DUBAI // Youths flocked to enter a competition that aims to raise interest in science subjects and its numbers are more than a third higher than last year’s.
On Tuesday, the finals of the Think Science Competition, a national programme of the Emirates Foundation, featured the best of this year’s 640 entries – 515 from schools and 125 from universities, an increase of 35 per cent. The entries included fog dispersal technology, a self-sanitising surface that uses ultraviolet light, and “smart” asphalt, which can repair itself and absorb rainwater.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, attended a ceremony for the competition, honouring 50 young Emirati scientists who won the contest.
“Our responsibility is to prepare generations for future and our ambitions are to have scientists who contribute to the progress of mankind,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
The competition is aimed at encouraging Emiratis between the ages of 15 and 35 to follow their passions for science.
“Creating a platform like this is hugely important,” said Maytha Al Habsi, the foundation’s deputy chief executive. “You’re allowing the youths to feel a sense of confidence and importance in what they think and what they innovate.”
As most students nationally study business, information technology or media-related subjects, competitions to engage them in science are vital.
Dr Warren Fox, executive director of higher education at the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Dubai’s education regulator, said: “When new universities approach us, we tell them that we are underserved in areas such as science, education and health.”
Mohammed Al Naqbi, 17, and his three teammates, were among the winners in the schools category for their robotic arm for amputees.
Their invention came about because one of their friends lost an arm in a road accident.
Mohammed said the competition “helps to show people that you can do good things with science”.
mswan@thenational.ae