The recent meeting between the Hedayah Center and the Emirates Scholar Research Center marks a pivotal step in bolstering United Arab Emirates' (UAE) leadership in scientific research, particularly within the niche yet critical domain of countering violent extremism (CVE) and rehabilitation programs. Held on April 9, 2026, in Abu Dhabi, the discussions centered on forging strategic partnerships to elevate research standards, enhance publishing mechanisms, and amplify the global footprint of UAE-based studies. This collaboration underscores the UAE's unwavering commitment to fostering a knowledge-driven society that promotes tolerance and evidence-based policymaking.

H.E. Maqsoud Kruse, Chairman of the International Steering Board of the Hedayah Center—the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism—welcomed a delegation from the Board of Trustees of the Emirates Scholar Center for Research and Studies. The agenda highlighted the integration of efforts between specialized institutions to align scientific outputs with international academic publishing norms, ensuring greater visibility on global platforms and libraries.

Understanding the Hedayah Center's Role in CVE Research

Established in 2012 as an initiative of the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF), the Hedayah Center has evolved into a cornerstone of international CVE efforts. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, it equips governments, civil society, and communities with innovative tools, programs, and research to prevent terrorism and extremism. Over the past decade, Hedayah has delivered more than 200 activities impacting 21,000 individuals across 100+ countries, spanning regions like the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), East and Southern Africa, and Southeast Asia.

Key programs include STRIVE Global, which implements 39 localized projects in 11 countries to combat radicalization; youth resilience initiatives through education; and comprehensive rehabilitation strategies for former violent extremists and returning foreign terrorist fighters. Hedayah's research portfolio features evidence-based reports, such as the 'AI for Counter Extremism' brief exploring artificial intelligence's role in terrorism prevention, and studies on Daesh's indoctrination of children. These outputs emphasize strategic communications, digital tools, and community-oriented policing to counter extremist narratives effectively.

In the UAE context, Hedayah aligns with national visions like the UAE Centennial 2071, promoting tolerance and positioning the country as a global hub for peaceful coexistence. Its annual International Research Conference gathers experts to share methodologies and best practices, further solidifying its influence in CVE scholarship.

Emirates Scholar Research Center: A Hub for Academic Excellence

The Emirates Scholar Research Center, also based in Abu Dhabi, serves as a dynamic platform for scholarly publishing, international conferences, and interdisciplinary research. Its mission revolves around disseminating knowledge, indexing publications, and fostering collaborations that advance UAE's priorities in education, health, sustainability, and social sciences. With a network exceeding 150,000 academic members, the center publishes peer-reviewed journals like the International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences (IJCSTS), Emirati Journal of Business, Economics and Social Studies (EJBESS), and specialized outlets in psychology, law, medicine, and engineering.

Conferences organized by Emirates Scholar, such as the upcoming 3rd International Dialogue of Civilizations & Tolerance Conference (IDCT) in 2026 and the 3rd European Arab Medical Congress, facilitate global knowledge exchange. Training academies offer courses in AI-powered research methodologies, data governance, and futures thinking, empowering early-career researchers. The center's focus on UAE-specific challenges—like high-rise building safety in extreme climates and autism inclusion models in Abu Dhabi—ensures practical, policy-relevant outcomes.

Key Discussions: Bridging Research Gaps in Rehabilitation and Counter-Extremism

The April 9 meeting delved into practical avenues for joint ventures. Central themes included developing academic programs grounded in rigorous science to tackle contemporary intellectual and cultural challenges. Both entities stressed the need for peer-reviewed publications and scientific journals to shape discourse on CVE and rehabilitation.

A core focus was rehabilitation mechanisms for extremists, emphasizing reintegration strategies that transform individuals into productive societal members. Discussions highlighted Hedayah's expertise in programs like those supporting 600 returnees in Tunisia, combined with Emirates Scholar's publishing prowess to document and disseminate best practices. Strategic alignment with global standards was key, aiming to boost UAE research visibility amid rising international scrutiny on extremism studies.

