About Us

Office of the Vice-President of Research

Message from the VPR

At MBZUAI, research is not merely about expanding frontiers—it is about reimagining the boundaries of AI’s potential. In an era where AI reshapes global society, our mission centers on driving transformative, high-impact innovation: advancing foundational knowledge while delivering solutions tailored to both local needs (rooted in the UAE’s vision) and global challenges, from AI-driven healthcare and autonomous systems to equitable human-AI collaboration. Through strategic partnerships, interdisciplinary synergy, and unwavering excellence, we foster an ecosystem where groundbreaking ideas evolve from lab breakthroughs to real-world applications. The Office of the Vice President for Research anchors this journey, empowering faculty, students, and collaborators to pursue bold, responsible research. Whether you are an academic, industry leader, or policymaker, we invite you to engage—participating in a community that bridges global insight with local relevance.

In the spirit of “together towards the future” - maʿan ila al-mustaqbal.

‍Prof. Sami Haddadin
Vice President of Research, MBZUAI

Our mission

The Office of the Vice-President of Research at MBZUAI is dedicated to advancing artificial intelligence as both a field of study and a catalyst for discovery across all domains. AI is an accelerator for science amplifying human ingenuity, democratizing knowledge, and enabling progress in areas such as personalized medicine, natural sciences, robotics, environmental protection, and beyond.

We provide funding opportunities, research infrastructure, and expert project management, while fostering collaborations with academia, industry, government, and startups. Beyond administrative support, we actively shape the research landscape through interdisciplinary initiatives, knowledge-sharing, and translation of breakthroughs into real-world applications. Our vision is a future where AI-driven research empowers scientists to focus on creativity and innovation, accelerates technological progress, and delivers lasting impact on science, industry, and society.