Connectivity in Science – Today. Tomorrow. Future.

The AGYA Annual Conference, themed Connectivity in Science – Today. Tomorrow. Future., convened more than 200 Arab and German scholars, students, and senior stakeholders to discuss how interdisciplinary research collaboration can advance shared Arab-German visions for a promising future. The high-impact event was co-organized in close partnership with the University of Sharjah and the University of Khorfakkan.

The University of Sharjah is honoured to co-host the AGYA Annual Conference and celebrate connectivity in science. This gathering brings together exceptional researchers from across the Arab world and Germany to tackle global challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration. By fostering these Arab-German partnerships, we advance knowledge exchange across our institutions and communities.

H.E. Prof. Dr. Esameldin Agamy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, UAE

The conference was opened with remarks by H.E. Prof. Dr. Esameldin Agamy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, H.E. Prof. Dr. Ali Hilal Al Naqbi, Chancellor of the University of Khorfakkan, H.E. Sybille Pfaff, German Consul General Dubai, Dr. Erik Hansalek, Head of Division, Cooperation with Africa & Middle East, German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, and Prof. Dr. Gina El-Feky, Co-Chair of the AGYA Advisory Board and President of the Academy of Scientific Research & Technology.

A panel discussion titled ‘Connectivity in Science: Arab-German Research Cooperation’ underscored this vision and addressed how academic collaboration can be further strengthened in times of rapid technological change. 

Germany and the UAE share a deep commitment to advancing science diplomacy. By joining forces, we develop powerful synergies and vibrant research hubs that not only strengthen our bilateral relations but also contribute to global innovation. This conference jointly organized by AGYA, the University of Sharjah, and the University of Khorfakkan serves as a strong model of a partnership based on equality and mutual respect.

H.E. Sybille Pfaff, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Dubai, UAE

During the festive opening, 14 new AGYA members from Bahrain, Egypt, Germany, Morocco, Sudan, and the UAE were officially inaugurated, while outgoing members were welcomed into the alumni/ae network. 

The opening evening was dedicated to science communication, showcasing creative and accessible formats for engaging broader audiences with research. Short presentations highlighted projects ranging from podcasts and educational playbooks to immersive exhibitions and interactive learning tools. The evening emphasized the importance of storytelling, creativity, and dialogue in translating research into societal impact and concluded with a networking dinner that brought together AGYA members, university faculty, and invited guests from the wider research and cultural community.

Across the four days, the conference featured a rich series of interdisciplinary labs and breakthrough forums addressing topics including human-centred urban futures, peacebuilding through higher education, water governance, wellbeing and environmental health, sustainable agriculture, and innovation in materials technology and space.

• From Campus to Community: The Role of Higher Education in Peacebuilding
• Human-centered Urban Futures: Smart, Sustainable, Social?
• The Gift of the Date Palm Tree: Perspectives from Medicine, Agriculture, History, and Literature
• Water – Green Power, Basic Right, and Powerful Cultural Bridge
• The Wellbeing of Society: Individual Solutions, Personalized Medicine, and Environmental Health
• Innovation for Technology and Space

The programme also included the NextGen Innovators student competition, which highlighted how students from the University of Sharjah translate scientific knowledge into viable, socially relevant solutions by combining research excellence with entrepreneurial thinking and real-world application. Designed to foster exchange across disciplines and career stages, these formats brought together interactive, hands-on collaboration with insights into cutting-edge research, creating spaces for dialogue, learning, and the initiation of new interdisciplinary partnerships with relevance beyond academia.

Presenting my project at the NextGen Innovators competition was a truly inspiring experience. Being surrounded by researchers and scholars from across the Arab world and Germany pushed us to think bigger about the real-world impact of our work. The experience reaffirmed my belief that the next generation of scientists has a vital role to play in shaping the conversations that will define our future.

Saadiyah Liakhat Ali, Master's Student in Chemistry, University of Sharjah

Another highlight of the conference was the evening event ‘The Cosmology of Cooperation’ at the Sharjah Academy of Astronomy, Space Sciences & Technology. Combining scientific lectures, the award ceremony of the NextGen Innovators student competition, and the opening of the art-science installation Ionogram Butterfly by German artist Felix Kiessling, the evening traced humanity’s engagement with space from historical knowledge systems to contemporary research frontiers. The programme concluded with a live planetarium show that guided the audience to the star ‘Sharjah,’ named in reference to the Emirate, illustrating how scientific discovery can be made immersive, accessible, and inspiring.

Day 3 of the conference was dedicated entirely to a scientific excursion, taking participants first to the newly opened Sharjah Marine Science Research Centre for hands-on encounters with marine conservation research, and then to the University of Khorfakkan, where the breakthrough forum Water – Green Power, Basic Right, and Powerful Cultural Bridge offered more in-depth academic exchange on water governance and regional research priorities.

It is a privilege for the University of Khorfakkan to co-host the AGYA Annual Conference. By welcoming AGYA for a breakthrough forum on water research, we create a platform for our faculty and AGYA scholars to exchange knowledge across marine conservation, water management, and cultural perspectives. We are excited to engage in dialogues that address pressing global challenges through Arab-German collaboration.

H.E. Prof. Dr. Ali Hilal Al Naqbi, Chancellor of the University of Khorfakkan, UAE

In addition to the public events, the conference also provided space for internal AGYA governance and community-building moments. A new AGYA Steering Committee as well as new Alumni Co-Speakers and Ambassadors were elected during the conference.

On the final evening, conference attendees were invited by the German Consulate to join the German National Day celebration in Dubai, a festive gathering that brought together partners and guests from across the UAE. It was a warm conclusion to four days of intensive exchange, and a natural reflection of the spirit of connection that had defined the conference throughout.

The conference days in Sharjah highlighted not only the breadth of AGYA’s research activities, but also the strength of its community. Through dialogue, collaboration, and shared experiences across institutions and disciplines, the Annual Conference brought the theme of Connectivity in Science – Today. Tomorrow. Future. to life. Set against this thematic backdrop and the United Arab Emirates’ rapidly growing role in science and research, the conference marked an important step toward future AGYA initiatives and sustained cooperation with the Gulf region, deepening existing partnerships, fostering new connections, and setting ideas in motion that will continue well beyond the conference itself.

The AGYA Annual Conference 2025 was made possible through the generous support and collaboration of our partners. We extend our sincere appreciation to:

• University of Sharjah
• German Consulate General Dubai
• University of Khorfakkan
• Sharjah Academy of Astronomy, Space Sciences & Technology (SAASST)
• German-Emirati Institute

We also warmly thank our AGYA colleagues who served as local anchors for this conference:

• Prof. Dr. Mahmoud Abdel-Hafiez, AGYA Alumni Co-Speaker, University of Sharjah, UAE
• Prof. Dr. Tareq Osaili, AGYA Alumni Ambassador for the United Arab Emirates, University of Sharjah, UAE

17-20 November 2025 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

• University of Sharjah
• University of Khorfakkan
• Sharjah Academy of Astronomy, Space Sciences & Technology