Middlesex University Dubai officially opened its Robotics Lab during a ceremony on its campus in Dubai Knowledge Park on 2 May 2019. The ceremony was attended by special guests and industry experts from Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), Emirates NBD, du, The Assembly, EPSON, alongside academics and students from the University.

In his opening remarks, Dr Cedwyn Fernandes, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Director of Middlesex University Dubai stated, “Middlesex University Dubai is committed to moving forward in line with the UAE government’s directives, and providing significant contribution to society. The official launch of our Robotics Lab signifies the advances we have made in providing innovative, creative and technical skills to our students.”

Dr Fehmida Hussain, Head of Computer Engineering and Informatics, and faculty member Judhi Prasetyo introduced the MSc Robotics Programme structure and the development timeline of the Robotics Lab which began in May 2018.

Speaking of the collaboration, Mr Ghanim Al Falasy, Senior Vice President of People Happiness & Innovation, Corporate Services at DSOA, remarked how proud he was of the recent success and the partnership between DSOA and Middlesex University Dubai in the area of robotics.

Mr Prashant Gulati, Founder of The Assembly and President Emeritus of TiE, described the guests as ‘teammates’ based on the long term collaborative relationships built between those in attendance and the faculty at the University.

Mr Abdulnassir Ali of EPSON Middle East expressed his excitement on the existing relationship between EPSON and the University being extended into the area of robotics with the acquisition of two EPSON Industrial Robots by the Robotics Lab.

The first part of the session concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Middlesex University Dubai represented by Dr Cedwyn Fernandes, The Assembly represented by Prashant Gulati, and with EPSON represented by Mr Abdulnassir Ali.

Following the signing of the MoU by both parties, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the Robotics Lab, with a cake cutting performed by EPSON VT6 robot recently acquired by Middlesex University Dubai.

The guests were presented with various projects carried out by students from the University’s Foundation, Undergraduate, and Postgraduate programmes. Some of the highlights included an autonomous ground robot, tea making robot, balcony plant grower robot, hairdresser robot, multirotor drone, and UAV control centre software.

The audience was also impressed by the presentation by Musa Al Ansari, a student of Cambridge School who received mentoring in the Middlesex University Dubai Robotics Lab for his project on remote teleoperation for medical intervention, which won him the first prize at GEMS-X Junior competition.

In conclusion, Judhi Prasetyo reiterated that the Robotics Lab is not only for the benefit of Middlesex University Dubai students, but also a place for collaboration with other academic institutions, and industry organisations.

For more details, please visit: https://www.mdx.ac.ae/courses/school-of-science-and-technology/computer-engineering-and-informatics.