The four-day interactive forum will bring together key figures from industry, government and academia for a series of keynote addresses, panel discussions and presentations from cutting-edge research and innovative startups in four strategic sectors of health, sustainability, education and emerging technologies.
The standout list of keynote speakers includes Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, chairman and general manager of VPS Healthcare; Engineer Anwaar Al Shimmari, Chief Innovation Officer in the UAE Department of Energy and Infrastructure; Saqr Al Hemeiri, Chief Innovation Officer, Ministry of Health and Prevention; Essa Al Hashemi, Head of Food Security Bureau, Prime Minister’s Office; Omar Al Mahmoud, CEO of the ICT Fund; Atif Al Braiki, CEO of Abu Dhabi Health Data Services; Mohamed Al Qubaisi, Chief Technology Officer at Injazat; and Masaood Al Masaood, vice chairman of Al Masaood Oil and Gas; and Tom Bornhorst, vice president of business development, applied research and international relations for SAIT, Canada.
Dr. Abdullatif Al Shamsi, President and CEO of HCT noted that the forum is an important endeavor that underpins the UAE’s national Innovate 2021 initiative. “It is very gratifying to see that this forum wholeheartedly supports the national innovation strategy and at the same time strengthens the innovation culture in our country. Such activities will fuel economic growth through a knowledge-based economy and help boost the UAE’s global competitiveness, ”he said.
Dr. Al Shamsi said the forum will also highlight the work of the HCT’s three InnCuVation Spaces, which were set up in March 2019 to encourage innovation, incubation and venturing of student projects and startups.
“These groundbreaking InnCuVation Spaces came after the HCT was named the UAE University’s first recognized economic free zone and enable its graduates to shape the future of the UAE,” he said.
“Through the forum and our continued focus on innovative practices, we strategically support the development of innovative business ideas for students, from concept to development and incubation to eventual commercialization,” he added.
“We empower Emirati entrepreneurs and provide the necessary tools to create a new generation of young entrepreneurs. To do this, we need an integrated approach with the government, the private and public sectors to support innovative projects and ensure their success in the market, ”said Dr. Al Shamsi.
Mr Nicola Bettio, HCT Executive Director for Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, said the forum’s theme, Reach, Connect, Launch, captured the essence of innovation, applied research and entrepreneurship practices at HCT.
“We want delegates to look for and explore great innovation opportunities in each of the four strategic sectors as they connect with public, private and government stakeholders to forge new and useful collaborations, launch and launch effective applied research projects – outsource ups, “he said.
“We work tirelessly to develop successful startups and promote future generations of entrepreneurs. We look forward to welcoming our current and future industrial and government partners, angel investors, as well as our faculties and students. “
Panels of industry and government experts, focusing on a different forum sector each day, will examine key innovation trends and their impact on society over the next decade. The panel discussions will be followed by presentations of applied HCT research and start-ups that contribute to innovation in these specific areas.
Inspire and Ideate sessions are held each day, where teams of experts examine key industry trends to help HCT students and faculties envision high potential opportunities on which to focus their applied research and entrepreneurship.
The fourth day is dedicated to the students who present their innovative start-up concepts to a jury that includes members of the Emirates Angels Investors Association. The day will open with keynote speeches by Omar Al Mahmoud, CEO of the ICT Fund, and Masaood Al Masaood, Chairman of the Emirates Angels Investors Association. There will also be a “Speed Matchmaking” session on that day, during which students try to work with members of the HCT faculty to help mentor and incubate their projects.
Visit https://hct.ac.ae/en/events/inncuvation-forum-2021/
© Press release 2021
