RIT Dubai and W Motors forge partnership to drive innovation in mobility
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) of Dubai and W Motors have established a partnership to promote innovation in the mobility sector, through joint initiatives in education, professional training and research and development. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the university and the region’s first manufacturer of high-performance luxury vehicles and mobility solutions provider has been established to align with the UAE’s vision to foster collaboration between academia and the private sector.
Aiming to advance innovation in the automotive and mobility sectors, the partnership sets a framework for academic-industry research and the incubation of new technologies and solutions. RIT Dubai students will have the opportunity to gain unique insights into the industry through internships and experiential learning, and W Motors employees will have access to customised academic and executive development programmes at the university. This goal is to contribute to the growth and skills of future leaders and inspire the next generation of innovators.
Having established its HQ in Dubai in 2012, W Motors is a pioneer in the automotive industry as a complete mobility solutions provider. It is also the company behind the GHIATH programme, which was originally developed for Dubai Police, delivering specialised turnkey mobility solutions focused on security, defence and smart technologies.
Headquartered close to the university campus in Dubai Silicon Oasis in a first-of-its-kind facility for the Middle East, W Motors will offer RIT students hands-on experience of real-world industry operations and cutting-edge technologies in its niche segment of the automotive market.
The partnership was formalised with an MoU signing by RIT Dubai President, Dr Yousef Al Assaf, and Founder & CEO of W Motors, Ralf Debbas. Speaking about the collaboration, Dr Al Assaf says, “We are delighted to join with W Motors to drive innovation in this high-value sector. This is an outstanding opportunity for students to develop their skills with the latest industry-standard equipment and technology, which reflects the reputation of RIT Dubai as an environment that encourages creativity and invention.
"As a true pioneer in the field, W Motors is positioned to shape the future of automotive manufacturing in the region, and we look forward to being part of this by providing academic support in research and development and growing the future workforce through higher education and internships.”
W Motors’ Debbas comments, “We are excited to formalise this partnership with RIT Dubai. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in our commitment to driving innovation in the automotive and mobility sectors. By aligning with RIT, we are not only contributing to the UAE’s vision of fostering academic-private sector collaboration but also investing in the future of our industry.
"We aim to empower the next generation of innovators and equip them with the skills and insights needed to shape the future of mobility. At W Motors, we believe that the fusion of cutting-edge technologies and academic excellence is key to unlocking new possibilities, and we are proud to work alongside RIT to make this vision a reality.
