Dubai: A new initiative to encourage university students to develop solutions using drones will be launched as part of efforts to achieve the aims of the UAE Drones for Good Award.
The Universities Challenge initiative comes as part of a new cooperation between the Dubai Museum of the Future Foundation and Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre.
It includes other innovative initiatives to enhance the standards of scientific research and development in the UAE, especially in the field of drones and smart systems to highlight promising and innovative talents.
The Universities Challenge will allow innovative students to enter the world of drone technologies and identify its applications and challenges and regulatory frameworks. It will also enable them to develop solutions in various fields such as search and rescue systems in coastal areas, traffic control and reporting road accidents and congestion, in addition to offering support for global events and essential services.
The partnership represents closer cooperation between various government initiatives and aims to implement the National Innovation Strategy launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The partnership is also a new step towards achieving the UAE Vision 2021, which aims to make the UAE one of the best countries in the world over the next few years.
Saif Al Alili, CEO, Dubai Museum of the Future Foundation, and coordinator-general of the UAE Drones for Good Award, said the initiative will provide “an opportunity for national and local university students to innovate in the field of drones technologies. It will enable them to employ the applications in this technology to serve the society and develop government services based on a forward-looking vision”.
It also provides opportunities to take advantage of Advanced Aerial Systems Programme in Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), which focuses on the research and development of aerial systems in the UAE.
MBRSC will promote the drones award in all events, conferences and exhibitions in which it takes part, and a group of specialists and experts within the judging panels will take part in the international and national competitions of the award.