Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) of Dubai and W Motors have forged partnership to drive innovation in the mobility sector, through joint initiatives in education, professional training and research and development.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Yousef Al Assaf, RIT Dubai President, and Ralf Debbas, Founder & CEO of W Motors. The agreement 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.
As part of their commitment to advance innovation in the automotive and mobility sectors, the partnership creates a framework for academic-industry research and the incubation of new technologies and solutions.
Under the partnership, RIT Dubai students will get the wonderful opportunity to gain unique insights into the industry through internships and experiential learning. On the other hand, W Motors employees will have access to customized academic and executive development programs at the university. The goal is to cultivate future leaders and empower the next generation of innovators.
Dr. Yousef Al Assaf President – RIT Dubai
“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, established its HQ in Dubai in 2012, is a leader in the automotive industry. It is the company behind the GHIATH program, which was originally developed for Dubai Police, delivering specialized turnkey mobility solutions focused on security, defense 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 equip RIT students with hands-on experience of real-world industry operations and advanced technologies in its niche segment of the automotive market.
Ralf Debbas added that, “We are excited to formalize 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.
