A total of 200 innovative projects selected from over 470 global entries are being showcased at the 2017 Global Grad Show Exhibition, which opened yesterday (November 12) in Dubai, UAE.

The event is the third edition of the acclaimed annual exhibition of life-changing inventions from graduates of the world's leading design and technology universities, and it will run until November 18, during the Dubai Design Week.

The event is being held under the patronage of HH Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, and in partnership with Dubai Design District (d3) and supported by Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.

The exhibition is being curated by renowned author and designer, Brendan McGetrick.

A not for profit initiative, the show welcomes graduates from 92 universities to Dubai to present forward-thinking prototypes around the themes of empowerment, connection, and sustainability, it said.

Graduates hail from universities far and wide, including leading institutions such as Design Academy Eindhoven (Netherlands), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, (US), Royal College of Art (UK), and National University of Singapore.

Furthermore, work from emerging markets rarely seen on a global scale are on view, including projects from designers based in Serbia, Uganda, Peru, Malaysia and New Zealand, it added.

McGetrick curated the projects based on his personal interpretation of design that emphasises four categories: innovation that transcends technology and exists independent of wealth; equality without hierarchy amongst universities, regions and designers; universal design opens to all types of projects; and impact on the world at large through solutions to some of the world's most pressing problems, said a statement.

He explained: “We organise the show to be a celebration of beautiful ideas. It features projects that are designed to directly benefit social and environmental causes.”

“By presenting a cross section of design programmes from around the world, we try to demonstrate how the brightest young minds are designing the future,” he added.

McGetrick continued: “The variety of programmes offers a unique view to the ways in which designers in different places, with different budgets, cultural contexts, and tools develop solutions to the problems and opportunities of our time.”

This year’s event announces the inaugural ‘Progress Prize’, which will be awarded to one exhibiting project, said a statement.

The winning prototype will be selected by an international jury from fields of journalism, design, manufacturing, innovation and investment and demonstrate originality of idea, social impact, international relevance and feasibility, it said.

Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi, CEO of Dubai Design District, said: “Our company welcomes the show back for another year as a part of Dubai Design Week. This event brings focus to the next generation of designers that will shape the future through design, science, and innovation and will be an exciting show for visitors to explore.”

“We are committed to supporting talent in education and our design community provides a unique platform where young designers can unite, co-create,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service