Sunday, Sep 15, 2013
Pictures by Zarina (Smart Wheel Chair+ general photos of the expo)
Abu Dhabi: Thousands of young science enthusiasts from around the world gathered at the Expo-Sciences International (ESI) forum in the capital on Sunday keen to display their inventions and share ideas.
The non-competitive event showcases more than 600 projects by children and young people between the age of 12 and 25.
Held under the patronage of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, the expo is one of the largest events in the UAE focusing on scientific innovations.
The three-day event has been organised by the Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET), to bring together young people from regions as diverse as Europe, North America, Latin America and Africa to exchange ideas and compare projects.
“Hosting the ESI in Abu Dhabi represents to us a great chance of bringing together the bright minds of hundreds of youths sharing the common interest of adding a little, but valuable contribution to scientific innovation,” said Mubarak Al Shamsi, deputy director-general of ACTVET.
“Our main objective by hosting the ESI forum is to instil in the young generation a passion for science and contribute in the development of a scientific culture among the citizens of tomorrow,” he added.
Speaking to Gulf News, many students agreed that the ESI was a unique opportunity to highlight their talents and share innovation.
11-year-old Nikita Petrove, from Russia, said: “My project mainly focuses on how to generate electricity from fire. I have used basic materials such as candles, fire and ice that can help charge devices such as laptops or mobiles in the mountains.
“My field battery charger works perfectly in the mountains or on winter hikes, but it will not work in warm climates as my device requires ice, snow or very cold water,” he added.
The expo showcased the projects of hundreds of students in 13 scientific categories: Physics and astronomy, earth science, energy and transport, computer science, biology, chemistry, medicine and health, technology and biotechnology, electric and mechanical technology, environmental analyses and environmental management, mathematical science, behavioural and social and engineering.
Some 20 per cent of attendees are university graduates. Four graduates from the Higher Colleges of Technology displayed their project which involved developing a smart wheelchair.
“We have developed on our own a smart wheelchair, whose motion can be controlled with a joystick and provided with sensors for disabled people to achieve their mobility goals and avoid dangerous situations,” said Hajar Al Naqbi, a 23-year-old graduate.
“The project took us four months to accomplish and it cost around Dh5,000 to manufacture,” Eman Salem, who is also involved in the project, told Gulf News.
“Our smart wheelchair can detect obstacles and suggest a clear path for its users,” Eman added.
The forum has conducted a number of workshops and lectures in the field of science and technology to provide advice and guidance to Emiratis as well as other participants.
THe ESI is an initiative of the International Movement for Leisure Activities in Science and Technology (Milset), a non-governmental, non-profit and politically independent youth organisation, which aims to develop scientific culture among young people through the organisation of science and technology programmes.
By Sara Sabry Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
