Great minds come together for festival of inspired thinking

Abu Dhabi: Some of the world's greatest minds have congregated in Abu Dhabi this week for the 4th Festival of Thinkers conference held by the Higher Colleges of Technology.

Nobel laureates, more than 300 international students, business leaders, politicians and academics are attending the event. The conference is part of the college's 40th National Day celebrations under the theme "Inspired Thinking, Fresh Perspectives".

Speaking at the opening of the conference yesterday, Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Chancellor of HCT, urged participants to think freely and creatively.

"In this festival, we are in the presence of people whose free and creative thinking has allowed them to benefit the world."

Special attributes

However, he also told participants to become wise, turn inward and cultivate their own special attributes as great thinkers. "Although they have added significantly to the global body of knowledge, they have not told us what to do or how to respond. They have not revealed how we should live."

He mentioned the wisdom of the late Shaikh Zayed, who is also known as ‘The Wise Man of the Arabs'.

"He accumulated knowledge and drew on it routinely. Always eager for new ideas, he was not reluctant to adjust his body of knowledge as he added new or conflicting facts. His knowledge came not from books alone but also from his culture and his experience. He developed a knowledge of life."

Maathai remembered

He also remembered 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai who died in September. She participated in the HCT's previous festivals.

"Ms Maathai's death ... deprived the world of a brilliant and courageous innovator who inspired us all. She also provided guidance for future festivals," said Shaikh Nahyan.

Indian philosopher and author Swami Parthasarathy, who gave a special address at the event, questioned the usefulness of education today as well as the notion of success and peace.

"Universities are providing education but what type of education? It is not about pushing knowledge into you — it has be drawn out," he said.

He said some of the greatest men were not graduates but, ironically, students had to learn about these great men to become graduates.

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Book sheds new light on Emirati women

Abu Dhabi: With the aim of giving foreigners a better perspective of Emirati women, author and journalist Judith Hornok was inspired to write a book on forward-thinking UAE women during her time in the country.

Modern Arab Women — The New Generation of the United Arab Emirates was launched yesterday during the Festival of Thinkers conference. Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Chancellor of HCT, attended the launch and was presented with Hornok's first signed copy of the book. It is published in German and English and will be available in bookstores next month.

"I am pleased young women of the United Arab Emirates are participating effectively in the social, economic and cultural life of our country. We are proud of their participation," said Shaikh Nahyan.

Hornok said the book helps Europeans understand the UAE better, addresses local culture and traditions and highlights how misunderstandings can arise due to ignorance and cultural differences. She said she had preconceptions of Arab countries before she visited the UAE and was heavily biased by western media.