Hamdan Foundation Concludes Innovative Summer Programme For UAE's Gifted Youth

The Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences wrapped up its 2024 Summer Programme for Giftedness and Innovation on Tuesday, July 23. Running from July 8 to 23, the programme engaged 165 students from various Emirates across the UAE.

In his speech, Abdulnour Al-Hashimi, Acting CEO of the Foundation, underscored their dedication to fostering talented and innovative students. He highlighted their efforts in providing scientific opportunities that promote innovative thinking and sustainable solutions while keeping pace with scientific advancements.

Al-Hashimi emphasised the importance of participating in local and international competitions to enhance national presence globally. He stated, "We are pleased with the success of the programme, which adds to our efforts in achieving the noble goals pursued by the initiative's founder, the late Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, may his soul rest in peace, with the continuous support and interest of our wise leadership in education and learners."

He also noted that students' enthusiasm for the Foundation's activities reflects a high level of family awareness about such programs' significance. This awareness is crucial for refining and investing talents for future national and human benefit.

The role of partners like Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre and DP World was praised by Al-Hashimi. These institutions are pivotal in supporting a knowledge-based society. He also expressed gratitude towards participating students and administrators for their excellent performance and management throughout the programme.

Al-Hashimi remarked, "We are proud of what the Summer Program for Giftedness and Innovation has achieved this year, where we witnessed active participation from students who excelled in presenting their projects and innovative ideas. This programme represents a valuable opportunity to develop skills and enhance creativity among the youth, aligning with the vision of Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation to support education and innovation in our community."

Keynote Session on AI

The closing ceremony featured a keynote session by Engineer Nawaf Al Suwaid titled "Artificial Intelligence and the Future: How AI Will Make Us More Creative". He discussed how artificial intelligence impacts various life fields and its potential to boost creativity and innovation.

Sponsors such as DP World and Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre were honoured for their contributions to the programme's success. Talented students and supervisors who significantly guided and trained participants were also recognised.

Diverse Activities for Students

The Summer Programme included numerous activities targeting students aged 10 to 22 years. Workshops covered areas like artificial intelligence, digital manufacturing, design, digital printing, programming, architecture, and remote sensing. Scientific visits were made to leading organisations such as Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre and DP World.

The programme also featured group dialogues and individual sessions offering guidance to help students grow positively in cognitive and professional fields. A virtual session titled "Talents Make a Difference" was held for parents of talented students.

Exhibition Showcasing Student Projects

The ceremony concluded with an exhibition displaying student projects. The diverse range of innovations showcased reflected the programme's success in enhancing students' skills and developing their innovative capabilities.

This year's Summer Programme for Giftedness and Innovation has demonstrated significant achievements through active student participation. The event has provided a platform for young minds to develop essential skills aligning with Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation's vision of supporting education and innovation within the community.

With inputs from WAM