Residents urged to tread path of innovation for a month

Huda Al Hashimi, assistant director general for Strategy and Innovation at the UAE Prime Minister's Office

A month-long programme themed 'Innovation starts with you' will be held nationwide next month, according to officials.
A Google innovation hub, a chemistry museum and a drone that can measure air and marine pollution - these are some of the many innovations and ideas that will be part of the UAE Innovation Month, organised by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Innovation.
Taking place from February 1-28, the UAE Innovation Month promises more than 1,000 activities and competitions for residents across all the seven Emirates, all in support for the country's innovation strategy.
The month-long programme, which is under the slogan 'Innovation Starts with You', will commence at Abu Dhabi on February 1, followed by Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and will finish in Dubai. A dedicated 'Innovation Truck' will be moving along an 'innovation route' and will mark each main event at the emirate.
"The innovation month is going to be the biggest platform for innovation this country has seen. We don't restrict it to a specific sector. The strategy specifically defines seven sectors for innovation, space, transportation, renewable energy, education and health - so all of these sectors are key players," Huda Al Hashimi, the assistant director general for strategy and innovation at the UAE Prime Minister's Office at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, said.
"During the activities and events that will take place in the month, all of the participants are pushing these seven sectors forward. Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a big role and most of the initiatives are focusing on AI, but, we're also looking to involve students. So, there's going to be a large five-day celebration festival geared to all students across the country. During this, they'll not only be exposed to innovations, but, will also get a chance to showcase their innovations."
In Abu Dhabi, several different events are set to take place, including a public event on February 7 at the Intercontinental Hotel Abu Dhabi, where experts will discuss the implementation of AI in the justice sector.
On the same day, the Google Innovation Hub will also open to the public at the United Arab Emirates University Science and Innovation Park. In Dubai, the National Science, Technology and Innovation Festival by the UAE Ministry of Education will take off on February 15 to February 19 at the Festival Arena. The 'Industrial Revolution X' programme will also be launched at the event.
Bus connects people, emirates
There will be a dedicated innovation vehicle for the month-long programme and has been launched to attract more people to participate.
"Because this innovation month will move from each emirate to another, we want to connect them all together. There'll be a unique innovation route. It'll be a bus that moves from one emirate to another. In that, there's going to be a competition. We want people to visit these events and this competition will encourage them to come," Huda Al Hashimi, the assistant director general for strategy and innovation at the UAE Prime Minister's Office at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, said.
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com
Dates for the UAE ?Innovation Month
> Abu Dhabi: February 1-7
> Ras Al Khaimah: February 8-14
> Fujairah: February 8-14
> Sharjah: February 15-21
> Ajman: February 15-21
> Umm Al Quwain: February 15-21
> Dubai: February 22-28

• Dubai