A number of international figures will take part in the upcoming Innovation Arabia being hosted by Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) in Dubai, UAE.

The 10th edition of the event will be held from March 6 to 8 at The Address Dubai Marina under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of HBMSU.

The congress aims to promote innovation in the Arab World by creating an environment conducive to innovative revolution and creativity as the region transitions to an integrated knowledge-based economy.

To be staged under the theme ‘Innovation and Entrepreneurship: The Engines of Sustainability,’ Innovation Arabia 10 is of strategic importance given that innovation plays a crucial role in the development of vital sectors affecting the future of the Middle East.

These sectors include education, health, public services, economy, manufacturing, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and family-run businesses. Focusing on innovation is in line with HBMSU’s commitment to support government efforts aimed at fostering a culture of innovation in education and entrepreneurship.

Aside from being the driving force behind the Arab region’s and the rest of the world’s economic and social development, innovation will also help turn into a reality the vision of the wise leaders to make the UAE one of the world’s most innovative countries by 2021 in line with the objectives of the UAE National Innovation Strategy.

Innovation Arabia 10 includes three main international conferences on ‘Quality & Business Management’ under the theme ‘Unleashing Innovation, Empowering Entrepreneurship;’ ‘Smart Learning’ which will tackle ‘Build Knowledge Based Communities;’ and ‘Health and Environment,’ which will discuss pivotal issues under the theme ‘Changing Minds, Protecting the Environment.’
The participants will particularly focus on the role of education, health and the environment in re-shaping the future of sustainability based primarily on innovation.

Dr Mansoor Al Awar, HBMSU chancellor, said: “Innovation Arabia’s success for over a decade is due to the world’s high interest in the congress, the first of its kind in the Middle East, and its strategic focus on the important role of education, business, the environment, healthcare, and Islamic banking and finance in the Arab World’s sustainable development.”

“We have chosen ‘Innovation and Entrepreneurship: The Engines of Sustainability’ as this year’s theme in line with our tireless efforts to make a positive impact on the growing need for excellent models of innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainability. This also demonstrates our support for the Dubai Government’s initiatives to help achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the education sector, in accordance with ‘Dubai Plan 2021,’which aims to build innovative and creative individuals as part of the emirate’s development plan.

“Smart Learning Excellence is the leading forum to discuss smart learning’s modern and innovative concepts as well as its role in creating knowledge-based societies, in addition to identifying ways to enhance the positive impact of transformational and societal education on the quality of the learning experience. The latter will create a knowledge revolution to improve the region's ability to bring about sustainable development in line with the global educational goals set by UNESCO, particularly in terms of promoting education for sustainable development,” he added.

“Similarly, we are confident about this year’s ‘Health & Environment Conference,’ which will gather leading researchers, academics and international figures to discuss ways to overcome obstacles facing innovation in the health and environment industry. The conference will also showcase the latest effective solutions for promoting the role of innovation in paving the way for a sustainable future in a bid to restore balance in the ecosystem and maintain public health,” Al Awar said.

Dr Al Awar concluded: “Under the theme ‘Unleashing Innovation, Empowering Entrepreneurship,’ Quality & Business Management Conference 2017 will certainly not be any less important as it will highlight the significance of entrepreneurs in modern markets and their contributions to a sustainable economy through innovation.

“At HBMSU, we look forward to the upcoming international conferences which will showcase the best expertise in innovation and entrepreneurship to ensure the sustainable development of the UAE and the rest of the Arab World.”

Innovation Arabia 10 will feature a series of innovative training programs to be held on the sidelines of the international conferences. Quality & Business Management Conference 2017 will host a training workshop on ‘Planning by Scenarios – Shaping the Future’.

A training workshop on ‘Innovation in Social Responsibility and Sustainability’ will be held on the sidelines of the Health & Environment Conference and in line with the declaration of 2017 as ‘Year of Reading’.

The Smart Learning Conference, on the other hand, will enable educators to take part in a training workshop on ‘Using Information Technologies in Education’ to learn about the positive impact of Microsoft tools and technologies in enhancing the learning experience and outputs, with a special attention to the development of the necessary skills required in the 21st century.

For first time in its history, Innovation Arabia will feature a rich agenda of live demonstrations, research workshops, panel discussions and interactive sessions through a ‘Virtual Congress.’

The 10th edition will allow participants to attend the Quality & Business Management, Smart Learning, and Health & Environment Conferences from around the world through a virtual platform. – TradeArabia News Service