DUBAI, 15th February, 2018 (WAM) -- Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the National Science, Technology and Innovation (NSTI) Festival started today at the Dubai Festival Arena, organised by the Ministry of Education as part of UAE Innovation Month, which includes initiatives, activities and programmes that will run from 15th to 19th February, 2018.
Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, stated that innovation and promoting the role of technology in the lives of people is a necessary requirement, as a means of achieving welfare and happiness for the community, as per the directives of the wise leadership.
During his speech at the festival’s launch, he added that the ministry has prioritised its initiatives and is in the process of adopting the subject of design and technology from third grade students and older in the coming school year, to create future generations who can deal with innovation and technology, with the aim of giving them the skills of the 21st century.
Al Hammadi stressed that the ongoing and diligent support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has helped to strengthen and establish innovation in UAE schools, to enrich the philosophy of education. "When we talk about innovation, we must highlight the pioneering innovation of the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who established the culture of innovation in UAE government and economic institutions, strengthened the country’s economic and social growth, and prepared it to face future challenges," he added.
"When we speak about the future, we must focus on education, as it is the sector that prepares future generations and had established, in them, the culture of innovation," he further added while highlighting the speech of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Chairman of the Education and Human Resources Council, during the recent World Government Summit, and the importance of a modern and futuristic vision of education in the UAE and the entire world.
"If we want to keep pace with the latest developments and preserve our accomplishments, we must be ready for the post-oil era and keep pace with rapid technological changes. Modern studies show that 65 percent of today’s jobs will disappear during the next 30 years, due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and our students must prepare for the future by determining the jobs that will be available and in demand, according to this new reality," he explained.
Al Hammadi pointed out that Sheikh Abdullah spoke about the four pillars of achieving progress in education, which are, education in early childhood, developing education to raise the international competitiveness of UAE students, a new national strategy for higher education, and encouraging continuous learning.
A major initiative running alongside UAE Innovation Month, the Ministry of Education aims to promote and create a passion for science, technology, innovation and scientific research amongst students and the UAE community.
The Festival is bringing together the entire community through a variety of elements that celebrate science, innovation and arts in a vibrant, creative, innovative and entrepreneurial environment.
The five-day event is part of the UAE’s mission of fostering a generation with outstanding scientific talents that will drive the nation’s transition to a competitive knowledge-based economy. It will also encourage young talent to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and facilitate valuable tools to succeed in their careers.
One of the most popular attractions at this year’s event, the outdoor Family Festival is hosting an array of family-friendly adventurous activities, workshops, virtual reality games, entertainment and shows that visitors of all ages can enjoy.
Visitors can discover the scientific phenomenon behind 14 interactive exhibits from the Swiss Science Center Technorama, that are sure to leave you mesmerised, no matter how much you know (or don’t know) about science, art and technology. They can also experience the wonders of virtual reality and immerse yourself in workshops from companies including Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center, The Jam Jar, Medaf Studios, Etihad Innovation, Pixel Hunters and Spacetoon.
Welcoming prominent names from across the globe that have made a significant impact in the science, technology, innovation and research sectors, the three-day conference will facilitate the sharing of knowledge, experiences and success stories. With 500 decision makers, thought leaders, teachers and principals at the conference, it’s a key platform for the Ministry of Education to bring the education community together to understand the Ministry’s trajectory towards science, technology, innovation and creativity.
The student retreat will welcome 100 elite Emirati students from across the UAE to discuss challenges, aspirations and expectations from the educational system. We invite all Emirati students between grades 9 and 12 to sign up and be part of the discussions.