TRENDS Research & Advisory commenced its new research tour in the British capital, London, by announcing the opening of the TRENDS Virtual Office in the United Kingdom in collaboration with the University of Cambridge.

At the opening event, the TRENDS delegation presented an overview of the center’s vision and objectives behind launching the virtual office, emphasizing its vital role in enhancing scientific research and academic collaboration. The delegation, led by Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research and Advisory, alongside senior officials from the University of Cambridge—including Prof. Tim Minshall, the Dr. John C. Taylor Professor of Innovation and Head of the Institute for Manufacturing; Prof. Mukesh Kumar, Head of the Industrial Resilience Research Group at the university; and Prof. Kamiar Mohaddes, Deputy Director of the Cambridge Executive MBA Programme—discussed the role and significance of think tanks and scientific research centers, as well as the importance of synergy between these institutions and academic entities. They highlighted how such collaborations contribute to research efforts, provide insights, understand and anticipate events, and address global issues related to future foresight.

Global Presence

Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali stated that the launch of the TRENDS Virtual Office in Cambridge, UK, aims to expand the international presence of TRENDS and reinforce its position as a leading global think tank. The initiative seeks to enhance research and academic cooperation between TRENDS and British research and academic institutions in various fields, especially technology, artificial intelligence, and countering extremism. It also aims to leverage the intellectual expertise available at the University of Cambridge and other UK research and academic institutions to enrich TRENDS’ intellectual output and establish new research partnerships. These partnerships will strengthen TRENDS’ role as a bridge for global cultural dialogue and a trusted advisory hub.

Dr. Mohammed Al-Ali pointed out that through this office, TRENDS aims to support young researchers and provide them with opportunities to engage constructively with esteemed research and academic institutions.

The CEO of TRENDS explained that this office aligns with TRENDS’ research vision and its aspiration to serve as a global knowledge hub. He pointed out that it will support the headquarters in Abu Dhabi with research, studies, and scientific reports, in addition to facilitating communication with academic experts and think tanks in the United Kingdom.

Knowledge and Expertise Exchange

Sara Mohammed, Director of TRENDS Office at Cambridge, UK, said that the launch of the office is a significant step towards strengthening collaboration and partnerships between TRENDS and the renowned University of Cambridge. She stated that the office aims to strengthen global connections between TRENDS’ international offices and enhance its close affiliation with the Cambridge network. Sara Mohammed emphasized that the office seeks to leverage Cambridge’s academic and scientific ecosystem to organize specialized workshops, expert-led symposiums, and sponsor hackathon competitions focused on real-world challenges. The initiative also aims to harness artificial intelligence to address these challenges and inspire future generations.

The Importance of Collaboration

Professor Tim Minshall, the Dr. John C. Taylor Professor of Innovation and Head of the Institute for Manufacturing at the University of Cambridge, delivered a speech welcoming the collaboration with TRENDS. He discussed the role of the Institute for Manufacturing in advancing manufacturing research and supporting innovation, emphasizing the importance of research collaboration between academic institutions and think tanks.

Gift Exchange

On the sidelines of the office inauguration, publications were exchanged between TRENDS Research & Advisory and the prestigious University of Cambridge. TRENDS presented the university library with a distinguished collection of its research publications in multiple languages, covering topics such as artificial intelligence, innovation, and sustainability. Additionally, TRENDS gifted a selection of books from the Encyclopedia of the Muslim Brotherhood, which critically examines the group’s extremist views and exposes its destructive ideology.

A Valuable Knowledge Source

Officials at the University of Cambridge Library expressed their appreciation for this initiative, commending TRENDS’ research efforts and the high quality of its publications. They affirmed that these books offer an academic window into regional and Middle Eastern issues.