ADU - UTS Workshop Part 2
17/12/2025
The results of a fifteen-day hashtag#workshop on Abu Dhabi public spaces were presented in ADU this Wednesday. Students from both Abu Dhabi University and the UTS (University of Technology Sydney) presented their work to the Ambassador of Australia in the UAE HE Mr. Ridwaan Jadwat, the leadership of ADU (the Chancellor Professor Ghassan Aouad, the Vice Chancellor for AI and Operational Excellence Dr. Hamad Odhabi, the Associate Provost for Research, Innovation, and Academic Development Dr. Montasir Qasymeh and the Executive Director of Community Relations HE Salem Al Dhaheri), distinguished guests from hashtag#AbuDhabi authorities and Faculty of the Department of Architecture and Design at the College of Engineering - Abu Dhabi University.
The students’ presentations were followed by a portfolio introduction by SJB (in particular Jordan Mathers and Jonathan Knapp) and a small appreciation ceremony.
The Workshop, entitled “Quantifying Quality of the urban space: A generative approach” is part of a joined hashtag#research project between ADU and UTS, with Dr. Apostolos Kyriazis and Dr. Mohammed Makki – both Associate Professors of Architecture – co-leading it. Hopefully, its results will soon be published to academic journals and may potentially inform local guidelines, strategic approaches and urbanism practices in Abu Dhabi and beyond.
The first phase of the Workshop took place in hashtag#Sydney hashtag#Australia, last September, when Dr. Apostolos Kyriazis and three students (Aynaz Bidgoli, Maria Martins and Sabila Patel) of ADU Architecture visited the UTS and contributed at the urban analysis of ten areas of Abu Dhabi, that were selected as study areas.
This December, ADU hosted visitors from the UTS in Abu Dhabi, for the 2nd phase of the Workshop, that lasted nine days. The UTS team was led by Dr. Mohammed Makki and included 15 students (Marybeth Abraham, Laiba Jamil, Bronel David, Alaa Elkordy, Gabriella Da Costa E Silva, Chrysovalantou Giamas, James Gomez, Afan Baig, Nguon Sok, Nancy Sun, Josef Sfara, Dang Toan Dien Pham, Sarah Sawan, Daveda Jabour, Marlin Hannam). Students were able to visit the study areas as well as some of the major Abu Dhabi museums and attractions.
The joined research project that was mutually funded from both institutions, is part of a three-fold collaboration that includes:
● Students' exchange programs
● a 4+2 combined Program in Architecture (Bachelor's and Master's degrees)
Hopefully, such initiatives will strengthen the academic and mobility relations between the two countries and universities, while maximizing the students’ educational experience!
I would like to personally thank Prof. Ghassan for initiating the entire collaboration with the UTS, Dr. Montasir for his kind support on Research funding, Dr. Hamdi Mustafa Sheibani for the College's support on resources, ADU's facilities team, the Ambassador for his honoring presence and all colleagues and students that assisted along the way.
