Sheikh Mohammed Launches UAE Innovation Week
The innovation week will see the UAE’s education, health, energy, environment, space, economy and service sectors present their innovations
UAE VP, PM and ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has launched UAE Innovation Week, allowing entities from the public, private and the academic sectors to showcase their innovations.
According to state news agency WAM, UAE Innovation Week will be held from 22 -28 November.
The innovation centric week will see the UAE’s education, health, energy, environment, space, economy and service sectors present their innovations. The event will also look to pit the public sector against the private sector in terms of showcasing innovation.
Over the last year the UAE has prioritised innovation, spending nearly Dhs 14-B annually in innovation, mainly to remain competitive in the region and boost its diversification efforts.
In October 2014, the country launched a national innovation strategy with the aim of making the Emirates the most innovative nation in the world within the next 7 years.
Ever since the strategy’s launch, the government has continuously introduced initiatives to further this goal. The government also marked Y 2015 as the Year of Innovation.
Earlier this year, the UAE announced the creation of a new post, CEO of innovation for every government department.
Adding to these activities, the UAE Innovation Week will see a number of initiatives conducted by the government and the private sector to further the innovation goal.
The event will feature workshops, seminars and innovative laboratories that will help generate new ideas and re-evaluate innovations achieved in Y 2015.
“Innovation is not an option but a necessity,” said Sheikh Mohammed.
“It is not a culture but work style, and governments and companies that do not innovate risk losing their competitiveness and falling far behind.
“We have multiplied our investments in innovation, especially in terms of equipping and training our national cadres because keeping pace with the rapid changes taking place in the world needs innovative cadres and an environment that supports innovation.”
Sheikh Mohammed has requested suggestions from the public for activities during UAE Innovation Week through social media channels. He also called for ideas to celebrate the best innovators in the region and urged the public to nominate the best in the field for categories including the education and government sectors.
A committee of representatives from federal and local governments and the private sector will be formed to organise the UAE Innovation Week, WAM said. The committee will be responsible for receiving ideas and coordinating all activities related to the week.
By Mary Sophia
Paul Ebeling, Editor
HeffX-LTN
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