Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) on Monday announced the launch of its upcoming Innovator 2018 programme, which will feature more than 100 innovators showcasing their unique projects as part of UAE Innovation Month.
The weeklong event will be held in Abu Dhabi along the Corniche from February 1-7, with Adek announcing that the Abu Dhabi Science Festival will also be merged with Innovator 2018. Events are also being organised in Al Ain with 600 school students set to visit interactive workshops as part of school trips to Al Ain Mall, Bawadi Mall, and Hili Mall. Interactive workshops and shows will also take place in Al Dhafra Region from February 3-7.
Adek is expecting more than 40,000 visitors and 7,600 students to attend their events as the organisation looks to reach as many people as possible to spread the message of innovation.
“This event is dedicated to innovation and the launching of various projects that will allow us to open new horizons and approaches. Our goal is to create a future where people think outside of the box for new and innovative solutions,” said Dr Ali Al Nuaimi, Adek’s chairman.
“We would like to enforce the self-confidence in our children, and to let them know that excellence will be open to them with many different opportunities, we look to them to become innovators,” he added.
Al Nuaimi highlighted the importance of focusing on young children and creating a system that brings the best out of them, which he said would have long term benefits.
“Good education is the basis for producing innovative and creative thinking, education moulds the mindset of children from an early age, which enables them to have all the skills they need to become innovators.
“This is what we are seeking with our education system and curricula, we want to empower and equip our teachers with all the skills they need, which in turn will prepare our children for the future,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sanad Humaid Ahmad, vice-chairman, Innovation Committee at Adek, said that encouraging innovation was part of a broader strategy aimed at making the UAE among the world’s top ranked countries.
“During Innovation Month we will reinforce our efforts to become one of the top 10 countries in the excellence and innovation index. The UAE is working on having an innovation strategy to put it among the first countries ranked globally,” he said.
“In the UAE, we take pride in our leadership who highly support innovation and excellence to deliver success and progress. The UAE Innovation Month is a valuable opportunity for innovators to showcase and highlight their creativity among institutions and community members,” he added.
Huda Al Hashmi, assistant to the director-general for Strategy and Innovation at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, said that this year’s Innovation Month would be centred on four main themes inspired by the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
The UAE Innovation month will focus on four aspects inspired from our founding father, including the innovative leader, the creative thinker, the change maker and the inspirational thinker.
“UAE Innovation Month embodies the highest level of collaboration between federal and local government, private sector leaders and community members, all working towards achieving one goal; spreading a culture of innovation and embedding it into the fabric of businesses and lifestyle,” she added.
Programme details
Abu Dhabi
Where: Corniche
When: February 1-7
Timings: 9am — 1pm for school students, 4pm — 10pm for general public, 2pm — 10pm on weekends. Free admission
Al Ain
Where: Al Ain Mall, Bawadi Mall, Hili Mall
When: February 1-7
Timings: 9am — 1pm for school students, 2pm — 10pm for general public. Free admission
