Empowering Innovation: UAE's Higher Education and ADQ Partner to Host 'Innovation Bridge' Event

The UAE's Higher Education Ministry and sovereign investment firm ADQ brought together over 100 researchers and business leaders in Abu Dhabi for the Innovation Bridge Forum 2025. The event aimed to turn academic research into practical business solutions that can drive economic growth across key sectors.

The forum connected 66 representatives from universities and research centers with 34 industry leaders from 14 ADQ portfolio companies. These companies operate across essential economic sectors, creating opportunities for researchers to see their work applied in real-world settings.

ADQ focuses on infrastructure investments and global supply chains, making it a natural partner for academic institutions looking to commercialize their research. The sovereign wealth fund's portfolio spans multiple industries, giving researchers access to diverse sectors where their innovations could make an impact.

Taif Mohammed Al Amiri, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Higher Education Regulation and Governance, said the ministry is committed to building these connections between universities and national businesses. The goal is to strengthen the research ecosystem by linking it to innovative applications that boost the country's economic growth.

The forum created what organizers call a strategic platform for converting scientific research outputs into practical solutions. This approach supports growth in vital sectors where ADQ's companies operate, potentially creating a pipeline from lab to market.

For the UAE's knowledge economy ambitions, events like this matter because they address a common challenge: the gap between academic research and commercial application. By bringing together researchers and established companies, the forum attempts to speed up the process of turning ideas into products or services.

The emphasis on applied research partnerships reflects the UAE's broader strategy to diversify its economy beyond oil. Academic institutions get access to industry problems that need solving, while companies gain access to cutting-edge research that might not emerge from internal R&D efforts alone.