Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
TRENDS Research & Advisory, the UAE’s leading research institution, wrapped up a fruitful year bagging numerous accolades and reaching key milestones in its mission to spearhead a cognitive journey to empower future leaders.
The year 2023 witnessed the research centre receiving the prestigious Emirates Award for Leadership in the Labor Market and the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair Award for Sustainability. TRENDS also broke the Guinness World Record for the largest fundamental research lesson in the past year.
According to its “2023 Harvest” report, TRENDS Research & Advisory issued 213 studies and research papers, published 14 original books, and 19 translated books. The Centre also issued 33 issues of economic and strategic series, political papers and lectures.
Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, the CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, said that the Centre has left a “unique knowledge imprint” and positioned itself as an influential global intellectual reference. In 2023, the Centre contributed effectively to research and studies, and delivered tailored training programmes that refine skills, Al-Ali noted.
The Centre achieved its Emiratisation targets, empowered youth in the research and other professional fields, and solidified its position globally through its activities, contributions, partnerships, and impactful international presence.
Al-Ali stressed that TRENDS has become “a model for everyone looking for excellence and innovation which is based on objective research with global orientation”.
2023: A Constructive Year
Al-Ali emphasised that the Centre’s achievements in 2023 was “rich, diverse, and encouraging”, exceeding its goals with high efficiency.
As part of its efforts to expand its global outreach and facilitate communication with research and think tanks across the world, TRENDS opened offices in Cairo and Rabat in 2023. The new office extensions follow the opening of its Dubai office. This network is part of a plan that includes five TRENDS offices around the world that support the headquarters in Abu Dhabi with research, studies and scientific reports.
“This success boosts our determination to anticipate the future and participate in its making through genuine research and knowledge products that keeps abreast with emerging events, analysing emerging issues, and delivering effective solutions,” Al-Ali said.
The CEO highlighted that TRENDS won the Emirates Award for Leadership in the Labor Market in its first session, won the Sustainability Award, achieved Guinness World Records, obtained the ISO 9001 Quality Management System (QMS) certification, won the Best Global Pavilion Award at the Nairobi International Book Fair 2023, and ranked among the top 10 think tanks in the global classification of research and think tanks.
Furthermore, TRENDS’ studies have been topping the international research and intellectual publication output.
The CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory has been designated as a member of the Advisory Board of Emirates Academy for Identity and Citizenship, and a member of the research group at the University of Sharjah. These moves came in recognition of Trends’ pioneering research role.
Al-Ali expressed his appreciation for the efforts of “the entire Trends family” in all sectors, departments, administrations, and individuals, affiliate bodies, supporting partners, media, experts and consultants.
Exceptional Achievements
TRENDS Research & Advisory was prominently involved in global events, including the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), hosted by the UAE from November 30 to December 12 at Expo 2020 Dubai.
The Centre organised 15 practical and knowledge events with the participation of ministers and high-ranking officials. Those activities aimed at promoting sustainability concepts and raising environmental awareness, as well as delivering scientific and practical solutions to combat the effects of climate change.
Believing in the message of art and its role in promoting climate awareness, Trends launched an artwork titled “Transcendence”, at the Sustainability Corner in the Green Zone of COP28.
The artwork mixes awareness and creativity, and addresses minds on climate, environment and sustainability issues.
TRENDS followed the warm up for COP28 throughout 2023. This was delivered through many discussion panels and conferences attended by the relevant officials, including ministers, in addition to numerous publications dedicated to the event.
A Reference in Studies of Political Islam Movements
The report pointed out that TRENDS Research & Advisory has become an international reference in studying and analysing the reality and future of political Islam groups and ways to confront them. The Centre has issued three issues of the “Muslim Brotherhood Power Index” series. TRENDS issued a regularly updated encyclopaedia on the Muslim Brotherhood consisting of 35 books, of which 10 books have been issued so far.
TRENDS has organised lectures and seminars that expose the false ideas of these movements and the danger of political Islam groups in general.
The report indicated that during 2023, TRENDS published more than 343 articles within the UAE and beyond, covering various fields of knowledge to support interested researchers, decision-makers, and general readers.
TRENDS’ Global Barometer, which conducts public opinion polls on the most important issues and developments in various fields, delivered 31 field and online surveys, for TRENDS Research & Advisory and other entities.
Seminars, Panel Discussions and Dialogues
The Centre organised 41 conferences and seminars, regionally and internationally, and participated in 37 external seminars and seminars. TRENDS held two general conferences, organised 24 dialogues, briefings and other events.
It delivered more than 33 specialised training courses, and launched several targeted initiatives and training programmes, the most important of which is the initiative launched by the Training and Development Department to support national trainers and trainees.
Furthermore, it released 39 research or proposed studies, in addition to 319 reports and special studies on various aspects, under the supervision of the Research and Advisory Sector - Research Departments - and the Global Sector.
International Book Fairs and Global Tours
In 2023, the Centre participated in book fairs organised in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra, London, Sharjah, Istanbul, Frankfurt, Riyadh, Seoul, and Nairobi. TRENDS won the best global pavilion award. The Centre also organised several lectures and events on the sidelines of its participation in these exhibitions.
TRENDS’ activities during 2023 were marked by the launch of its global tours, which included Kenya, Ethiopia and the Arab Republic of Egypt in Africa, as well as an Asian tour that included Japan and Singapore. The tours aimed at promoting scientific research and building new partnerships that confirm the global outlook of the Centre.
New Partnerships
In 2023, TRENDS Research & Advisory concluded more than 40 agreements and memoranda of understanding with many centres, institutions, bodies and media outlets. These partnerships have included think tanks in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Russia, America and others.
Media Sector
TRENDS set out to reach all segments of society through various means. The media sector has been developed and provided with the Media Communication Office, the Trends Smart Lab, the development of social media platforms, and the documentation of its accounts. The “Trends Grand Conference Hall”, in the new expansion of its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, is a new addition that promotes conference and media work. The Centre also launched its smart application (Trends Up), the TRENDS Podcast, the Trends electronic and traditional library, the TRENDS platform and award for scientific research, and its website in a new format. The “WhatsApp Knowledge” platform, which has many followers and appreciation, has also been expanded, and the number of its followers has so far reached more than two million people. The App has released 2143 videos, and 5168 knowledge publications dealing with several topics.
TRENDS’ ninth anniversary saw the launching of its Scientific and Academic Council, which includes a group of distinguished academics, professional leaders, and representatives of many local and international research and academic institutions.
The Centre also launched several initiatives covering various aspects of administrative and research work, most notably the TRENDS Youth Council and the Research Hub Award.
TRENDS launched the “Research Content Creators” initiative, which includes 10 researchers, half of whom are female. This initiative will provide special platforms for members in order to expand the scope of scientific research.
It also launched a new knowledge series titled “In Brief” and the “Trends Hub Award for Scientific Research”.
