S03 HSSRME 2 2021 HSE UAE FORUM 1_Layout 1 30/06/2021 11:08 Page 9
HSE UAE Forum
Advancing HSE
through collaboration
“The outcomes of these agreements have opened new opportunities for students, faculties and industry partners.”
ABOVE: Dr Rahaf Ajaj, assistant professor in EHS, College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University.
ISSUE 2 2021 | www.hssreview.me
What role can collaboration between academia and industry play in driving solutions to HSE issues, and are there any examples you could highlight relating to the UAE or the wider region? There is an apparent gap between academia and the industrial sector. Collaboration is needed to play a significant role in deriving relevant solutions through collaborative research projects, to qualify students with updated practical knowledge and prepare them to best fit the market's needs. To achieve a better standard of life quality and welfare, it is crucial to establish a strong linkage between theoretical knowledge (in academia) and practice (in the market), and train students to reflect on the learning outcomes of health and safety in real life. Collaborations between universities and industries have made significant progress over the past years. Some of the more obvious reasons include the advanced technological changes that have presented different hazards in the workplace, as well as the growing interest in ethics and corporate responsibility. Universities need to see the results from their research put into practice. At the end of the day, it is mutually beneficial to collaborate, and there are excellent examples of successful collaboration between universities and industry partners. For example, the College of Health Sciences at Abu Dhabi University recently signed many MoUs with multiple medical and industrial sectors. The outcomes of these agreements are motivating and have opened new opportunities for students, faculties and industry partners.
Image Credit: Dr. Rahaf Ajaj
Dr Rahaf Ajaj, assistant professor in EHS, College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, shares her thoughts on the role of academia/industry collaboration in advancing HSE.
What do you think are the main ingredients for effective and successful industry/academia collaboration? One of the most crucial aspects of effective collaboration is identifying the purpose, goals, and objectives it is hoped to accomplish. A mindset focusing on the problem-solution trail is a crucial element in which creativity and innovation are critical ingredients for success. Clear and effective communication, based on transparency, is an effective tool. Long-term thinking, mutual trust, respect, objectivity and accountability are other
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