Dubai: In collaboration with Swissnex, the Swiss Embassy in the United Arab Emirates and the Swiss Business Hub Middle East, the Swiss pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai brought together experts from Swiss and UAE universities, private companies and public stakeholders at the ‘Smart Connected Cities,’ event in the pavilion. This collaboration aims to discuss and find effective ways to improve the way we manage the challenges of growing and densifying cities.
Swiss and Emirati researchers presented innovative projects in the presence of academic and industrial partners. The event also highlighted innovative projects in the field of smart connectivity and mobility, some of which have already been implemented in Switzerland and can be replicated worldwide, including in the MENA region.
Mr. Dante Larini, Swissnex Project Manager at the Swiss Pavilion, said: “International collaborations through technology, which offer connected solutions to meet the growing demands of a growing population and the consequent density of spaces of life, are the only way to face above challenges.
The conference was organized by Leading House MENA, hosted by the University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland (HES-SO). The main objective of the HES-SO is to support scientific collaboration between universities in Switzerland and the MENA region.
Mr. Larini added: “The event was an eye-opener on how technology can bring a step change in the management of cities and the daily lives of its inhabitants in a seamless way”,
Speakers at the event included HE Massimo Baggi, Ambassador of Switzerland to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, Dr. Christine Pirinoli, Vice Rector for Research and Innovation, HESSO.
A keynote address on “cyber-physical spaces: vision and opportunities” was delivered by Dr.-Ing. dress. Josef Spillner from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), followed by a speech on “Supporting cooperation between Switzerland and the MENA region”, by Dr. Luna Iacopini, Leading House MENA. A ZHAW-University of Sharjah collaboration was also showcased at the event.
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About the Swiss Pavilion:
Switzerland was the first country to confirm its participation in Expo 2020 Dubai. The Swiss Pavilion offers a unique encounter with Switzerland. It showcases Switzerland as a country of beauty and a leading hub of technology and innovation by showcasing the excellence of Swiss universities, start-ups and companies and by creating joint events with local partners.
The Swiss Pavilion is based on a public-private partnership model. It promotes the economic capacity and attractiveness of Switzerland to the UAE, the main trading partner of the Middle East. It highlights its high quality products and services with its partners Schindler, Rolex SA, Switzerland Tourism, Roche, Clariant, Novartis, Nestlé and KGS Diamond Group SA and its suppliers. Presence Switzerland oversees the Swiss Pavilion. It is the unit of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, which is responsible for the image of Switzerland abroad and the official presence of Switzerland in international events, such as universal exhibitions.
The selected project ‘Reflections’ was designed by the Swiss project team OOS AG (architecture), Bellprat Partner AG (scenography) and Lorenz Eugster Landscaping GmbH (landscaping) and realized by general contractor Expomobilia.
About Swissnex:
Swissnex is the global network connecting Switzerland and the world in the fields of education, research and innovation. At the Swiss pavilion, Swissnex presents content based on the Expo’s theme weeks, which are linked to the Sustainable UN. Development goals. Swiss universities, start-ups and innovative companies will highlight their research and inventions through temporary exhibitions and presentations to the public. Additionally, panels, workshops, pitch competitions and networking events will take place at the event space and on the rooftop terrace.
Swissnex at the Swiss pavilion also aims to connect our Swiss partners with equivalents from the United Arab Emirates, the Middle East and other national pavilions. By inviting local and international researchers and students to events and workshops, the Swiss Pavilion positions itself as a hub for communication and the creation of new collaborative partnerships.
For the latest news and updates on the Swiss Pavilion, follow us on:
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Website: www.swisspavilion.org
For media inquiries regarding the Swiss Pavilion, please contact:
Rana Radwan
Regional communication manager
[email protected]
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Saad Aquel
3rd Floor Public Relations
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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