Abu Dhabi, UAE. 18 September 2013: Emirates Foundation for Youth Development is an independent organization, set up by the Government of Abu Dhabi to facilitate public-private funded initiatives to improve the lives of youth across the UAE, is now announcing the second round of the National ‘Think Science' Competition. ‘Think Science' aims at encouraging UAE youth aged between 15-24 years from public/private schools and universities across the UAE to participate in an innovative national level science competition.
This competition for which the enrollments begin on 20th September 2013 is in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Abu Dhabi Educational Council. ‘Think Science Fair' will be held in April 2014.
On this occasion, His Excellency Humaid Mohamed Al Qutami, Minister of Education said: “Think Science” Competition is an important platform in which it identifies the young innovators in schools and universities across the Emirates. In this era of technology, an investment of their abilities and talents of applied science will be an incentive to guide young people. Such a competition is essential in supporting the future of science education which can open broader prospects for young Emiratis to achieve great superiority in the field of scientific modernization.” His Excellency Al Quatmi further explains: “It is of great importance to build a solid foundation for the youth to explore their inner science and translate their education for the benefit of society and contribute to its progress.
Dr Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Director General of Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC), comments, “The mission of the ‘Think Science' competition is to bring together the brightest and most creative future scientists of our nation to participate on a national level contest, thereby, building together a new generation for our future. We strongly recommend private/public schools and universities to participate in this great opportunity and bring out the scientist in them and make the country proud.”
Emirates Foundation ‘Think Science' program aims to inspire, encourage, and empower Emirati youth to choose science for their studies and career path in order to reach their fullest potential and respond to the nation's demand for science talents. Part of Emirates Foundation's mission is to work in partnership with the private and public sectors to draw great impact on the lives of the youth in a positive and permanent matter by educating and informing on challenges facing UAE youth. It facilitates youth to develop their knowledge and analytical thinking to participate in solving local and global technological issues; this platform connects youth interested in science to sustain a solid future platform within the industry, which also provides the youth to become science ambassadors in the world of technology and science. Furthermore, ‘Think Science' is in-line with Abu Dhabi Vision 2030, a mandate for a long-term economic vision for the ongoing economic success of Abu Dhabi.
Ms. Maytha Al Habsi, Chief Programs Officer at Emirates Foundation for Youth Development said: "Emirates Foundation for Youth Development is seeking to focus on youth development in the country as one of the main pillars of promoting sustainable development. The launch of Emirates Foundation's ‘Think Science' competition gives the opportunity to encourage young creative youth across the Emirates to participate and become part of one of the most momentous science competitions in the country. This ‘Think Science' enables the youth to make use of their inner innovative science mind and serve the aspirations of the state in various fields.” Ms. Al Habsi further explains: “'Think Science' is a platform that confirms that science is the key weapon to adopt a wealthier future for coming generations and is broadly designed to various fields of science, such as aerodynamics, semiconductors, mechanics, environmental engineering, and water sustainability and others."
If you believe you are someone who is capable to be the next ‘big scientist' then visit; www.emiratesfoundation.ae/thinkscience, online registrations will be open for participation and proposal submission from 20th September until November 15 2013.
Participants will showcase their innovative projects in the final Think Science Fair, and winners will be announced during an awards ceremony in April 2014. Successful entries will be rewarded with valuable prizes, exploration trips, and empowerment opportunities offered by private sector partners.
Think Science
Emirates Foundation “Think Science” program aims to inspire, encourage, and empower Emirati youth, between the age of 15 and 24 years, to choose science for their studies and career path in order to reach their fullest potential and respond to the nation's demand for science talents.
The program has three interrelating projects:
“Think Science” Competition is a nationwide competition to explore scientific talents
“Think Science” Ambassadors inspires, encourages and recognizes youth to further develop their knowledge and analytical thinking, and participate in solving local and global technological issues.
“Think Science Connect” is a platform that connects youth interested in science, provides a sustainable interaction platform between young science ambassadors and science industries, and creates an “Emirati science talents” database accessible to relevant key stakeholders and vice versa.
ABOUT EMIRATES FOUNDATIONEmirates Foundation (EF) was launched in April 2005 as an initiative from His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
In 2012, Emirates Foundation was re-launched under the name “Emirates Foundation for Youth Development” as an integrated national initiative that seeks to invest in UAE youth. EF's strategy uses the model of venture philanthropy to develop nationwide programs that aim to impact the lives of UAE youth positively and permanently in a manner that is measurable and sustainable.
The Foundation works in three key areas: social inclusion – looking at some of the challenges facing young people; community engagement – encouraging youth to participate in a voluntary capacity in the civil society; and leadership and empowerment – helping to build young people's ‘soft skills and prepare them for the work place.
EF seeks to identify, educate and inform the public about some of the challenges facing UAE youth while identifying opportunities for growth and development for young people themselves. We develop sustainable, enterprise-based solutions to social issues that help motivate and guide young Emiratis through programs that help them understand the value of giving back to society while developing their capabilities, confidence and leadership skills. Emirates Foundation works in partnership with both the private and public sectors and aims to create a strong culture of giving among the business sector. It is funded through financial contributions from both the government and the private sector.