Zayed University launches the third annual QRS

DUBAI, UAE - Feb. 2, 2017 - PRLog -- Zayed University launched the third annual UAE Quantitative Research Symposium (QRS) that brought together UAE-based researchers with their international counterparts in Dubai campus on January 28 and 29.

Organized by the College of Business at Zayed University and the Association of Accountants and Financial Professionals in Business, the two-day conference saw a welcoming video by Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of State for Tolerance and President of Zayed University.

Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna pointed out that innovation is the cornerstone on which we  build our future and ensure a brighter future for generations to come, in line with the directives of the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who declared 2015 as the 'Year of Innovation' to provide a nurturing environment for innovation  and according to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who said earlier: "The future will be for those who adopt innovation."

This came during the third annual QRS held under the patronage and in the presence of Sheikha Shamma Bint Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyanin efforts to promote world-class quantitative research and develop a research culture of excellence.

Furthermore, the two-day symposium displayed a video by Her Excellency Shamma Bint Suhail Bin Fares Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth, who praised Sheikha Shamma's efforts in constantly creating innovative channels and ground-breaking initiatives that influence lives of children in the UAE, Middle East and Africa and reflect a profound human compassion.

Sheikha Shamma Al Nahyan, a Zayed University graduate, inaugurated the sustainability session. She pointed out that sustainability is very crucial and can trigger a heated discussion. The UAE leadership plays a great role in driving sustainability and ensuring sustainable development through UAE Vision 2021 and 2030. "Its goal is to build a vibrant knowledge economy," she said.

During the session, panelists discussed sustainability in line with the UAE Vision 2030, increasing the SME sector by encouraging social entrepreneurship and encouraging youth to be sustainable in both their professional and personal lives.

Professor Paul Williams, Dean of the College of Business at Zayed University, said: "This high caliber event unites faculty from five different universities across the UAE. We also have scholars who flew in from France, Germany, Spain, the UK, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, and the US to present their research."

He added: "We further have a great array of speakers from the private and the non-governmental sectors with us today. I would like to thank IMA for their generous support of this event. I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Sheikha Shamma Bint Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, who is supporting our research symposium for the second time."

During the symposium, best papers were awarded and recognized. The best paper received the Florencio Lopez-de-Silanes Award, named after the keynote speaker of the 2016 symposium, who has been repeatedly distinguished for research achievements.

William Megginson, Professor at the University of Oklahoma and a keynote speaker at the QRS, said: "The papers have been intellectually very good and strong and the non-academic presentations were also very informative. I would recommend to engage more students in future symposiums to build a great audience and exchange knowledge and skills in all fields of business."

Also were present at the symposium, Francesco Caselli, Professor at London School of Economics, who gave a keynote speech on technology choice differences across countries and time.

"We are honored to have two world-class scholars, like Professors Megginson and Caselli as our keynote speakers this year. they are true pioneers in their respective fields and their research has inspired the works of not only Zayed University faculty, but also the academic studies by researchers across the country and the world," Kerim Arin and Christina Zenker, faculty members at the College of Business and members of the organizing committee, said.

The symposium also saw the participation of the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), the American University of Sharjah (AUS), and the American University in Dubai (AUD).

ENDS//

About Zayed University

Zayed University is today the premier national university in the United Arab Emirates and a regional leader in educational innovation and change. It has created and implemented a skills-rich, outcome-based general education program that systemically develops student skills, knowledge, and values associated with liberal learning and provided a solid foundation for pursuit of disciplinary majors and future careers. Zayed University welcomes national and international students, and provides them with a high quality education, offered by seasoned teaching scholars to prepare them to shape the future of the United Arab Emirates.

Zayed University offers Undergraduate and Graduate degrees in the following Colleges: College of Arts & Creative Enterprises (recognized as substantially equivalent by NASAD), College of Business (Accredited by AACSB), College of Communication & Media Sciences (Accredited by ACEJMC), College of Education (Accredited by NCATE), College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Natural and Health Sciences, and College of Technological Innovation (Accredited by ABET). For more information, visit www.zu.ac.ae

Media contacts: Sara Sabry, Media Relations Specialist at the Office of the Vice President at Zayed University

Dir-Tel: 025993630

Mobile: 0566561059

E-mail: Sara.Hassan@zu.ac.ae

Web: www.zu.ac.ae