Investing in youth and STEM schools is key to driving UAE innovation

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14 December 2016
· The future of the UAE is dependent on government and businesses investing in STEM education in the youth of the country to become one of the most innovative countries in the world
· Long term initiative, Innovation Live! aligns with government and business leader's efforts to drive economic growth through collaboration and innovation

Dubai, UAE – At the recent launch of the Innovation Live! Summit, part of the pivotal long term initiative by MEED to facilitate innovation in the UAE, inspiring international and local business leaders highlighted several critical innovation criteria including investing in the youth and specifically in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) schools to drive the future of the country’s innovation.

Innovation Live! is a long term initiative launched this year to address challenges, facilitate change and showcase cutting edge innovations in the UAE.

The event hosted an Inspiration Stage with the region’s and world’s best minds speaking on innovation and the driving power behind creating an innovation ecosystem. The international keynote was delivered by Guy Kawasaki, Apple Fellow and Silicon-Valley based Innovation Evangelist and Entrepreneur, he said: “The most important thing is a great school of engineering, if you have a great school of engineering, these students will become engineers and by definition they will want to make stuff, some stuff will be great – that’s the core. The key is to support the engineering department of your schools.”

This globally recognised statement ties into the UAE’s Science Technology & Innovation Policy launched in 2015 where His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai said: “The Science, Technology and Innovation Policy is our roadmap to building a better future for generations to come. We have the human capital, effective governance and financial resources to accomplish a transformation of scientific progress in the UAE.”

Richard Thompson, Editorial Director at MEED added: “By investing in STEM schools, the grassroots of innovation is given a significant boost which works across all key sectors – healthcare, urban development, , manufacturing, transport, sustainable energy and education – these are the fundamentals of creating economic diversification, growth and innovation in the country.”

Dr. Asma Al Mannaei, Director of Strategy at Health Authority-Abu Dhabi said: “In today’s world, we face novel challenges that can only be addressed through novel solutions. Our leadership has recognised that innovation is not only the key to addressing modern day challenges, but that it is at the very foundations of realising any developmental ambitions. While we at HAAD have a vested interest in developing the healthcare sector, we recognise that this hinges on the development of other sectors that will complement our growth – and so we need to address the bigger picture. Investing in STEM education is a crucial step that will shape our future by creating a generation that is able to provide expertise across those fields and more importantly, become our home-grown industry leaders and innovations pioneers who will pave the way for a brighter future. Additionally, and in our capacity the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi , we will continue to support all initiatives that are aimed at building capacities especially in the medical field as we aim to help train, attract and retain Emirati talent to meet the growing demand for health services.”

STEM education in youth will spur the UAE’s National Innovation Strategy, particularly as it aims to enter the Top 10 cities on the Global Innovation Index (GII). The core of the GII Report consists of a ranking of world economies’ innovation capabilities co-published by Cornell University, INSEAD, and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO, an agency of the United Nations).

As an anchor event of UAE Innovation Week, the Innovation Live! summit was facilitated by MEED in association with Dubai Chamber, in partnership with Health Authority – Abu Dhabi (Healthcare Innovation Partner), Dubai Airport Freezone Authority, Emirates Foundation, Federal Transport Authority, Masdar Institute and Smart Dubai (Strategic Partners); Hitachi (Social Innovation Partner); Bentley Systems, Honeywell, Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, GE, PepsiCo, Valiant Clinic (Platinum Partners); Atkins, DuBox, Lafarge Holcim, Visa, SAP (Gold Partners); Autodesk, Esri, Pfizer (Silver Partners), Barco, B.U.T, Howdy (Experience Partners); UBER (Technology Transport Partner).

For further details on Innovation Live! Visit www.innovation.live

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About Innovation Live!

Innovation Live! is a long term initiative enabling innovation by aligning government and business to address challenges, facilitate change and showcase cutting edge innovation through a multi-platform engagement plan. Innovative Live! is facilitated by MEED, the region’s most trusted source of business intelligence. Along with its sister companies, MEED partners with key government, semi-government and private organisations to create platforms to achieve specific objectives.

For more information visit www.innovation.live

Facebook: fb.com/meedinnovation/

Twitter: @MEED_Innovation

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