Emirates Foundation Launches the “Think Science World Fair” Initiative

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Chairman of Emirates Foundation, Emirates Foundation, the national organization set up by the Abu Dhabi Government to facilitate public-private funded initiatives for the empowerment of youth across the UAE, announced the launch of the new “Think Science World Fair” initiative to take place in April 21-23, 2020 in Dubai.

The new Think Science World Fair, an ambitious initiative opening the door to all innovative young minds globally, which aims to be a destination for all talented youth, stimulating their curiosity and interest in various STI fields. 

For the first time, the Think Science World Fair is focusing on empowering the next generation of scientists both locally and internationally. In addition to the 8th edition of the “Think Science Undergraduate National Competition”, the fair will bring together hundreds of talented youth aged 15 to 25 from across the world, competing in the “Think Science World Competition”, encouraging education and the exchange of knowledge around science, technology and innovation. The fair will also provide opportunities to for youth to be engaged in interactive hand-on experiments, educational workshops and experientials showcases.  In addition, youth will have a unique opportunity to interact with leading industry giants in the field of science, technology and innovation (STI) who will advise youth and expose them to cutting edge technology breakthroughs, showcasing the power of innovation and their practical applications to advancing number of industry sectors through the Think Science Connect Platform.

Commenting on the Think Science World Fair, His Excellency Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Managing Director of Emirates Foundation said: 

"Investing in youth is a major focus of our wise leadership and is at the heart of Emirates Foundation’s mission. The Think Science World Fair is a unique UAE initiative that is aligned with the UAE Government’s emphasis on encouraging innovation, a foundation of progress not only for our nation, but for the world.”

His Excellency added: “I am very proud that we are launching Emirates Foundation’s “Think Science World Fair” initiative, which is opening its door for all budding scientists from across the world and offering  a destination for all youth, inspiring and encouraging them to further develop their knowledge and analytical thinking, and enabling them to become active participants in finding groundbreaking solutions to challenges that affect us all, regardless of our geography.”

The Think Science World Fair will feature the newly launched Think Science World Competition, which encourages youth to design science-based innovations that address society’s most pressing challenges and aims to support young science talent in gaining the right exposure and support to help them successfully launch their projects. Youth finalists will compete with their scientific innovations during the Think Science World Fair in April 2020, and winners to be announced on the last day of the event.

His Excellency noted that the Fair and Competition provide a unique platform for global youth and equally Emirati youth to excel to showcase their talent in science and technology, develop knowledge and share expertise, and be part of the UAE’s growth today and in the future.

Think Science has empowered over 98,000 youth since its inception in 2013 and the Competition has attracted a total number of 16,800 contestants during that same time frame who developed and competed with more than 2,000 innovative projects. 

The Competition has also graduated nearly 1,260 Think Science Ambassadors who were provided with opportunities to participate in local, regional, and international science knowledge exchange activities, that develops their knowledge and analytical thinking, and have gone on to represent the UAE and have received winning prizes at prestigious international forums such as the International Science and Engineering Fair Competition (ISEF) in the US.