You are invited to the Pro Vice-Chancellor's Distinguished Speaker Series

Date & Time: Will be announced soon


Curtin University Dubai, DIAC

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| About the series

The Pro Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Speaker Series brings Curtin University’s global academic leadership into direct conversation with the community.

Each edition features globally and locally respected researchers and thought leaders who are shaping knowledge, policy, and innovation across disciplines. The series is designed to make complex ideas accessible, spark curiosity, and encourage meaningful dialogue across education, industry, and society.

At Curtin Dubai, this series reflects our commitment to academic excellence, research impact, and future-focused thinking.

| Past editions

About the theme

Mars once had water, movement, and the conditions needed for life. Decades of exploration have brought us closer, yet the biggest question remains unanswered. Did life ever exist on Mars?

In this edition of the Pro Vice-Chancellor's Distinguished Speaker Series, Professor Martin J Van Kranendonk invited us to look at this question from a different perspective. Drawing on discoveries from Earth's earliest environments, his work is reshaping how scientists think about where and how to search for life beyond our planet. This session offered a rare opportunity to explore one of science's most fascinating questions and the ideas guiding future Mars missions.



About the speaker

Professor Kranendonk is internationally recognised as one of the world's leading experts on early Earth and the environments that supported the origins of life.

He currently leads the LifeSpringsMars (LSM) mission concept, which explores hot spring deposits on Mars for potential evidence of ancient microbial life.

Passionate about science communication, he regularly engages global audiences through public lectures, films, and documentaries.


Read more about the session here

About the theme

As cities grow, the systems that support them must evolve. Artificial intelligence is creating new possibilities for how cities are planned, operated, and prepared for future needs. In the inaugural edition of the Pro Vice-Chancellor's Distinguished Speaker Series, H E Professor Dr Abdallah Belhaif Al Nuaimi examined the relationship between technology, environmental priorities, and urban development. The session explored the decisions shaping the next generation of cities.

In this edition of the Pro Vice-Chancellor's Distinguished Speaker Series, Professor Martin J Van Kranendonk invited us to look at this question from a different perspective. Drawing on discoveries from Earth's earliest environments, his work is reshaping how scientists think about where and how to search for life beyond our planet. This session offered a rare opportunity to explore one of science's most fascinating questions and the ideas guiding future Mars missions.



About the speaker

H E Professor Dr Al Nuaimi has held senior leadership roles across government and academia. During his distinguished career, he has contributed to the UAE's climate resilience strategies, renewable energy agenda, and major national projects.


Read more about the session here

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