The meeting was attended by members of the board of trustees, namely, H.E. Dr. Mugheer Al Khaili, Eng. Hussain Al Hammadi, Mohammed Khalfan Al Romaithi, and Hussain Jasim Al Nowais. It was also attended by Dr. Tod Laursen, President, Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice President at Khalifa University and Dr. Mohammed Al Mualla, Khalifa University’s Senior Vice President for Research and Development. Prior to the meeting, His Highness Sheikh Hamed was updated on number of research projects being carried out by students and researchers at the university. During the meeting, a number of topics were discussed at length. These included an update on planning for upcoming College of Science, and a review of the University’s Preparatory Program. In addition, board members discussed graduate programs, research and development, as well as, the creation of an advisory board for Ankabut. Updated organizational charts for the University were also approved, along with a proposed approach to reclassification of positions and staff promotions. Finally the University’s 2012 financial statement and audit reports were reviewed, and the 2013 budget was approved. Managed by Khalifa University and jointly funded by the TRA through the ICT Fund and Khalifa University, Ankabut is the United Arab Emirates’ National Research and Education Network (NREN) offering academic institutions connectivity to other education networks around the world.