The Ministry of Finance UAE (MoF) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the University of Sharjah to strengthen strategic and institutional cooperation in open data and financial data analytics.
The agreement aims to support the development of forward-looking financial policies, enhance knowledge partnerships, and facilitate the exchange of expertise and best practices between the government and academic sectors.
The MoU was signed at the Ministry’s headquarters in Dubai by HE Younis Haji AlKhoori, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance, and HE Prof. Esameldin Agami, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, in the presence of senior officials from both entities.
“The cooperation with the University of Sharjah will contribute to producing specialized studies and in-depth analyses based on open data, providing strategic insights to support decision-makers. It will also help build specialized national capabilities in data analytics and financial auditing. Furthermore, this initiative will promote a culture of institutional innovation and create opportunities for students and researchers to actively contribute to the development of innovative financial solutions that fuel the country’s comprehensive development journey.”
The initiative will also contribute to building an integrated financial data management ecosystem grounded in transparency, openness, and innovation.
Prof. Esameldin Agami highlighted that, “Our collaboration with the Ministry of Finance provides students and faculty with opportunities to engage in research projects with tangible impact, while strengthening their professional capabilities and preparing them for the evolving labor market. This would further reinforce the University of Sharjah’s position as a leading academic institution committed to playing a key role in realizing the sustainable development goals.”
The MoU establishes a comprehensive framework for collaboration, focusing on analyzing open data to produce research studies, financial foresight reports, legislative impact assessments, and benchmarking analyses.
It also includes initiatives such as hackathons, specialized workshops, and the development of analytical models and dashboards to improve financial transparency.
Additionally, the agreement enables closer integration between the two entities through the involvement of academic experts in designing innovative, data-driven solutions.
Ministry of Finance representatives will also contribute to advisory committees and curriculum development, ensuring alignment between academic programs and market needs.
Regular evaluations and performance indicators will be implemented to measure the effectiveness of joint initiatives and ensure continuous improvement in delivering high-quality financial insights and reporting tools.
The collaboration reflects a broader strategy to foster innovation, enhance financial literacy, and build national capabilities in data analytics and financial auditing.
