October 11th, 2016: Students from Canadian University Dubai (CUD) are set to compete with young innovators from across the UAE’s leading universities in an education challenge that aims to harness information and communication technologies to achieve positive social impact.
The Seeds for the Future Education Challenge, an initiative of the UAE Ministry of Education and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, is supported by leading global ICT solutions provider, Huawei, as part of their corporate social responsibility agenda. It was officially launched to CUD students this week in a presentation hosted by Mr. Walid Hareb AlFalahi, Senior Advisor at Huawei Tech (UAE) Co Ltd.
The competition challenges students to work in teams to develop projects that will help to improve community wellbeing in the current generation. CUD is one of only six higher education institutions invited to take part in the prestigious competition, in which competitors stand the chance to win a two-week trip to China, as well as career-defining opportunities for business mentoring and incubation.
The challenge focuses on seven horizontal themes that align with the national strategic development plan of the UAE, Vision 2021. In particular, it aims to bring forward innovations that will use ICT to create positive impact on development in areas including transportation, education, technology, water, healthcare, renewable & clean energy and space.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. AlFalahi said, “We believe that there is a great deal of talent and ideas for growth in universities and we are inviting students to bring those ideas forward; to think outside the box and to use technology to address real challenges that exist within their own communities here in the UAE.”
Entrants will have until November 12th to submit their project ideas, including a short video explaining their innovation and its impact potential. Shortlisted projects will be selected by a panel of high profile judges from the public and private sectors, including senior executives from some of the world’s leading global technology firms, as well as inspiring local entrepreneurs. The top teams will take part in an innovation camp in December and the overall winners will be announced in January 2017.
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