GMIS and University of Pittsburgh to advance R&D efforts in manufacturing

The Swanson School of Engineering will also help to develop a programme for future industry leaders

A smelter at Emirates Steel's plant in Musaffah, Abu Dhabi. The University of Pittsburgh and the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit will work together on a programme to help shape futurShow more

The Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS) and The University of Pittsburgh signed an agreement to advance research collaboration and knowledge-sharing in technology, manufacturing and education.

Under the partnership, GMIS and the university's Swanson School of Engineering will explore opportunities to encourage research and development in manufacturing, develop academic papers and facilitate knowledge exchange between different universities and educational institutes worldwide, GMIS said in a statement on Monday.

"The city of Pittsburgh is a major centre for technological innovation and advanced manufacturing in the United States and across the world, and this partnership will provide a platform for us to jointly showcase best practices from the city on the world stage," GMIS managing director Namir Hourani said. The agreement comes after the UAE revealed plans to increase the manufacturing sector's contribution to its gross domestic product to Dh300bn over the next decade, from Dh133 billion currently.

GMIS is a joint initiative between the UAE government and the UN Industrial Development Organisation that was set up in 2015 to encourage collaboration between the public and private sectors in adopting new technology to make manufacturing processes more efficient.

Its ties with Pittsburgh began last year after GMIS said it will take its event model to cities around the world that are keen on promoting sustainable industrial development. The US city is an early-20th century industrial capital that is turning into a hub for artificial intelligence and robotics and is hosting the inaugural GMIS America event in 2021.

The partnership with the university is designed to further the two organisations’ goals to drive sustainable innovation that will help reshape the global manufacturing landscape, better serving economies, industry, and civil society, the statement said.

"Pittsburgh was the burning heart of the Second Industrial Revolution and the past three decades of re-invention have shown how our region has once again established itself as the nexus for creating new knowledge that improves the human condition," James Martin, dean of the Swanson School of Engineering, said.

The University of Pittsburgh will also work with GMIS on the development of its leadership programme, focused on shaping future global leaders for the sector. The Swanson School will help to develop the programme's curriculum and support research activities, as well as engaging with industry stakeholders.