Memorandum of Understanding between Abu Dhabi Police GHQ and TRENDS Research and Advisory

The Saif bin Zayed Academy for Police and Security Sciences and TRENDS Research and Advisory signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the fields of scientific research and security and specialized training courses. The two sides intend to achieve their common objectives.

The agreement was signed at the Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters in Abu Dhabi. It was signed on behalf of the Academy by HE Major General Thani Butti Al Shamsi, Director of Saif Bin Zayed Academy for Police and Security Sciences and Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of the Center, in the presence of a number of officials from both sides.

The agreement came within the framework of the two sides' keenness to enhance cooperation in areas of common interest. They agreed on supporting and conducting original applied research based on evidence and facts. The two sides intend to use research to serve the community, and support policymakers.  The agreement shall and provide a formal and legal framework for communication, coordination and cooperation that enables them to achieve their common goals in research fields.

The memorandum stressed the role of scientific research in enhancing knowledge and the importance of highlighting this role in solving problems on the basis of scientific research.

The MoU between TRENDS and Abu Dhabi Police HQ. also stipulates increasing intellectual production, finding appropriate solutions to special problems in society. The two sides agreed to fulfil the requirements for obtaining certain degrees and delivering the assignments by senior management for both parties, The MOU provided for training the employees of both parties, developing their competencies and skills. They agreed to enhance the knowledge base and benefit from policy and research expertise. The agreement included the conduct of research, scientific journals, refereed and non-refereed research studies and working papers on topics of common interest. In addition, they agreed to run training courses and mutual exchange academic supervision. They shall participate in research conferences, seminars and exhibitions, whether at the local or international levels. The two sides shall develop data bases for knowledge in security areas to serve research purposes and activities.

The memorandum of cooperation between the Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters and TRENDS Center also included finding innovative solutions in exchanging sources and references, publications and support for events and activities. They also agreed to exchange experts and researchers from both parties in order to benefit from their expertise. The two sides shall encourage their experts and researchers to write monographs, prepare bulletins, post on their relevant websites and participate in mutual research events.

His Excellency Major General Thani Butti Al Shamsi said that the signing of this memorandum came in implementation of the vision of the wise leadership. It is intended to achieve the aspirations of the government, and is based on the keenness of the Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters to build a wide network of partnerships with reputable knowledge entities in the United Arab Emirates. He said that Abu Dhabi Police Headquarter focuses on the achievement of its strategies to develop an effective police force.

"We are proud to collaborate with a visionary think tank such as TRENDS Research and Advisory to achieve the common goals and provisions of this MoU” General Al Shamsi said.

Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research and Advisory, expressed his pleasure at signing this memorandum of understanding with the Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters. He stressed that the solidarity of scientific and academic research centers would deliver accurate and credible scientific products. He praised the efforts of Abu Dhabi Police and the Saif bin Zayed Academy for Police and Security Sciences for their important role in serving the scientific research community.

Dr. Al-Ali stressed that this agreement is another example of TRENDS' keenness to strengthen partnerships with academic institutions and research centers. The Center uses such cooperation to promote serious scientific research. The TRENDS CEO explained that TRENDS, despite its global outreach, has given priority to engagement with various bodies and institutions in the UAE. He said that the Center continues to provide its research, consultancy and training expertise to the local entities. This is based on TRENDS’ firm belief in its mission, and its awareness of the importance of harnessing research output for developing societies, and helping those interested in addressing various Challenges and issues.