UAE Innovates 2023 -UAE will be in full innovation gear

Throughout February, UAE will be in full innovation gear during UAE Innovates 2023 organised by the Mohammed bin Rashid Center of Government Innovation (MBRCGI).

This year the focus will be on innovation that leads to sustainability.

Launched in 2015, this year’s UAE Innovates promises to be the largest ever with participation from federal entities, the public sector and private sector and the community throughout the month of February.

The event which will be launched during the National Science, Technology and Innovation Festival on the first of February will include events and programs held throughout the nation, in all seven emirates.

Huda Al Hashimi, UAE Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Affairs on Wednesday announced,“This is the biggest event of its kind in the world and this year the focus will be on innovation that leads to sustainability.”

“The UAE seeks to lead the world when it comes to innovation in all areas of life in order to improve the quality of life of society and to boost its competitiveness and capabilities,” she said emphasizing the importance of inculcating the culture of innovation.

The UAE Innovates 2023 will witness a series of events, both virtual and in person, in all parts of the country aiming to support talent for innovation. One of these events is the UAE Innovates exhibition which will be held in collaboration with Global Village. It will also witness collaborations with the New Media Academy and NAS academy and community collaboration such as Ferjan Dubai, a community project focusing on neighborhoods in Dubai.

The UAE Innovation awards will also be held as part of the closing ceremony and will recognize winners in various categories. This year, a new category was introduced for innovation in the area of sustainability.

Other categories are: Most Innovative Use of Resources, Most Innovative Digital Transformation, Most Innovative Automated Government Procedure, Most Innovative Community Services, Most Innovative Government Process and Most Innovative Disruptive Project. Applications for this award will close on Feb 3. The judging criteria are novelty, impact, proactivity, replicability, rapid response and agility.

Pitch@gov is another initiative taking places during UAE Innovates 2023 and features a collaboration between MBRCGI and the Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund. Participants will be required to offer solutions for challenges in two areas: transportation in collaboration with the Roads and Transportation Authority and health in collaboration with the Emirates Health Services. Winners will be provided support and funding to put their teams together and to create their business plans.