Under the Patronage of the Prime Minister, the First International Conference on Digital Transformation and Innovation Begins in Aden

Academy Media Office – Aden
Monday, July 20, 2026

Under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Shae’a Mohsen Al-Zindani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs, and under the supervision of H.E. Dr. Amin Noman Al-Qudsi, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Mr. Abdulrahman Sheikh, Minister of State and Governor of Aden, the activities of the First International Conference on Digital Transformation, Innovation and Sustainable Development (DTISD 2026) commenced today, Monday, July 20, in the interim capital, Aden.

The conference is organized by the University of Aden in partnership with the Arab Academy for Management, Banking, and Financial Sciences, with technical sponsorship from the American Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). The conference is being held in a hybrid format, combining in-person attendance with virtual participation through video conferencing technologies, with the participation of a distinguished group of researchers, academics, and experts from Yemen and abroad. The conference discusses the latest developments in the fields of digital transformation, artificial intelligence, innovation, and sustainable development, thereby strengthening the role of universities in knowledge production and supporting development.

At the opening session, Dr. Amin Noman Al-Qudsi, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, emphasized that holding the conference reflects growing national awareness of the importance of digital transformation as a strategic choice for keeping pace with global changes. He noted that the digital revolution and artificial intelligence have brought about fundamental transformations across various sectors, requiring universities to develop their academic and research programs and prepare qualified professionals capable of leading the future.

He explained that digital transformation is no longer an option but a national necessity that requires modernizing the higher education system, fostering a culture of innovation, and developing academic curricula and programs in line with the Fourth Industrial Revolution. He stressed that universities are required to move beyond their traditional role in education toward active participation in knowledge production, scientific research, innovation, and community service.

The Minister added that the government attaches great importance to higher education and scientific research as the main drivers of sustainable development and the knowledge economy. He emphasized the importance of expanding partnerships with Arab and international universities and research centers, strengthening scientific cooperation, investing in human capital, and providing a supportive environment for research and innovation. He reiterated his support for the recommendations of the consultative meeting of university presidents concerning the allocation of the necessary resources for scientific research.

He also noted that Aden’s hosting of this international conference reflects its scientific standing and its capacity to regain its role as a center of academic and intellectual influence. He expressed his confidence that the conference outcomes would contribute to supporting digital transformation, enhancing the quality of higher education, and consolidating sustainable development in Yemen.

For his part, Prof. Dr. Al-Khader Nasser Laswar, President of the University of Aden and President of the Conference, opened his speech by expressing his highest appreciation and gratitude to H.E. Dr. Shae’a Mohsen Al-Zindani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs, for his generous patronage of the conference, as well as to H.E. Prof. Dr. Amin Noman Al-Qudsi, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Mr. Abdulrahman Sheikh, Minister of State and Governor of Aden, for their supervision and support of this scientific event.

He also praised the attendance of the participating ministers at the opening ceremony, the strategic partnership with the Arab Academy for Management, Banking, and Financial Sciences, and the technical sponsorship provided by the American Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). He expressed his appreciation to the sponsoring and supporting institutions, researchers, experts, and guests participating from Yemen and abroad, as well as the scientific and organizing committees that contributed to the success of the conference.

He affirmed that the conference represents a prominent scientific milestone in the history of the University of Aden and reflects its strategic orientation toward engaging with contemporary scientific and technological issues and strengthening its academic and research presence at the regional and international levels. This is being pursued through an active partnership with the Arab Academy, based on the belief that knowledge and scientific research are the foundation for building the future and driving development.

The University President explained that the world is witnessing an unprecedented transformation driven by the digital revolution and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, data science, and modern communications. Digital transformation has become a strategic necessity affecting various sectors. He stressed that universities are no longer merely educational institutions; they have become institutions for producing knowledge, leading scientific research, providing innovative solutions, and building effective partnerships.

He added that choosing Aden to host this international event carries profound civilizational and scientific significance and confirms the city’s ability to regain its position as a center for intellectual and scientific dialogue. He noted that the conference represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen the standing of the University of Aden and the Arab Academy within the global academic landscape, launch joint research projects, build sustainable academic cooperation, and produce practical recommendations that contribute to supporting digital transformation and innovation, empowering young people and researchers, and serving sustainable development in Yemen and the region.

For his part, Prof. Dr. Murad Mohammed Al-Nashmi, Director of the Yemen Branch of the Arab Academy for Management, Banking, and Financial Sciences and Vice President of the Conference, affirmed that digital transformation is no longer a technological luxury but has become a strategic necessity affecting the educational, administrative, economic, and financial sectors, amid rapidly changing global developments driven by artificial intelligence, data science, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and the Internet of Things.

He pointed out that the real challenge lies not merely in adopting these technologies, but in building a national model for digital transformation that responds to the needs of society and promotes sustainable development. He explained that the conference represents an international scientific platform for dialogue and the exchange of expertise among researchers, academics, experts, and decision-makers, while linking scientific research with practical applications that meet the needs of society and keep pace with global technological transformations.

Al-Nashmi added that organizing the conference through a partnership between the University of Aden and the Arab Academy, with technical support from the American Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), represents a successful model of institutional integration and reflects a commitment to applying the highest standards of academic and research quality. It also opens broader opportunities for Yemeni researchers to connect with the international scientific community.

