Department of eGovernment Unlocks the Technical Potential of Sharjah Police’s Inmates With an ‘Arduino’ Workshop

More than a dozen inmates at the Punishment & Correctional Institution Department in Sharjah participated in a highly engaging and innovative technology workshop built around the Arduino programming system, recently organised by Sharjah Department of eGovernment (DeG) in collaboration with Sharjah Police G.H.Q.

An ‘out of the box’ rehabilitative activity designed and conducted by DeG’s experts, the ‘Arduino workshop’ introduced inmates to one of the most popular open-source microprocessor platforms, Arduino, which is distinguished for being simple yet powerful in creating dynamic projects in a variety of fields while igniting curiosity and innovation.

Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director General of Sharjah DeG, said: Our collaboration with Sharjah Police is one step forwards in realising our mission to maximize DeG’s digital reach to government entities as well as every citizen in Sharjah. The inmates who participated in this workshop are part of our citizenry, and it is our key responsibility to engage them in innovative technological activities which trigger creativity and innovation and introduce them to an infinite universe of ideas. Through this event, we sought to encourage our inmates to gainfully use their free time by providing them with the necessary means that can develop their innovative skills and abilities.”

Colonel Khalifa Al Marri, Director of Punishment & Correctional Institution Department at Sharjah Police G.H.Q, said: "The rehabilitation of the inmates of Punishment & Correctional Institution Department is one of the most important goals we continually strive to achieve. Through our efforts, we want to facilitate the integration of inmates into society and enhance their participation in public life after their jail terms to be able to better serve themselves and their families. We are pleased with DeG's participation and sharing this goal with us by conducting this workshop.”

“The activity coincided with the ‘Unified GCC Inmates Week’, which aims to train inmates to be able to support their families and community after their release, and encourage the society to contribute to inmates’ full integration,” he added.

Participating inmates were divided into groups, and each inmate was taught how to build simplified prototypes of sensors similar to those used in vehicles. By precisely following the tips and instructions in manuals that were given to them, the inmates learned how to build other prototypes to measure the distance between a body and the sensor, which reflected on a digital screen connected to wires and electrical capacitors. They also learned how to make a mini piano, on which an inmate played the UAE national anthem.

DeG adopts a precise approach that creates a balance between the desire for change and innovation in order to provide the highest standards of digital services and protection for the emirate's ICT infrastructure in alignment with the UAE's strategy to achieve excellence in all domains to ensure customers' happiness.