Supporting the innovators, makers and tinkerers in Abu Dhabi

Ahmad Al Khalili, director general of Abu Dhabi’s TDC, launches the innovator programme. Christopher Pike / The National

ABU DHABI // The Abu Dhabi Government has launched a mission to create and support a pool of future innovators whose job will be to increase the diversity of the economy.

The Government on Monday launched an intensive programme to encourage youth to become tomorrow’s entrepreneurs and innovators under the programme.

Abu Dhabi’s Technology Development Committee (TDC) will open work space, including mentors, for young innovators to develop their ideas.

It will conduct workshops for schools and universities in science, technology and innovation in its programme, which is aimed at those aged 13 and up.

“Innovation, science and technology are important for the development of the UAE,” said Ahmad Al Khalili, the TDC’s director general. “This is an integrated programme that aims to support human capital development and innovators from years 13 and above.

“This is when they’re more active. They have ideas and require their own space to help turn whatever ideas they have into reality. So we want to help them on their journey to stay with science, technology and innovation.”

The programme will start on March 5 and 6 with the annual Innovator event at the Corniche.

“We’re expecting more than 200 innovators,” said Majed Al Mail, the project’s manager.

“The show is considered a platform for innovators to showcase and celebrate their innovations.”

Last year there were more than 150 submissions, 42 per cent of which were local.

In June, a tour of schools and universities will begin, reaching more than 10,000 students.

“We take science into the schools and organise workshops to get the community engaged and get them excited about innovation and science,” Mr Al Khalili said.

Mr Al Mail said the outreach would introduce students to established innovators.

The next step will be opening a 1,000-square-metre space in Al Raha Beach in the third quarter of the year, with an expected 1,000 members.

“Operated by TechShop, it will provide the physical space as well as consultants, technicians and mentorship,” Mr Al Khalili said. “We are celebrating innovations coming out of the community, universities and schools, and you see tremendous output.”

Paul Duggan, chief executive of TechShop, said the Abu Dhabi space would be the first in the region.

“We will be tremendously surprised by the ingenuity that people will develop here,” Mr Duggan said. “We feel it’s important to show younger children the power of what technology can do and what opportunities exist for them.”

He said many retired people went to TechShop to mentor younger people.

“That whole sense of community is a vital part of TechShop and it’s something we want to bring to Abu Dhabi,” Mr Duggan said.

Intel will also provide mentoring.

“It’s about identifying ways that we can get a better understanding in how technology and innovation can improve the status of a country,” said Andy Nehme, Intel’s Mena business director.

“TDC identified an area where they need to invest in their population and students to develop a culture of science, technology and innovation that is needed for the future development of the UAE.

“We can bring our global experience to the programme.”

A magazine will be launched next year as another part of the programme.

“It’s a tool to showcase the innovations and have some material for the community,” Mr Al Khalili said.

“It’s also a platform to connect the community, so with all this we aim to support the innovators, makers and tinkerers in the community and give them the tools to help them succeed.”