He emphasized that digital transformation begins with developing people and building their capabilities and skills before technology, as well as creating an institutional and legislative environment that supports innovation. He expressed his hope that the conference would serve as a starting point for sustainable research partnerships and high-quality scientific initiatives that contribute to promoting innovation, supporting the digital economy, and consolidating the position of the University of Aden and the Arab Academy as two active institutions in knowledge production and sustainable development.

For his part, Dr. Abdulqader Mohammed Al-Abbadi, Chair of the Conference Scientific Committee, presented the conference’s scientific indicators. He explained that the committee received 232 research papers from researchers representing 32 countries across different continents. Following scientific peer review in accordance with international standards, 104 papers were accepted, representing an acceptance rate of 44.8%. This reflects the quality of the research and the level of scientific competition witnessed by the conference in its first edition, and confirms the academic standing the conference has achieved at both regional and international levels.

He noted that the accepted papers covered several major areas, including artificial intelligence, data science, communications, the Internet of Things, cybersecurity, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and modern technologies supporting sustainable development.

He added that the accepted research papers will be published on the global IEEE Xplore platform and indexed in the Scopus database, enhancing the conference’s international presence and increasing the academic value of the participating research. He called on researchers to continue applying the findings of their research to provide scientific solutions and innovative projects that serve society and advance digital transformation, innovation, and sustainable development, while strengthening research cooperation among universities and academic institutions at both the local and international levels.

In his speech, Dr. Abu Bakr Mohammed Omar Barehim, representative of the Hadhramout Foundation for Human Development in Aden, conveyed the greetings of the Foundation’s leadership, represented by Sheikh Abdullah Ahmed Baqshan, Chairman of the Founders’ Board and the Foundation’s principal supporter; Engineer Ahmed Salem Bashawiya, Chairman of the Board of Trustees; and Engineer Tariq Ali Balkhshair, Executive Director.

He affirmed the Foundation’s pride in its partnership in sponsoring this international scientific event, which reflects the integration of roles between academic and development institutions in supporting knowledge, scientific research, and innovation. He noted that holding the conference in Aden reflects the city’s historical and scientific standing and the ability of Yemeni universities to attract expertise and build effective academic partnerships at the regional and international levels.

He emphasized that the conference constitutes an important scientific platform for exchanging expertise and strengthening cooperation among researchers, decision-makers, and academic and development institutions, contributing to transforming scientific research outcomes into practical applications that serve society and support sustainable development.

He expressed his confidence that the recommendations and initiatives emerging from the conference would strengthen the path of digital transformation and innovation, support the development of higher education, and empower young people and researchers. He reiterated the Hadhramout Foundation for Human Development’s commitment to continuing its support for scientific initiatives and building institutional partnerships that contribute to human development, consolidate the knowledge economy, and serve the nation.

Following this, a short documentary film (promotional video) was screened, presenting the conference’s objectives and scientific themes, as well as its importance in supporting digital transformation, innovation, and sustainable development. The film also highlighted the historical, civilizational, and scientific standing of Aden and its potential to host international scientific conferences and events, in addition to showcasing the role of the University of Aden and the Arab Academy in promoting scientific research, academic openness, and the building of bridges for international cooperation.

The scientific sessions of the first day then commenced. Prof. Dr. Al-Khader Nasser Laswar chaired the main scientific session, which featured two research papers presented by H.E. Prof. Dr. Shadi Saleh Ali Basarah, Minister of Communications and Information Technology.

Prof. Dr. Murad Mohammed Al-Nashmi chaired the second and third sessions, during which Dr. Ali Farouk from the University of Strathclyde in the United Kingdom delivered a presentation via live video link. This was followed by a specialized research paper presented by Dr. Ahmed Al-Dubai from the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom.

The conference also continued through parallel scientific sessions covering several tracks, during which researchers presented dozens of research papers discussing the latest developments in artificial intelligence, data science, digital transformation, cybersecurity, the Internet of Things, and technologies supporting sustainable development. These sessions enriched the scientific discussions and contributed to the exchange of expertise among participants from various universities and academic and research institutions.

The opening ceremony was attended by Minister of Education Prof. Dr. Adel Abdulmajeed Alawi Al-Abbadi, Minister of Technical Education and Vocational Training Dr. Anwar Kalshat, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Mr. Salem Al-Sقطري, Governor of Abyan Governorate Dr. Mukhtar Al-Rabbash, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Mohammed Omar Banajah, and Chairwoman of the Academic Accreditation and Quality Assurance Council Prof. Dr. Sawsan Bakhabaira, along with a number of undersecretaries, presidents of public and private universities, deans and vice deans of colleges, researchers, and academics.

The conference, organized by the University of Aden in partnership with the Arab Academy for Management, Banking, and Financial Sciences and with technical sponsorship from the American Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), will continue for three days. It will feature specialized scientific sessions and high-level research discussions aimed at producing practical recommendations and initiatives that contribute to supporting digital transformation and innovation, strengthening the scientific research system, consolidating international academic partnerships, and serving the sustainable development goals in Yemen and the region.

The conference addresses the latest developments in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, the Internet of Things, innovation, and sustainable development, while exploring ways to leverage scientific research and emerging technologies to support development and serve the community.

The conference has witnessed broad participation in its academic sessions. The Scientific Committee received 232 research papers from 32 countries, of which 104 papers were accepted following peer review, reflecting the diversity of research participation in the conference.

The conference program continues over three days through specialized academic sessions and research discussions aimed at exchanging expertise, strengthening academic partnerships, and supporting digital transformation, innovation, and sustainable development initiatives in Yemen and the region.