Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, President of the University of Sharjah, the University of Sharjah (UoS) launched the first International Alumni Conference, which is held under the slogan “Empowering Employment in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” The event aims to explore the opportunities and challenges facing university graduates in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), with the participation of an elite group of officials and specialists from the public and private sectors, decision-makers, entrepreneurs and experts in the field of AI. The conference was held on Wednesday and Thursday, January 22 and 23, at the University City Hall.

In his opening speech, His Excellency Professor Hamid M. K.  Al Naimiy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, welcomed the attendees and extended his thanks and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, President of the University of Sharjah, for his patronage and support for the University's various activities, and stressed the University's commitment to upholding its pioneering role in promoting science and knowledge, and supporting and empowering its alumni in their various fields.

His Excellency added that this conference is not only a scientific gathering, but it is a global strategic platform that aims to enhance the exchange of knowledge and experiences among participants from various scientific and professional disciplines. He also stressed that through this conference, the University seeks to achieve a set of goals that are in line with the vision and mission of the University of Sharjah, most notably enhancing the preparedness of its alumni for the labor market by empowering them with tools and skills that keep pace with the demands of the age of AI, opening new horizons for scientific and societal cooperation, by strengthening partnerships with the public and private sectors, addressing key issues of employment and entrepreneurship, by studying the impact of artificial intelligence on the economy and the labor market, providing innovative solutions, and building a global network of professional and scientific relations to contribute to enhancing the cooperation between UoS alumni and their colleagues from all over the world.

His Excellency, the Chancellor then discussed a number of statistics related to the University since its establishment and the remarkable development it has achieved in a short period, compared to the age of other major universities. He discussed the number of colleges and academic and professional programs offered by the University. He highlighted that these undergraduate and graduate programs have received local and international accreditation and UoS focuses on innovative programs that keep pace with global developments and meet market needs. In addition, he highlighted the University's achievements and its rise in international rankings.

During his speech, His Excellency presented an overview of the National Scholars Program adopted by the University in its current strategic plan, which aims to attract high-achieving students and graduates and provide them with the academic training required to become scientists and researchers and members of the University faculty in the future.

Professor Amal Al Ali, chair of the conference organizing committee and director of the University's Alumni Association office, explained during her speech that the conference is distinguished by integrating the academic scientific aspect, through research papers submitted by graduates to the conference's scientific committee, with practices in the labor and industrial sector.

Professor Al-Ali added that the conference’s scientific committee received a large number of research papers, and 40 research papers were accepted for discussion and presentation during the conference’s scientific sessions. The accepted papers focus on various fields such as: technology, medical and pharmaceutical sciences, business administration, law, and media. This is in addition to 10 workshops held over two days, as well as 17 discussion and scientific sessions in which 50 international speakers and specialists in the field of artificial intelligence and human resources participate, representing 40 countries. The event also features an employment fair with the participation of 60 public and private entities.

Then, His Excellency Abdullah Al Qaoud, Chief Operating Officer of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, gave an introductory overview of the digital transformation strategy in various countries, and the efforts made by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy in promoting knowledge-based economic growth, and adopting digital ideas and programs that companies may need in their field of work, stressing the importance of artificial intelligence and its future applications in the labor market and providing job opportunities for graduates. As for His Excellency Salem Omar, Regional Director of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), he praised the cooperation between the University of Sharjah and the organization, explaining the important role played by the organization in preserving human values through its cooperation with higher education and academic institutions.

The first keynote speaker, Dr. Amr Awadallah, Founder and CEO of Victara discussed a large number of models and applications that rely on the use of AI algorithms, and their interaction in the same way as the human mind interacts, which ultimately leads to saving time and effort. He was followed by the second keynote speaker, Ahmed El-Sherbiny, professor of Communications and Networks Systems at the Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, who gave an introductory presentation on the development and beginning of the uses of AI over the past decades, then the technological and information revolution that occurred in computer applications, cloud computing and information analysis, which had the most prominent impact on the innovation of many programs and applications based on AI in their current form. Professor El-Sherbiny stressed that the number of new jobs that will be added to the labor market as a result of reliance on AI is more than those jobs that will disappear from the labor market in the future.

The opening ceremony concluded with an expressive art show that explored the impact of AI on humans and the challenges facing the labor market as a result of the increasing reliance on AI. His Excellency Professor Al Naimiy honored the main speakers, Professor Amr Awadallah and Professor Ahmed Al-Sherbiny, and the sponsors, namely: Dubai Digital Chamber, Air Arabia, Centro Sharjah, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Sharjah Academy of Performing Arts, and Sharjah Safari.