Dr. Meis Moukayed, Professor of Health and Life Sciences, recently participated as Panelist Speaker at the 5th edition of the international Water Energy Nexus - Taste the Future 2025 conference organized by the Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology at Khalifa University, UAE, in collaboration with the Sanitary Environmental Engineering Division at the University of Salerno, Italy, and the Advanced Institute of Water Industry at Kyungpook National University, South Korea. The conference hosted high-profile international scientists, engineers, and leaders in sustainable development and water management technologies, who all convened in Abu Dhabi from 17-19 February 2025 to discuss the latest technologies and solutions in water management across the globe. Professor Moukayed and fellow panelists discussed challenges and smart management solutions for the increasing global water demand against the backdrop of emerging novel pollutants, growing industrialization, climate change and increasing consumerism. Professor Moukayed highlighted the importance of fostering cross-disciplinary collaborations between industry and academia to deliver higher education programs that prepare future-skilled scientists for vital key sectors such as the water and energy sectors.