Abu Dhabi:
A group of Emirati graduate students involved in STEM studies (science, technology, engineering and math) were inspired by UK’s Duke of York during his visit to the capital.
In the country to promote entrepreneurship, the Duke of York encouraged students to continue their hard work after a UK stint studying and working in collaboration with BAE Systems and Mubadala.
It was the latest visit by the Duke to Abu Dhabi as part of his royal duties to promote economic opportunities in the UK and regions such as the GCC.
“The students had just finished an internship at BAE Systems’s Military Air and Information business in the UK,” said the British Embassy in a statement on Tuesday.
“The Duke discussed with the graduates their experiences, interest in STEM subjects and career aspirations. The internship scheme, which has been running for four years, is a collaboration between BAE Systems and Mubadala. Selected students travel to the UK for an 18 week programme which sees them immersed in various real-life scenarios aligned to their engineering and manufacturing disciplines, including the integration of a robotics system for manufacturing tasks and the deployment of augmented reality technology.”
British Ambassador to the UAE, Patrick Moody said in the statement: “The internship is an example of the UK and UAE collaborating to support the UAE’s vision to equip future leaders with a refined skill-set and a strong focused approach to learning and innovation. I was delighted, therefore, that His Royal Highness The Duke of York was able to join us to meet the latest graduates from the scheme. They are an impressive group of young Emiratis who we hope will inspire future generations to pursue STEM related studies.”
As part of his royal duties to promote economic opportunities for the United Kingdom, the “Duke of York founded Pitch@Palace in 2014, recognising the profound role that entrepreneurship is playing, and will continue to play in the future of the United Kingdom and global economy,” according to his dukeofwork.com website.
“Pitch@Palace gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to meet the people who can help make their business dreams become a reality. Pitch@Palace supports entrepreneurs by providing them with the best opportunities to access mentors and advisers, distribution systems and supply chains, connections and investment.”
The Duke’s website said in recent years he “has focused his activity on three core areas in which he believes he can have the greatest impact: ◾education and skills; ◾entrepreneurship; ◾science, technology and engineering.”
