UAE Innovation Week: 800 activities, hackathons, labs, and workshops

From November 22-28, the United Arab Emirates hosted Innovation Week. A nationwide celebration of innovation it was the result of concerted efforts by government, private sector and individuals.

The initiative, comprised of 800 activities including events, exhibitions and workshops, was held in different Emirates of the UAE. The goal was to further a culture of innovation in the UAE and strengthen its position as a global hub for innovation.

And it’s a boom time for the Emirates. Innovation Week was held shortly after it was ranked, by the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index 2015-2016, as second globally in government procurement of advanced technology products, and seventh globally in the availability of scientists and engineers.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, launched Afkari, a government initiative to encourage, support and fund the innovative ideas of more than 90,000 federal government employees, and to improve their organizations’ work systems.

Original article by Maya Rahal

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UAE Innovation Week: 800 activities, hackathons, labs, and workshops