The panel discussion was moderated by Prof. Nabil Baydoun, Vice Chancellor for Enterprise & University Advancement, HBMSU, with the participation of Dr. Shamim Siddiqui, Faculty Member, Associate Professor, HBMSU; Suhail Zubairi, CEO, Dar Al Sharia Legal and Financial Consultancy; and Kamran Khalid Sherwani, Head of Sharia Advisory, Compliance and Quality Control, ADCB. The conference was concluded by a session on 'Marketing in the Social Media Age' under the guidance of Omar Abou Ezzeddine, Deputy General Manager, Managing Partner, Clear Tag.

On the 2nd day of the Smart Learning Excellence conference, Mark Chaban, Area Education Director, Microsoft Middle East and Africa, started the session with a keynote speech, followed by a panel discussion titled 'New Multidisciplinary Research Paradigms for Smart Learning' under the moderation of Dr. Khadeegha Al Zoubi. The individuals included Dr. Suad Abdul Aziz Al-Furaih, Associate Professor, Kuwait University; Dr Philip Quirke, Executive Dean Foundations, General Studies and Education, HCT, UAE; and Dr Akram Zayour, Principal, Dubai International School. The conference likewise highlighted worldwide optimal practices in smart learning during a speech delivered by Maxim Jean-Louis, President-Chief Executive Officer, Contact North

On the 3rd day, the conference began with a panel discussion titled 'Leadership Frameworks to Nurture E-Learning Practitioners.' The participants included numerous global speakers such as Prof. Michael Meimaris, Director of the University Research Institute of Applied Communication, University of Athens; Rafat Malik, Vice President Corporate Partnerships, FT - IE Corporate Learning Alliance; and Dr. Khalid Al Shahrani, Academic Relations Lead, King Abdullah University of Science & Technology, KSA. The audience discovered the correlation between social media and education through a discussion titled 'Social Media for Smart Learning: Fostering Creativity and Innovation' by Nidal Abou Zaki, Managing Director, Orient Planet.

Amongst the individuals were Dr. Pedro Banda, Director Research & Development for DEWA; Dr. Moaetaz El Sergany, Faculty Member, School of Health and Environmental Studies, HBMSU; and Rashed Karkain, PhD Learner at HBMSU. Titled 'Best Practice Story in Preservation & Protection of UAE Environment,' the presentation of Habiba Al Marashi, Chairperson, Emirates Environmental Group-UAE, dealt with the major functions of the UAE's success in applying best ecological practices, with the participation of Dr. Mishgan AlAwar, Director, Research & Studies Center, Dubai Police Academy.

On the 3rd day, Prof. Moustafa Hassan talked about the 'Global Perspective: Excellence in Quality and Patient Safety' throughout a panel discussion. The individuals included Dr. Marwa Zohdy, Vice President, Joint Commission International; Dr. Ashraf Ismail, Managing Director, Middle East Office, Joint Commission International; Prof. Niyi Awofeso, Professor, School of Health & Environmental Studies-HBMSU; and Alanoud Salman, PhD Learner at HBMSU. The current edition of the conference ended with a final session titled 'Use of Social Media in Raising Awareness About Environment & Health-Related Issues and Solutions' under the supervision of Sharif Muhammad, Head of Marketing, Imdaad.

Innovation Arabia 9 brought in the assistance of a large range of main sponsors from extremely prominent worldwide bodies, significant banking and media institutions, business organizations, and private companies. The sponsors included du, Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), Insurance Authority, Mohammad Bin Rashid Smart Learning Program, Financial Times-- Corporate Learning Alliance, Dubai Media Inc. and other media partners.