A week of technology ends

Winners of more than twenty competitions were given prizes yesterday at the concluding ceremony of the Techno Surprises week that included exciting activities.

The competitions included the Talents Workshop, Electronic Sciences, Scientific Experiments, TV and Radio competition, Innovative Photography and the Best Invention besides the Innovation Village, the Scientific Gathering, Treasure of Knowledge, Electronic Games, Family Challenge and the Gulf Inno-vation Gathering, which focused on inventions by Gulf students.

"The Techno Surprises has been an exciting challenge for us to organise and we feel that we have offered an engaging range of activities that have caught the public's imagination," said Major Aqel Janahi, co-ordinator of Techno Surprises.

"From the dazzling opening show by Marco Tempest to the fun-packed techno activities in the malls, we have aimed to make the world of science and technology as accessible and enjoyable as possible."

Marco Tempest, who flew in from Las Vegas especially for the start of Techno Surprises, amazed the audience with his imaginative use of computer-generated imagery, video, music and stagecraft, at the Sheikh Rashid Auditorium of the Indian High School.

"The technological colleges exhibition attracted 300 visitors per day and we hope it inspired curiosity and love for science in many schoolchildren, which will give them a huge advantage in their studies," said Janahi.

"The appearance of Marco Tempest heralded a full week of exciting technology and computer activities that always captures the imagination of children, who will be the scientists of the future," said Major Mohammed Ahmed bin Dylan, the head of the Techno Surprises Organising Committee.

"We have organised activities that are not only fun but also give an insight into many careers, such as that of a junior reporter and a junior paramedic, that introduce valuable knowledge in an enjoyable and interactive manner."

Visitors to Dubai during the Techno Surprises week also had the chance to witness the antics of the Digital Judge and Digital Man and a fascinating interactive show for kids with Mobda, a techno character who answers children's questions about the world of science.

On offer to visitors during the Techno Surprises week was the competition for the best website design and the electronic sciences competition where two families compete for the correct answers to questions on screen.

The junior reporter competition introduced kids to the world of media and journalism, and the junior paramedic programme included a musical show that took kids through first aid.

A photographic competition at all Kodak outlets introduced the art of photography to kids and gave them a chance to win fantastic prizes, and a live science competition on TV and radio from the Hamarain Centre was telecast every day with prizes for the winners.

One of the most innovative exhibitions offered an educational show that examined the world of three-dimensional technology through the latest 3D films. Using special eyeglasses, visitors experienced a three-dimensional world of colour and sound on screen.

The week was full of many other exciting technological attractions too numerous to mention, but they all offered a fascinating and informative week to visitors and a memorable experience to all.