Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum honored today young Emirati distinguished scientists who won the Think Science Competition 2016 at a ceremony held at the Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai on Tuesday. Crown Prince of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Deputy Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum attended the ceremony.
Commenting on the event, Sheikh Mohammed said: “Our responsibility is to prepare generations for future and our ambitions are to have scientists who contribute to the progress of mankind”.
He added that the new generations should master innovation, analysis, communication and leadership skills more than ever before. "We need to promote the concept of innovation among young people as well as creating appropriate environment to encourage our schools and universities to provide them most important skills in research methodologies and discovery."
The competition is part of the Emirates Foundation’s Think Science programme, which aims to encourage and empower Emirati youth, between the ages of 15 and 35 years, to follow their passion for science with interactive, hands-on activities in the fields of engineering, energy, aviation and other technological industries.
The winning 50 projects were selected from among 235 projects that were developed and completed by more than 640 university and high school students. The projects competed at the national level in the science categories of electrical engineering, environmental sciences and management, industrial and mechanical systems, energy, smart and safety systems, physics and chemistry, transportation, aerodynamics and aviation.
This year’s competition opened the door for talented people aged between 25 and 35 years, who have completed their academic study, to participate in the competition.
The contest is supported by the Ministry of Education and Abu Dhabi Education Council, and it demonstrates the foundation’s continuous efforts to inspire and empower UAE youth to innovate in the fields of science and technology.
"Our vision through Think Science programme is to offer our youth a platform that strengthens their creative capabilities and contributes to the country’s policy regarding science, technology and innovation," said Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Managing Director of the Emirates Foundation.
Sheikh Sultan was speaking on behalf of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Chairman of the Emirates Youth Foundation.
He noted that there is an Emirati youth scientist in each Emirati house that needs someone to discover and offer an opportunity. "It is our responsibility to turn ambitions of those youth into reality so as they lead the UAE into the highest ranking”.
The competition’s jury is composed of 60 experts and university professors from local and international educational institutes.
Chairman of Mohammed bin Rashid Foundation His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Education Hussain Ebrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Community Development Najla Mohammed Al Awar, Minister of State for Public Education Jamila Bint Salem Al Muhairi, Minister of State for Youth Shamma Suhail Faris Al Mazroui, members of the Board of Emirates Foundation and a host of senior officials, university professors and senior executives also attended the ceremony.
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