The five-day international study tour, which continues until October 2, features sessions at the Mila Institute, McGill University, Scale AI and the University of Sherbrooke, according to the Emirates News Agency. The Emirates News Agency said the trip forms part of the Emirates Experts Programme AI track and seeks to build capabilities that support the UAE AI Strategy 2031. A WAM dispatch noted that the Mila Institute in Montreal has grown from a university research laboratory into one of the world’s largest academic AI research centres.
According to an earlier Emirates News Agency announcement on June 18, 2026, the National Experts Programme AI track selected 32 Emirati participants from more than 1,000 applicants, with this visit involving 11 members of that cohort. The June 2026 WAM report placed the average age of the full group at 33 and noted that 22 percent hold PhDs while 66 percent hold master’s degrees. Participants represent public institutions, state-owned enterprises and the private sector in proportions of 50 percent, 28 percent and 22 percent respectively.
The delegation comprises Dr. Nadia Mohamed, Dr. Maryam Al-Harbi, Dr. Reem Al-Junaibi, Dr. Mohammed Al-Shard, engineer Ahmed Hamrain, engineer Ahmed Al-Shahi, Captain Engineer Saif Al-Haj, engineer Suhail Al-Marzooqi, Saleh Al-Obaidli, Colonel Mohammed Al-Obaidli and Hamdan Al-Amri, the Emirates News Agency listed. A joint statement issued by the UAE and Canada in March 2026 welcomed further dialogue on AI research, commercialization and responsible deployment, a WAM release showed. The two countries have pursued an investment framework exceeding $50 billion that includes artificial intelligence among priority sectors, according to a September 2026 Emirates News Agency report on bilateral talks.
Canada appointed its first Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation while the UAE has maintained a Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence since 2017, the March 2026 joint statement recorded. An October 2025 memorandum of understanding between the UAE Ministry of Investment and Canada’s Department of Industry targeted collaboration on data centres and AI projects, a WAM dispatch from that period stated. The current study tour builds on such agreements by focusing on talent development and the translation of research into practical applications across government and commercial domains.
The Emirates News Agency indicated that the visit will allow the experts to engage directly with Canadian researchers on transforming AI advancements into sectoral solutions. Earlier WAM coverage of Dubai AI Week 2025 highlighted participation by Canadian delegations and institutions, underscoring longstanding ties in the field. The National Experts Programme itself launched in 2019 and operates under the patronage of senior UAE leadership, according to programme announcements carried by the Emirates News Agency.
