Emirati students and innovators have little over a month to register for the 2016 Think Science competition organised by the Emirates Foundation, with the support of the Ministry of Education and the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec).

The nationwide challenge is open to Emiratis aged between 15 and 35 and is meant to encourage the UAE youth to develop, design and build science-based innovations.

Just as in previous years, the 2016 competition will comprise three interrelated projects designed to help realise the potential of the UAE youth in the field of science: Think Science Competition, Think Science Connect and Think Science Ambassadors.

The fourth edition this year will target up to 600 university and high school students and other individuals, who will put forth 220 projects in the science categories of electrical engineering, environmental sciences and management, industrial and mechanical systems, energy, smart and safety systems, physics and chemistry, transportation, aerodynamics and aviation.

For the first time this year, Emirates Foundation opened the doors not just to students, but also to talented young adults between 25 and 35 years, who have completed their academic studies.

"This competition will go a long way towards embedding innovation in the education process, while encouraging schools and universities to instil a passion for research, investigation and exploration," said Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, director-general of Adec.

The competition aims to attract youth to pursue careers in scientific fields, such as engineering, the aviation industry, energy and health to meet the nation's demand for scientific talents. In the last edition, Think Science attracted 550 participants and more than 60 of them were recognised for their innovations in the fields of science and technology with a total of 27 prizes awarded to youth in 12 science categories.

"Think Science aims to encourage and celebrate youth across the UAE, providing them with opportunities to further develop their knowledge and analytical thinking," said Maytha Al Habsi, Chief Programmes Officer at the Emirates Foundation.

Emirates Foundation will announce the submissions by year-end, while the executed projects will be judged by up to 60 academia and industry professionals and experts during the final Think Science Fair in April. The winning projects will be announced in a special ceremony in May 2016.

To enter the competition, participants must register and upload their proposals on www.emiratesfoundation.ae/thinkscience by November 7.
Source: Khaleej Times