AASTMT’s Interdisciplinary Research Facilities
The Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) has established a robust ecosystem of specialized research centers and physical infrastructures that actively support interdisciplinary collaboration. These facilities enable cross-faculty innovation and joint research across engineering, environmental science, maritime technology, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and business disciplines.
The centers serve as shared, cross-functional spaces for applied R&D, strategic consulting, and pilot-scale experimentation — offering advanced instrumentation, simulation tools, data labs, and multi-use field platforms.
AASTMT’s investment in physical research infrastructure directly supports interdisciplinary science. The university’s research hubs and centers are purpose-built for collaborative innovation, aligning with sustainability goals and emerging global challenges. These facilities are not isolated labs, but platforms for integrated discovery across departments and disciplines.
Flagship Interdisciplinary Research Centers
Below is a list of core AASTMT facilities that provide physical space, shared infrastructure, and interdisciplinary scope across scientific and applied domains:
Table 1.1 – Interdisciplinary Research Centers and Facilities at AASTMT
|
Center Name |
Focus Areas |
Disciplines Integrated |
Facilities Provided |
|
ESRIF (Environmental Sustainability Research & Innovation Facilities) |
Climate change, smart cities, energy-water nexus |
Environmental Sci, Engineering, AI, Transport |
GIS labs, air quality sensors, climate modeling tools, SDG benchmarking systems |
|
Aquaculture Research Center |
Algae biofuel, aquaponics, biotechnology |
Marine Biology, Chemical Eng, Agriculture |
Biodiesel unit, algal incubators, sustainable fish farming lab |
|
Oil Spill Combating Centre (OSCC) |
Maritime environmental safety, pollution response |
Marine Engineering, Environmental Sci, Civil Eng |
Oil spill response boats, oil-water basin, floating booms, in-situ testing gear |
|
Energy Research Unit |
Renewable energy modeling, PV and wind systems |
Mechanical Eng, Policy, Smart Grid Systems |
Photovoltaic testbed, thermal sensors, energy metering platforms |
|
Crisis & Disaster Management Simulation Center |
Emergency logistics, hazard modeling, urban resilience |
Civil Eng, ICT, Logistics, Maritime Safety |
ICS-compliant simulation labs, scenario-based training systems, emergency modeling software |
|
Maritime Research & Consultation Center (MRCC) |
Smart ports, marine logistics, sustainable shipping |
Business, Maritime Tech, Naval Arch., Data Science |
Simulation chambers, real-time maritime systems, industrial-scale prototypes |
Strategic Role of Shared Research Spaces
These centers are co-managed by multiple colleges to ensure a fully interdisciplinary structure. For example:
- ESRIF integrates research from engineering, environmental science, and maritime transport on renewable energy, water conservation, and pollution management.
- The Crisis Management Simulation Center brings together transport engineers, computer scientists, and civil defense planners to simulate and mitigate emergencies in port cities.
- Aquaculture Center provides a model for integrating biological research with applied chemical engineering and energy optimization.
Use Cases and Outcomes
- Joint Faculty Projects: Many research grants (Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, regional science programs) are led by mixed-discipline teams operating within these centers.
- Student Integration: Undergraduate and postgraduate students conduct final-year projects and theses using shared equipment and interdisciplinary mentorship.
- Innovation Translation: Centers like MRCC and ESRIF frequently convert research into policies, pilot systems, and commercial prototypes with local and regional stakeholders.
Appendix A – Facilities Photos