The delegation gifted H.E. Kruse copies of the IJCSTS journal and proceedings from the 2nd IDCT, symbolizing shared commitment. Both sides pledged ongoing coordination to launch initiatives reinforcing UAE's tolerance agenda.

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

UAE's Rising Tide in Scientific Publishing and Research Output

The UAE has witnessed exponential growth in research productivity. Institutions like Khalifa University reported 57.5% of outputs in top 10% CiteScore journals by 2025, signaling accelerated global influence. National strategies, including the UAE Research Program and Vision 2071, prioritize high-impact publishing, with total outputs surging alongside investments in AI, sustainability, and health sciences.

In CVE, Hedayah contributes significantly through reports and briefs, while broader trends show UAE researchers enhancing Arab scholarship's presence. Collaborations like this meeting address challenges such as limited peer-review in sensitive topics, proposing joint journals to meet Scopus and Web of Science indexing criteria.Khalifa University's milestone exemplifies how such partnerships can propel UAE research forward.

Challenges and Opportunities in CVE Publishing Mechanisms

Publishing CVE research poses unique hurdles: ideological sensitivities, ethical concerns in data handling, and ensuring methodological rigor amid politicized narratives. Traditional mechanisms often undervalue practitioner insights, leading to gaps between theory and practice.

This collaboration offers solutions: Emirates Scholar's indexing expertise paired with Hedayah's field-tested data can streamline peer-review processes. Opportunities include co-authored papers, themed conference proceedings, and AI-assisted translation for global reach. Step-by-step, this involves joint calls for papers, standardized review protocols, and open-access platforms to democratize access.

• Enhanced peer-review: Multi-institutional panels for objectivity.
• Visibility boost: Indexing in Scopus, DOAJ for broader citations.
• Impact metrics: Tracking policy uptake via altmetrics.

Stakeholder Perspectives: From Policymakers to Practitioners

UAE stakeholders view this as vital for evidence-based CVE. H.E. Kruse emphasized tolerance's role in policymaking, while Emirates Scholar trustees highlighted publishing's power in cultural dialogue. Practitioners note rehabilitation's success rates improve with documented studies—e.g., Hedayah's community programs reducing recidivism.

Academics praise the focus on Arab research globalization, countering Western dominance. Future implications include training workshops for UAE researchers on open science and impact factor strategies.

Real-World Impacts and Case Studies

Hedayah's STRIVE projects demonstrate collaboration's value: In Kenya, youth programs halved radicalization risks via localized research. Emirates Scholar's IDCT conferences have produced proceedings influencing UAE tolerance policies.

A potential joint study could analyze rehabilitation timelines: Step 1: Assessment via CVE risk tools; Step 2: Tailored interventions; Step 3: Longitudinal tracking published peer-reviewed. Statistics show UAE CVE efforts correlate with 20% extremism narrative decline online (per Hedayah reports).Explore Hedayah's resources for precedents.

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Future Outlook: Positioning UAE as a CVE Research Powerhouse

Anticipated outcomes include a joint CVE journal by 2027, co-hosted conferences, and funded researcher exchanges. Aligned with UAE's 2026 'Year of the Family,' this bolsters family resilience against extremism.

Broader trends: UAE aims for top 10 global research nations by 2031, with publishing central. Challenges like funding persist, but partnerships mitigate via shared grants.

Actionable Insights for UAE Researchers

To leverage this: Submit to Emirates Scholar journals; attend Hedayah conferences; propose joint projects via their platforms. Define terms: CVE (Countering Violent Extremism) involves prevention via social, ideological interventions.

• Build networks: Engage via 150K+ Emirates Scholar members.
• Adopt standards: Use PRISMA for reviews, Scopus metrics.
• Measure impact: Track citations, policy citations.

For UAE universities like UAEU or Khalifa, this opens CVE electives, boosting NIRF-like rankings.