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The University of Sharjah announced that Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi officially opened the facility by unveiling its dedicated building equipped with advanced digital manufacturing tools. The hub incorporates 3D printing laser cutting and engraving systems along with digital control devices robotic systems and drones according to the announcement. University officials described the opening as a key step in embedding innovation within the academic environment while supporting prototype development and product creation.
Facilities within the hub encompass specialised laboratories and workshops focused on design artificial intelligence and computing electronics additive manufacturing advanced materials woodworking CNC manufacturing and metalworking the university reported. The site also houses the Sharjah Digital Fabrication Lab which represents the first such facility in the emirate to join the international network of digital fabrication laboratories originally launched by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This integration provides access to a global community of makers and innovators the statement added.
The development aligns with the University of Sharjah’s broader strategy to cultivate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship through a dedicated startup policy available to both students and faculty members. The hub aims to establish a supportive ecosystem that encourages collaboration with external agencies in training a new cohort of technology-driven entrepreneurs according to university descriptions. It functions as a central platform for innovation entrepreneurship and the transfer of technology from research into practical applications.
Partnership aspects with e& are intended to accelerate advancements in knowledge generation invention creation patent development and the conversion of student ideas into viable business ventures the university said. Such collaboration seeks to strengthen the local innovation landscape by bridging academic research with industry capabilities and market opportunities. The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to position Sharjah as a hub for technological progress and economic diversification.
Key figures present at the inauguration included Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi director general of the Sharjah Digital Department Masood Sharif Mahmood chief executive of e& and Rashid Ali Al Ali executive director of the Sharjah Communication Technologies Authority. Prof. Esameldin Agamy chancellor of the University of Sharjah attended alongside other university and government officials the statement noted. Their participation underscored the cross-sector support for the project’s objectives.
At the conclusion of the event Al Qasimi received a commemorative 3D-printed model of the university’s main building and presented a similar gift to the e& delegation before posing for official photographs. The launch builds on prior regional advancements such as the AI Hub unveiled by the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park in March 2026 according to the Emirates News Agency. These cumulative steps reflect sustained investment in infrastructure that connects education research and commercial application across the emirate.
