ABU DHABI, 5th July, 2021 (WAM) — The Ministry of Defence has honoured a group of male and female officers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers, civilians, retired personnel and recruits of the National Service from different specialisations for winning the 5th edition of the UAE Armed Forces Excellence and Innovation Award.

The ceremony was attended by Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Matar Salim Ali Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defense, and a number of high-ranking officers.

Addressing the ceremony, Major General Dr. Mubarak Al Jabri, Assistant Undersecretary for Support and Defence Industries, Ministry of Defence, and Chairman of the Award’s Higher Committee,
said the winning works will be developed into value-added products that benefit ”our armed forces and the national defence industries.”

Mohammed Al Bowardi also attended a ceremony for signing a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Defence and the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), an overarching advanced technology research body in Abu Dhabi, to promote the culture of scientific research and innovation and exchange of knowledge and expertise.

Inked by Major General Dr. Mubarak Saeed Ghafan Al Jabri, Assistant Undersecretary for Support and Defence Industries, Ministry of Defence, and Faisal Al Bannai, Secretary General of the ATRC, the partnership will encourage conducting advanced technology research that elevate the UAE’s position as a leading regional hub for the AI community.

Founded in 2018, the award aims to foster excellence and innovation among the UAE Armed Forces officers and personnel.