Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), and leaders from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the University of Michigan (U-M) to sign a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance global innovation, entrepreneurship, economic growth, and job creation. The ceremony was attended by Robert Raines, Consul General of the United States in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, along with a delegation of business, academic, and innovation leaders from the State of Michigan.
“Michigan is an international leader in manufacturing and innovation,” said Governor Whitmer. “By signing a Memorandum of Understanding with RAK and the University of Michigan, we are highlighting our advanced manufacturing strength, engineering talent, and cutting-edge R&D while showing the world why they should continue to create jobs and invest in Michigan.”
“This partnership underscores a shared commitment to fostering dynamic innovation ecosystems, strengthening public-private collaborations, creating good-paying jobs, and cultivating the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders. Through leveraging Michigan and RAK’s unique expertise and perspectives, this collaboration will facilitate knowledge exchange, talent development, and technology commercialization to drive economic prosperity.” The Governor’s office said yesterday.
“Ras Al Khaimah is committed to nurturing a thriving ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Peter CS Pan, Head of Startup & Entrepreneurship Hub, Ras Al Khaimah. “Ras Al Khaimah Startup and Entrepreneurship Hub’s partnership with the MEDC and the University of Michigan strengthens our vision, enabling us to unlock new possibilities, cultivate talent and drive economic growth through the exchange of knowledge and expertise. Through this alliance, we reaffirm our shared commitment to shaping a future of transformative impact, where knowledge, creativity and leadership are central to our collective progress.”
The State of Michigan and RAK are growing hubs for entrepreneurship and economic diversification, as U-M continues to be a world-renowned leader in research, innovation, and education. Through the MOU, these institutions will collaborate on key initiatives, including:
- Innovation Ecosystem Development: Sharing best practices in startup investment strategies, technology commercialization, and policy development to create more jobs.
- Leadership and Talent Development: Expanding executive education programs, workshops, and professional training in entrepreneurship and innovation management to make Michiganders qualified for good-paying jobs.
- Global Learning Opportunities: Facilitating student exchanges, internships, and joint programs between Michigan and Ras Al Khaimah-based academic institutions.
“At the University of Michigan, we believe that transformative innovation happens through collaboration to tackle global challenges,” said Kelly Sexton, Associate Vice President of Research – Innovation Partnerships and Economic Impact, University of Michigan. “This partnership with the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation highlights the power of working together to drive technology commercialization, advance talent development, and create new opportunities for discovery, growth, and impact in Michigan and the UAE. We are proud to be part of this initiative that connects two dynamic innovation ecosystems to fuel global prosperity.”
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Michigan Signs MOU With UAE
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), and leaders from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the University of Michigan (U-M) to sign a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance global innovation, entrepreneurship, economic growth, and job creation. The ceremony was attended by Robert Raines, Consul General of the United States in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, along with a delegation of business, academic, and innovation leaders from the State of Michigan.
“Michigan is an international leader in manufacturing and innovation,” said Governor Whitmer. “By signing a Memorandum of Understanding with RAK and the University of Michigan, we are highlighting our advanced manufacturing strength, engineering talent, and cutting-edge R&D while showing the world why they should continue to create jobs and invest in Michigan.”
“This partnership underscores a shared commitment to fostering dynamic innovation ecosystems, strengthening public-private collaborations, creating good-paying jobs, and cultivating the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders. Through leveraging Michigan and RAK’s unique expertise and perspectives, this collaboration will facilitate knowledge exchange, talent development, and technology commercialization to drive economic prosperity.” The Governor’s office said yesterday.
“Ras Al Khaimah is committed to nurturing a thriving ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Peter CS Pan, Head of Startup & Entrepreneurship Hub, Ras Al Khaimah. “Ras Al Khaimah Startup and Entrepreneurship Hub’s partnership with the MEDC and the University of Michigan strengthens our vision, enabling us to unlock new possibilities, cultivate talent and drive economic growth through the exchange of knowledge and expertise. Through this alliance, we reaffirm our shared commitment to shaping a future of transformative impact, where knowledge, creativity and leadership are central to our collective progress.”
The State of Michigan and RAK are growing hubs for entrepreneurship and economic diversification, as U-M continues to be a world-renowned leader in research, innovation, and education. Through the MOU, these institutions will collaborate on key initiatives, including:
“At the University of Michigan, we believe that transformative innovation happens through collaboration to tackle global challenges,” said Kelly Sexton, Associate Vice President of Research – Innovation Partnerships and Economic Impact, University of Michigan. “This partnership with the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation highlights the power of working together to drive technology commercialization, advance talent development, and create new opportunities for discovery, growth, and impact in Michigan and the UAE. We are proud to be part of this initiative that connects two dynamic innovation ecosystems to fuel global prosperity.”
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.