Sheikha Bodour inaugurates Innovation Month in Sharjah

Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), inaugurated the UAE Innovation Month activities in Sharjah at the Sharjah Book Authority today (Saturday, Feb.8). Being held under the patronage of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, from Feb.8 to 14, the week-long event features more than 80 Sharjah and UAE government organisations, universities, private sector players and international companies. 

With as many as 48 workshops and presentations from five universities including the University of Sharjah, the American University of Sharjah, Higher Colleges of Technology, Academy of Police Sciences, and Al Qasimia University, the UAE Innovation Month in Sharjah celebrates the nation’s spirit of innovation and scientific creativity in dealing with challenges of the future. Thirty-two events are being hosted by Sharjah and the UAE government sector and private sector companies based in the emirate.

Sheikha Bodour visited the various participating stands and inspected their innovations and offerings.  She was received and briefed by Hessa Bint Eisa Buhumaid, UAE Minister for Community Development, on the role being played by the UAE Ministry of Community Development to support the nation’s march of progress.

Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, Head of the UAE Innovation Month Committee in Sharjah, said that the week-long event provides an ideal opportunity for local and federal government entities and private sector players to exchange ideas and benefit from their successful experiences in various vital areas such as exploration, future skills, quality of life, transport, mobility, communication and in other technologies to serve the nation.

The UAE Innovation Month in Sharjah has been attracting some of the brightest minds, innovators and young thinkers as well as organisations and universities who are all driven by the same spirit of innovation and enterprise.

Workshops

The UAE Innovation Month in Sharjah Committee, in cooperation with the participating government organisations, universities and entities, is hosting as many as 65 workshops and presentations in various fields and specialised sectors, mapping out the nation’s vision and preparation for a fast evolving future.

Sharjah Municipality Workshops: On day one of the UAE Innovation Month in Sharjah, Sharjah Municipality conducted three workshops showcasing the civic body’s culture of creativity and innovation. 

Innovation Probe: The first workshop on ‘Innovation Probe’ was presented by Zainab Al Buqeish, Head of Contracts and Classification at Sharjah Municipality, highlighting methods of stimulating thought and reason using six basic rules and exercises.

The Little Programmer: The workshop ‘The Little Programmer,’ presented by Fatima Al-Antili and Jawaher Al-Dahbah, taught children the basics of programming and algorithms in a simple and fun way, through a website that gives programming commands to carry out several tasks.

Innovation Lab: A number of children took part in the third workshop, Innovation Lab, which was presented by Dana Al Junaibi, a lab technician, Asma Al Shaibani, a microbiological analyst, Alia Al Mazloum, a chemical analyst, and Sarah Bin Khadem, a microbiological analyst. The workshop saw the participants carry out scientific experiments in the Ibn Sina Laboratory, Ibn Al-Nafees Laboratory, and Jaber Bin Hayyan Laboratory, in an exciting manner.

Sharjah Girl Guides: On day one, Sharjah Girl Guides also conducted two workshops. The first one titled, “3 Doodle Pens”, saw the participants draw various shapes and figures using “Doodle” pens. The second workshop highlighted the various fun ways 3D printing technology was being used to create various designs, objects and buildings.

Meanwhile, Sharjah City witnessed a fascinating parade of classic cars on Saturday. As part of the UAE Innovation Month in Sharjah activities the Sharjah Old Cars Club organised a parade of classic cars that started from the Flag Island and ended at the Sharjah Book Authority, wowing spectators along the way. The classic cars parade was aimed at promoting the UAE Innovation Month activities in the Emirate.