Education & Technology

Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority was set up in 2005 with a vision to transform the emirate into a technology and industrial hub of the UAE. In many ways that dream has reached levels of fruition with some of best and most trusted regional and international names in the industry having set up their bases in the free zones promoted by RAKIA with many more being added every year.

To extend that vision further into research and technology, RAKIA along with EPFL (Ecoles Polytechniques Fédérales of Switzerland) has embarked on an ambitious journey to set up the region’s topmost research and information technology hub in Ras Al Khaimah. The SWISS TECH PARK was born out of that collaboration and at the moment land has already been acquired to build a research hub that will match the best in the field.

This joint venture will set up a research facility that will operate like a technology incubator with future plans to sell or transfer the patents to other countries or will be used to further growth and development within the country.

This model will leverage optimal operating cost which RAK offers in comparison to other emirates as well as superior standard of living for the researchers and professionals involved in a project of this magnitude. The road map for this project suggests setting up of a Swiss tech park by 2012 and a subsequent incubation park by 2015 with relevant competencies.

The plan by 2016 is to replicate this model in other emerging economies and facilitate transfer of technology.