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The award aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among university and high school students in the United Arab Emirates by providing a platform that encourages young people to develop their creative ideas and transform them into viable, real-world projects. This year, the total prize pool amounts to AED 100,000, distributed among winners in both school and university categories. The award winners will be announced and honored during the proceedings of the 10th International Forum on Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Expounding on the University of Sharjah’s support of talented and innovative students, His Excellency Prof. Hamid M. K. Al Naimiy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, emphasized that the University places a high priority on encouraging entrepreneurship. This is achieved through the establishment of startups and the promotion of innovative and sustainable scientific research to serve the community, thereby contributing to the development of an innovative and sustainable educational environment. The University also seeks to promote the concepts of entrepreneurship, startups, patents, and innovation among its students and faculty.
His Excellency Prof. Al Naimiy stressed the importance of integrating innovation into higher education and instilling it in the students’ cultural value systems thus transforming universities into creative institutions through diverse initiatives, embracing new ideas, expanding decision-making tools and mechanisms, and diversifying knowledge bases. He explained that the University of Sharjah, in collaboration with the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, established both the International Forum on Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Sharjah Chamber Award for Innovators due to the significant impact these initiatives have on promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. These initiatives aim to contribute to the building of a strong economy, increasing human knowledge, and developing national talent and capabilities in innovation and entrepreneurship.
His Excellency Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, affirmed that the Sharjah Chamber Award for Innovators is a pioneering initiative that promotes a culture of innovation among young people. His Excellency Abdullah Sultan Al Owais stated, “The award serves as a source of inspiration and motivation for students to develop their innovative ideas, providing them with the ideal environment to hone their skills, and which enables them to confidently venture in the world of entrepreneurship.” He noted that the award has seen widespread participation from university and school students across the country, reflecting the growing success of this initiative and its pivotal role in achieving the objectives of the UAE Centennial 2071.
In the same vein, Prof. Ilhan Ozturk, Dean of the College of Business Administration at the University of Sharjah, praised the strategic partnership between the University and the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, describing it as an exemplary model of collaboration between academic institutions and the economic sectors. He stated, “The award and the International Forum on Innovation and Entrepreneurship are instrumental in building a generation that is aware and capable of keeping pace with rapid changes in technology and the labor market, enhancing their ability to develop innovative solutions that positively contribute to societal development.”
Dr. Shaker Bani-Melhem, Chair of the Management Department at the College of Business Administration, explained that the award aims to empower students to develop their ideas and transform them into practical applications that make a tangible difference in their communities and the world. He added that the award honors eight winning teams, equally divided between school and university categories, ensuring equal opportunities for participants to present their innovations. The award features two main tracks: the sustainable innovation and employability track, which focuses on projects offering sustainable solutions and enhancing job opportunities, and the innovative projects track, which accepts entries of entrepreneurial projects providing creative solutions to societal challenges.
The International Forum on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, organized annually by the University of Sharjah, serves as a comprehensive platform that brings together innovators and startup founders from around the world. This provides opportunities for networking, exchanging ideas, and sharing experiences, further solidifying the University’s position as hub for innovation and entrepreneurship on a global scale.
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