Held under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Deputy Supreme Commander of the U.A.E. Armed Forces, and organised by the Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee (TDC), the award winning Abu Dhabi Science Festival (ADSF) is back for the fourth consecutive year with the promise of even more family-friendly fun to amaze and inspire young people across the U.A.E. with the wondrous world of science.
ADSF 2014 will return for a 10-day spectacular to its popular Abu Dhabi Corniche (East Plaza) location, and for the first time at two new activations in Al Ain (Al Ain Zoo) and Sharjah (Al Majaz Waterfront). The Festival will run simultaneously at all three venues from 13 to 22 November, with purchased ADSF tickets required for some of the activities in the Abu Dhabi and Sharjah venues, while entry for ADSF at Al Ain will be free (subject to minimal Al Ain Zoo entry fee).
The Festival will build on the success of the previous editions with proven favourites returning to the venues at Al Ain and Sharjah, while over 60 per cent of the content at Abu Dhabi will be new and 20 of this year's activities are locally-inspired. ADSF's strong record of world class content will provide the best visitor experience with activities to involve and engage the whole family.
Director General of TDC, Ahmed Saeed Al Calily, said: "Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) is core to our nation's future as a knowledge based economy and it is vital that we inspire our young people to pursue careers in STI-related subjects so that it is embedded in the fabric of society. Science festivals are a global best practice format of science popularisation, and the success and popularity of ADSF proves there is a thirst for such knowledge in the U.A.E.. As a result, ADSF 2014 will reach out even further into the community than ever before, building on a rich record of success of igniting the interest of our youth in STI and I invite the youth and the families of the U.A.E. to attend this educational extravaganza." ADSF 2014 combines proven and popular science-related activities with new content, as well as shows to astound all who will attend. Popular shows and workshops, such as Splat!, Arabian Aromas and Super Science Show, will return at the fixed locations in Al Ain and Sharjah.
The expanded number of venues will allow even more students to attend through organised schools tours which have become an essential feature on the Abu Dhabi calendar. ADSF is once again collaborating with the U.A.E. Ministry of Education and its official Education Partner, the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC), on the Organised School Tours Program (OSTP); an integral part of the Festival that provides students with an opportunity to attend the festival accompanied by their teachers. This partnership also ensures activities are aligned with the science curriculum. The Festival's collaboration with the Ministry of Education is providing opportunities for students from Sharjah and neighbouring Emirates to attend the Festival in Sharjah.
Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Director General of ADEC, added: "STI is vital for the U.A.E. to be competitive in a global market environment, so it is essential that we encourage students to pursue STI both as part of their learning and future careers. ADSF is an important vehicle for students to become independent thinkers as designated under the New School Model." This year more than 1,000 university students, including ADSF Alumni, will be recruited locally as Science Communicators to work onsite at all locations to deliver the Festival's exciting content. A key factor in the success of ADSF, they are provided with world-class expert training to deliver this celebration of science in uniquely engaging ways to excite the next generation of scientists. Science Communicators are selected from across thirteen partner universities including; Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi Polytechnic, Al Ain University (Abu Dhabi and Al Ain campuses), Emirates College for Advanced Education, Higher Colleges of Technology – Abu Dhabi Men's and Women's Colleges, Higher Colleges of Technology – Sharjah Men's and Women's Colleges, Khalifa University, Paris Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, Petroleum Institute, United Arab Emirates University and Zayed University.
Saif Mohamed Al Hajeri, CEO of Tawazun, the ‘Presenting Sponsor' said: "Since its launch in 2011, the Abu Dhabi Science Festival has grown to be one of the leading events of its kind in the region. We at Tawazun are very pleased to be part of that growth and we look forward to further success this year and the years to come. A key mission of Tawazun is to contribute in building capabilities of the young generations and to motivate them to pursue careers in science and technology fields. Thanks to the vision and the continuous support of our wise leadership, we are on the right track to realising that goal through our long standing tie-up with the Abu Dhabi science Festival." "The Abu Dhabi Science Festival is an important feature of the company's community outreach calendar and we're delighted to participate and contribute to an event that engages and inspires the young. Highlighting the importance of science, technology and innovation is a great way to increase understanding, to encourage a path to a future career and to help explain how STI is integral to our day-to-day operations. We're proud to be part of this wonderful initiative and look forward to supporting it through our sponsorship and activation program on the Abu Dhabi Corniche," said Ibrahim Ahmed Al Ansaari, Chief Executive Officer, Dolphin Energy Limited.
Simon Gage, the Director of the Edinburgh International Science Festival (EISF), ADSF's ‘Content Partner', commented: "This is probably the world's most ambitious celebrations of popular science and it is a pleasure for Edinburgh International Science Festival to continue to be involved to stage the very best activities there are to excite and educate the young people and families of the U.A.E.. We look forward to entertaining and enthusing the tens of thousands that will visit the festival in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Al Ain." The 4th edition of the Abu Dhabi Science Festival is organised by TDC in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) as ‘Education Partner', Edinburgh International Science Festival (EISF) as ‘Content Partner', Tawazun as ‘Presenting Sponsor', Dolphin Energy as ‘Gold Sponsor'; ADNOC, ENEC, and Etihad Airways as ‘Affiliate Sponsors'; Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and the National Electronic Security Authority (NESA) as ‘Content Sponsors'; Municipality of Abu Dhabi City as ‘Exclusive Community Partner'; Abu Dhabi Media Company "Official Media Partner" with the festival produced by Flash Entertainment.
Source: WAM