Keynotes
Blockchain Insights from the UAE: The Country of Possibilities
Abstract
The talk provides an insight into blockchain use in Dubai and the UAE. It starts with insights into the thought leadership and Initiative from the creation of the Ministry of Possibilities to the establishment of Area 2071 and the Blockchain Center and Strategy.
The talk also includes findings supported in reports created and supported by the center and this includes reports on Learnings from the UAE through a publication called: How to navigate blockchain projects. It also covers case studies from the UAE in using blockchain technology as well as Tokinisation and Digital Assets. The talk finishes with talking about UAE’s Digital Identity project called UAE Pass as well as covering the latest happenings in the UAE from Laws, Regulations, and Upcoming events.
Curriculum Vitae
Dr. Marwan Alzarouni is an internationally recognized blockchain technology advocate, keynote speaker and strategic advisor to companies and governments.
He is one of the world's most highly respected voices when it comes to blockchain use cases for both governments and businesses.
Dr. Alzarouni is the CEO of Dubai Blockchain Center (DBCC), an impact business and a strategic partner to Dubai Future Foundation. The center was
inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum under the Area 2071 initiative in May 2018. It aims to create a fertile ground
and a holistic ecosystem for blockchain companies and projects to thrive in. DBCC regularly hosts a number of blockchain startups within Area 2071
and also conducts educational classes and seminars around blockchain use cases in government and private sector. In Partnership with Smart Dubai and
Educhain, the center published a groundbreaking report on blockchain best practices titled: Blockchain Insights: How to Navigate Blockchain Project
Implementation. An exploration of common challenges with learnings and recommendations for successful execution.
Dr. Marwan is currently heading the Digital Asset Task Force (DATF), a research and advisory team that reports to the Dubai Future Council for Blockchain,
on which he is also one of its 15 members. The purpose of the task force is to conduct a comprehensive study to provide clear guidance on how digital assets
can be encouraged and regulated. The council establishes Dubai as a global blockchain capital, offering a prominent platform for decision-makers from various
local and international governments and private sector entities to explore futuristic, blockchain-based solutions.
Dr. Alzarouni is also the Managing Partner at Accelliance Consultancy LTD which provides its services to the UAE's Center for 4th Industrial Revolution (C4IR)
and the World Economic Forum (WEF). Accelliance regularly conducts research and studies into the applicable use cases for blockchain technology and aids in
creating toolkits that can be tested and implemented by various businesses and government entities worldwide.
Dr. Marwan is a regular on informative TV shows, radio, podcasts and YouTube videos. He provides his expert opinions to the media when it comes to expert commentary
on news and events related to blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.
Dr. Alzarouni has written a number of well-regarded publications in academia and commercially. This includes but is not limited to papers in cyber security,
mobile phone forensics, information superiority and blockchain technology.
How industry 4.0 will shape the University of the Future and Simulation and Modelling Programs
Abstract
To be added
Curriculum Vitae
Dr. Al-Assaf had his BS degree in Electrical Engineering from Sussex University in the UK in 1984 and his PhD from Oxford University in Control Engineering in 1988. Dr. Al-Assaf got his leadership training from Cornell University in the USA in 2008.
He is currently President of Rochester Institute of Technology- Dubai, a leading not for profit international branch of RIT Rochester, New York. RIT Dubai University is established in conjunction with the Government of Dubai in Dubai Silicon Oasis. Prior to this role he was Dean of the College of Engineering at the American University of Sharjah where he was one of the founding members of the electrical and computer engineering programs.
During his tenure at Rochester Institute of Technology- Dubai, he has ensured that the university plays a major role in the ecosystem of Dubai Silicon Oasis and support the achievements of Dubai vision goals. He introduced a number of new programs, certifications and initiatives to meet the needs of public and private partners including: Smart City Sciences, Data Analytics, Corporate and Customer Happiness, AI, Future Foresight and Planning, Computing Security and Sustainability among others. He led the creation of the innovation and entrepreneurship journey where students would have more experiential learning experiences and would be more prepared for industry 4 based future by having their own startups, making new smart solutions, and become agents of innovation in their organization. He led the design and creation of the university new smart, sustainable, innovative and connected campus.
Dr. Al-Assaf's recent co-authored publication is the Arabic book entitled “New Digital Deal: How to utilize digitalization for the benefits of our communities and cities”. The book defines the strategy and the blocks needed to create a smart city and present a practical roadmap of implementation while presenting international best practices that can be adopted and failures to be avoided. The book also discusses the experiences of Arab countries towards becoming smart cities and debates citizens’ involvement and values in doing that. Dr. Al-Assaf’s research focuses on self-tuning and predictive control and using soft computing and data modelling to control various industrial, business and medical systems. Applications include materials modeling and classification, prostheses control, industrial quality control and optimization. His industrial experience is in the areas of adaptive and predictive control, soft computing and industrial instrumentation and control.
Dubai, UAE
