Dubai Quality Group concluded the 4th UAE Ideas Conference & Award by Recognizing Emirati Inventors

Dubai (26 November 2015) UAE, Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of the Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of the Emirates Airline and the Honorary Patron of Dubai Quality Group, DQG organized the 4th UAE Ideas Conference & Award 2015 on 26 November at Four Seasons Resort, Jumeirah, Dubai. The conference discussed how Emirati ideas and innovation is the cornerstone of a progressive and sustainable nation.

In line with this very vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who launched the UAE Innovation Week from 22- 28 November 2015, Dubai Quality Group actively celebrated the initiative by hosting the UAE Ideas Awards.

The conference, in the last three years, has played its role in encouraging innovative and creative practices through the various keynote presentations and panel discussions by experts in the field of innovation as well as inventors who have made the country proud with their inventions.

H. E. Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Culture, Youth & Community Development, officially inaugurated the conference.

He expressed his vision saying “I am pleased and proud to be a part of the conference under the vision of my brother Sheikh Ahmed Bin Sayed. I also thank the founding fathers of Emirates who have guided us to walk in the path of creativity and innovation. We continue to support emerging and evolving ideas at regional and global levels to enhance the UAE human resource. I am happy the way Dubai Quality Group has provided a platform to the people of UAE to present their ideas through case studies. What has also caught my attention and one of the reasons for me supporting the event is the emphasis on promotion of Arabic language that will strengthen our national identity. There is a lot of optimism and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development is in full support of the initiative aimed at social and economic welfare through innovation. We will adhere to our National target of making the UAE as a destination for innovation and creativity and be recognized worldwide.”

The annual award ceremony accepted entries in various categories that encouraged Emirati Human Resources and promoted the UAE Culture and the Arabic language.

The entries went through an assessment process, by the end of which one winning entry received the trophy from H.E Ahmad Abdul Rahman Al Banna, UAE Ambassador to India.

1. Innovation in promoting Arabic language- Dubai Municipality

2. Innovation in promoting National Identity-

Dubai Police & CG High School for Girls

1. Innovation in promoting, encouraging and empowerment of UAE citizens- Emirates Transport and Du

2. Promoting marketing and representation of UAE abroad-Al Bayan Newspaper

3. Promoting voluntary and humanitarian work- UAE Red Crescent

4. Promoting e-Government- Dubai Culture and UAE Red Crescent

5. Promoting environmental work. (Eco Applications)- Al Bayan Newspaper

6. Promoting business- DHA and Dubai Taxi

7. Media coverage of a national initiative- Dubai Police

8. Promoting Emirati inventors (Young Inventor and Overall Inventor)- Dubai Police

In order to adopt UAE’s strategic plan of innovation, research and sustainable development, Dubai Quality Group, through the UAE Ideas supported the creation of an integrated platform that encourages enterprises investing in Emirati human resources, supports the development of an ideal work environment that will stimulate and encourage employees to be creative and innovative and highlights the role of Emiratis in the development of the nation. The conference also aimed to promote the Arabic language in line with the government’s vision of restoring heritage and national pride.

The UAE Ideas Conference and Award Ceremony formed a platform that served to recognize and honor entities and individuals for their creative ideas and contributions, while at the same time motivating and inspiring others to follow their footsteps.

An eminent team of Emirati inventors- Eng. Wasfi Alshdaifat, Eida Almuhairbi, and Farah Afif Kassab, who have contributed to more than half of the inventions of Abu Dhabi, making it the top Arab Capital for innovation presented their case study on “Innovation and Invention Culture.”

Dr. Wafi Dawood, Chief of Strategy & Excellence Knowledge & Human Development Authority spoked on “Innovation & Happiness” and Shaker Zainal, Head of Distribution Mashreq Bank discussed on the topic “How to make your workplace innovation-friendly”

Fatima Alkaabi, the young Emirati Inventor shared her success story with the audience.

Dr. Eesa Bastaki, President University of Dubai spoke on “Towards Sustainable Smarter Cities”.

Dr. Dr. Abdulrahman Al Muaini, Vice Chairman of Dubai Quality Group stated, "Through the UAE Ideas we seek to find the best solutions to improve services and integrate innovation at par with global standards. We want to encourage UAE nationals to come ahead with creative and sustainable ideas and work towards the progress of the nation.’’

Regarding the importance of promoting Arabic language along with UAE's national identity, Dr. Abdulrahman Al Muaini added, “The UAE Ideas conference will be adopting government guidelines regarding the promotion of Arabic language through rewarding the creative ideas and innovation in this field.”

Ms. Feryal Tawakul, Chair of the Ideas Arabia Subgroup said "In line with the initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who has dedicated a week exclusively for innovation, we are holding UAE Ideas Conference & Award for the fourth year in a row to play our part in supporting & encouraging creativity in the UAE. This year, organizations from various sectors have shown much interest to participate in the award. This in itself is an indication that the confidence in the award has grown, and a proof that the culture of innovation is growing among the citizens and residents in UAE.”

Dubai Quality Group invited senior leaders and prominent personalities from the public and private sectors within the UAE to participate in UAE Ideas Conference 2015 and take benefit and inspiration from the insightful conference.

The event was sponsored this year by Dubai Customs, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority, Dubai Land Department and Emirate Global Aluminum as Main Sponsors and Dubai Municipality and Emirates Transport as Gold Sponsors.

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About Dubai Quality Group:

Dubai Quality Group is a non-profit organization set up by the Dubai Department of Economic Development under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. Guided by the vision of H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Quality Group was established in 1994 to develop and promote Quality and Business Excellences practices in UAE. The group organizes mainly Quality and Business Excellence topics related trainings, events and programs throughout the year with the objective of improving and promoting Quality of Service & Business Excellence in the region. DQG hosts Free Evening Seminars conducted exclusively for DQG member organizations, to provide their employees with an effective platform for networking and knowledge sharing. Dubai Quality Group offers 3 categories of membership to companies; Investor Partner, Corporate Membership, Affiliate Membership, Individual Membership.