The American University of Sharjah Enterprises (AUSE) has launched a series of workshops exploring the role of robotics and 3D-printing in Sharjah’s construction sector, it has been announced.
Launched in cooperation with Oulu University of Applied Sciences (OAMK), one of Finland’s largest universities of applied sciences, the workshops are developed around the theme of ‘The Importance of Robotics and 3D-Printing in developing the Construction Sector in Sharjah’.
The first workshop that was hosted by the American University of Sharjah (AUS) revolved around the latest innovations in the world of robotics and 3D-printing in relation to the construction industry, said Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of AUSE and Sharjah’s Research, Technology and Innovation (STRIP), in a report by Trade Arabia.
Leading architects led the discussions, which also focused on the AUS’s major contributions to the development of 3D-printing technology, in line with the UAE’s sustainable development efforts. Four Finnish experts, AUS instructors and students, engineers and specialists from the government and private sector attended the session.
Recent studies have shown that 3D tools can help reduce unskilled labour by 50%, the construction period by 50% to 70%, costs by 30%, and construction waste by 70%.
“The workshops are a major boost to our efforts to promote knowledge enrichment and entrepreneurship in Sharjah and the UAE. In addition, we seek to provide the AUS instructors and students with an opportunity to learn from international experts and know the emerging global technological trends,” said Al Mahmoudi.
“The first workshop was designed to enhance STRIP’s role in the UAE’s economic diversification and growth as well as contributions to the non-oil sectors. We achieve this by ensuring that our local institutions will be part of the global digital revolution and technological transformation, in addition to promoting economic openness driven by research and development initiatives.
“This workshop served as an ideal platform to share experiences and exchange best practices with Finnish experts, opening up new opportunities to explore the role of robotics and 3D printing in accelerating the growth of the local construction sector,” Al Mahmoudi added.
“The construction industry is poised for unprecedented growth … the value of the construction projects between 2016 and 2030 is expected to reach $522.7 billion, 20% of which are residential developments. The workshop also signals the beginning of our cooperation with Oulu University and other elite academic and research institutions in Finland. Such partnerships will pave the way for more high-quality and technology-focused initiatives in support of the comprehensive and sustainable development plans in the emirate and the rest of the state.”