Alliance unveiled on the sidelines of the 19th Dubai International Food Safety Conference
November 20, 2025, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): Canadian University Dubai (CUD) Chancellor, Mr. Buti Saeed Al Ghandi, President and Vice Chancellor, Professor Karim Chelli, and Acting CEO of the Environment, Health and Safety Agency at Dubai Municipality, Dr. Naseem Abdulla, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) marking the launch of a collaboration to advance research and innovation in environment, health and safety. Announced on the sidelines of the 19th Dubai International Food Safety Conference, the agreement aims to elevate research excellence, advance best practices in food safety, and drive high-impact knowledge exchange, while empowering youth and fostering community engagement across diverse segments of society.
Established to build a structured framework for cooperation, the partnership will promote joint development of ideas and solutions to address key challenges and opportunities in environment, health, safety and related matters. A central focus of the agreement is the advancement of food safety through shared expertise in food inspection and control. CUD and Dubai Municipality will collaborate to implement international best practices and standards, enabling more effective monitoring and regulation of food products.
Through research and technical consultation, the parties will work together to enhance intellectual property rights, promote innovation partnerships, and encourage a culture of learning, creativity, and knowledge sharing. This will include the integration of artificial intelligence and data-driven technologies to improve inspection efficiency, assess food-related risks, and predict potential vulnerabilities across complex supply chains. The two entities will also jointly prepare and publish scientific studies and specialized research, contributing to global knowledge in the field.
Central to the agreement are the principles of youth empowerment and community engagement. Dubai Municipality will offer CUD students hands-on experience to tackle real-world challenges in the field, with the aim of equipping emerging talent with the practical skills and professional insights to lead the ongoing evolution in food-related systems. The parties will further create platforms for communication across public and private sectors, fostering open dialogue, collaboration, and opportunities for co-creation and knowledge sharing.
Under the MoU, Dubai Municipality will identify relevant research topics, generating ideas aligned with its strategic priorities, and sharing existing studies that support ongoing food safety initiatives. The Municipality will also propose project ideas for university students, provide essential information to guide project development, establish innovation laboratories, and organize events that promote creativity and knowledge exchange. It will also support the registration of joint intellectual property, recognizing innovators whose ideas lead to meaningful impact.
The collaboration will see CUD participate in innovation labs and knowledge-sharing events, and provide workshops on innovation, research, and food safety specializations, while enabling students to conduct targeted studies that address challenges identified by the Municipality. The university will deliver research-based solutions and recommendations, and present innovative projects for evaluation and potential adoption by the Municipality.
Commenting on the partnership, Dr. Aseel Takshe, Acting Dean of the School of Health Sciences and Psychology at CUD, said, “We are proud to collaborate with Dubai Municipality to integrate academic research with real-world application. This MoU creates new opportunities for joint research and impactful learning experiences, through which our faculty and students will contribute to innovative solutions in food safety. Together we will empower the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of safe and sustainable practices in the food industry.”
On this occasion, Dr Naseem Mohammed Rafee, Acting CEO of the Environment, Health and Safety Agency at Dubai Municipality, said: “Through this partnership, Dubai Municipality strengthens its commitment to advancing pioneering, science-based systems that safeguard public health and enhance the sustainability of our food ecosystem. By integrating academic research with real-world municipal priorities, we are creating a framework that supports innovation, develops national talent, and reinforces Dubai’s position as a global leader in future-ready health and safety practices. This collaboration enables us to jointly develop solutions that elevate food safety standards, promote proactive risk management, and ensure a high quality of life for all members of our community.”
Speaking on the significance of the partnership, Professor Chelli said, “This collaboration reflects our commitment to aligning academic research with national priorities and contributing to Dubai’s vision for a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future. By partnering with Dubai Municipality, we are creating new pathways for research, innovation, and experiential learning that will empower our students and faculty to make meaningful contributions to society. Together, we aim to advance food safety standards and develop solutions that have a lasting impact on the wellbeing of communities across the UAE.”