Dubai: As part of the activities of the ongoing Nobel Museum exhibition in Dubai, the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation (MBRF) has organised an Emirati Innovation Day for this Saturday.

Held from 9am to 6pm at the Burj Khalifa Annex near the Armani Hotel, the event will see a group of Emirati inventors speak about their successful experiences in the field of innovation.

Through this event, MBRF aims to support the spirit of innovation in the UAE and encourage inventors from the local community to serve humanity and some day qualify for the Nobel Prize. The MBRF has organised the Nobel Museum exhibition in Dubai for the first time in the Arab world.

Among the innovators participating in the Emirati Innovation Day is Dr Habiba Al Saffar, who made a genetic map for the prevention and early detection of diabetes, and Dr Mohammad Marzouqi, who invented a method to automatically detect toxic gases in the oil and gas fields through thermal reading.

Other inventors who will be present are Ahmad Al Harithi, who invented a mechanism for generation of biofuels with industrial quantities using genetically-modified algae; Rashid Hamdan Al Gaferi, who invented the world’s first male genetic print for forensic use; and Adib Sulaiman Al Baloushi, the first Emirati child to figure among eight most genius children in the world.

Jamal Bin Huwaireb, Managing Director of MBRF, said the progress achieved by the UAE in the field of innovation is the result of a number of factors, primarily the announcement of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, declaring 2015 as the Year of Innovation and to enhance the position of the UAE globally through the launch of the National Innovation Strategy. It is therefore important to highlight the achievements of Emirati innovators and support them through events and activities, Bin Huwaireb said.

‘Rich in talent’

“The UAE is rich in talent and genius, and the sons and daughters of the country have demonstrated excellence in all fields. We have a number of inventions and discoveries with as many as 67 patents approved during the past two decades. Certainly, the figure will rise in the coming years, establishing the UAE as a centre of excellence and innovation,” he said.

Inventors who will take part in the Emirati Innovation Day expressed joy over the initiative, stating that it confirmed the UAE as a community that supports and encourages innovators.

“Based on the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, innovation is the way of success and progress for future generations,” Dr Marzouqi said.

Dr Al Saffar said: “I am proud to share my novel discovery in the field of genetics at the Nobel Museum exhibition in Dubai. This is great milestone for Dubai and the UAE to provide a creative inspirational venue for our youth to learn about discoveries and innovation.”

“The vision of our government on innovation is result of the inspiration of Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. A successful journey never ends. The UAE has shown its capabilities in innovation and Emiratis are determined to leave their mark on innovation in this world,” Al Gaferi said.

Al Harithi expressed happiness to participate in the Nobel Museum exhibition along with innovators, and expressed the optimism that in the future this museum will feature names from the UAE.

Al Baloushi said the Nobel Museum will inspire creativity and innovation and progress to achieve remarkable achievements. “The Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation initiative to allocate a day for Emirati innovators is a great effort towards supporting and motivating innovation. I am confident that the Nobel Prize will be handed some day to Emirati innovators for changing the world for the benefit of humanity.”

The Nobel Museum exhibition receives visitors daily from 9am until 7pm except on Fridays.