(12 January 2020)
The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has opened registration for participation in the sixth edition of INNOVATOR, a key annual event that showcases creative ideas and projects in different scientific disciplines from the UAE community, encouraging the culture of innovation. INNOVATOR invites all members of the UAE community to participate in advancing the nation’s strategy for innovation and contributing to its ranking in the Global Innovation Index, by applying creative thought to problem-solving. The UAE is the only Arab nation in the index’s top 40. INNOVATOR is part of the Abu Dhabi Science Festival being held at 'A’l Bahar' on the Abu Dhabi Corniche from 30th January to 8th February 2020.
INNOVATOR 2020 will encourage innovative contributions, projects, experiments and ideas based on specific industries and scientific disciplines, such as Automotive (including Mechanics and Digital Fabrication), Aerospace and Space Exploration, Robotics (including Electronics and Artificial Intelligence), Sustainability (including Life Sciences) and the Arts (Arts and Design). Companies, researchers, teachers, students or any member of the public throughout the UAE aged 13 and above with a vision to solve challenges and propose creative solutions will be able to showcase their innovations and have the opportunity to win cash prizes up to AED60,000. A select jury of experts will then select the most distinctive projects for 2020 according to clearly defined quality, authenticity, innovation and social impact criteria.
INNOVATOR 2020 is also a platform for the general public to experience hands-on interactive experiments, attend fascinating workshops, wide-ranging activations and live edutainment shows.
Engineer Sanad Humaid, official spokesperson for INNOVATOR 2020 at ADEK, re-affirmed the commitment to encouraging entrepreneurial innovation, saying: “The UAE’s leadership is scrupulous about promoting a knowledge-based and competitive economy, driven by entrepreneurs and innovators. INNOVATOR 2020 is a unique opportunity to demonstrate our community’s ability to drive economic development, solve challenges and enhance the UAE’s global competitiveness. We are excited to see this year’s talent in designing and producing unique innovations that will inspire us and future generations.”
Registration is open online until the 16th of January, 2020. For more information and to submit your projects, please visit innovator.ae.
The INNOVATOR event was launched in 2014 with the objective of developing human capital in Science, Technology and Innovation. It encourages participants to present their projects and prototypes delivered either as school assignments or as individuals, engaging with peers who share their interests, and exchanging ideas and knowledge. ADEK has been organizing the event on an annual basis to help foster a creative and competitive culture between innovators.