Khalifa University and ATIC have today announced the appointment of Dr. Mohammed Ismail El Naggar as the Director for the ATIC-Khalifa University Semiconductor Research and Development Center at Khalifa University. In addition to his role as Director of the Center, Dr. El Naggar has been appointed to the ATIC Professorship Chair for Semiconductor Research at the University. This marks an important step towards connecting academic institutions in the Emirate with current research needs, which will help build advanced technologies and will establish a vital integrated semiconductor sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Dr. El Naggar is an internationally recognized scientist and academic in the technology and semiconductor sector. He has previously served as a Professor and Founding Director of the Analog VLSI Lab at Ohio State University, USA. He is also the co-founder of several companies which specialize in the technology sector, including Firstpass Technologies Inc., Microsys Inc. in Ohio, Spirea AB in Sweden and ANACAD in Egypt. He is also a developer of RF and mixed signal IPs and founder of IEEE’s International Conference on Electronics, Circuits and Systems (ICECS).

Commenting on the appointment, Professor Tod A. Laursen, President of Khalifa University said: “The creation of the ATIC Professorship falls in line with the Abu Dhabi vision 2030, specifically by working to develop the semiconductor industry as part of a greater effort to diversify the Abu Dhabi economy and create an environment conducive to innovation in the Emirate.”

The establishment of both the ATIC-Khalifa University Semiconductor Research and Development Center and the ATIC Professorship Chair position comes as a direct outcome of the strong working partnership developed between Khalifa University and ATIC, resulting from a previously announced Memorandum of Understanding. Furthermore, this new Director and Professorship Chair position will help develop a culture of innovation in academia and create a knowledge based economy in the Emirate. It will also provide greater opportunities for faculty and graduates to explore ‘system-on-a-chip’ integration, latest innovations, processes and new research opportunities in advanced technologies and the semiconductor sector. Many more leading specialized professors from around the world are also expected to join the ATIC Professorship Chair for Semiconductor Research at the University in the near future.

Sami Issa, Executive Director, Abu Dhabi Ecosystem Development Unit, ATIC said: “The appointment of Dr. El Naggar as Director of the new ATIC-Khalifa University Semiconductor Research and Development Center at Khalifa University, underlines our continued commitment to cooperate with world-class academic institutions and recruiting skilled workers to work in the Emirate. This will ensure that future generations of national workforce are able to contribute effectively to the advancement of the semiconductor sector, which is of vital importance to the future development of the Emirate.”

He added, “Dr. Naggar has a proven track record for aligning research with new entrepreneurial business opportunities that will be especially important as we work towards nurturing an R&D community in Abu Dhabi. This will in turn enable the future domestic work force to take up leadership roles in modern technologies and semiconductor sector. Without a doubt, attracting international experts of this level, will provide undergraduates and graduates a unique opportunity to learn and benefit from the experiences and knowledge from the best and brightest minds in the industry/ sector.”

Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Mohammed Ismail El Naggar said: “The establishment of the Research Center and the Professorship Chair will help us launch world-class semiconductor research and education programs at Khalifa University and provide our students with the skill-set needed in areas such as wireless chip sets, bio chips, and energy harvesting and wearable nano-electronics. The programs will train Emirati students and provide them with the tools they need to design, test and validate complex microchips.”

Dr. El Naggar was recently appointed as the Director of Khalifa University’s Sharjah Campus, a role he will carry out along with his new role as Director for the ATIC Semiconductor Research and Development Center and Professor at Khalifa University. Dr. El Naggar was awarded his PhD from the University of Manitoba, Canada. He also holds a professorship in integrated circuits for wireless communications at RaMSIS Group at KTH, Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden.
 

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