Day: November 8, 2022

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has organised a Metaverse and Digital Twin Hackathon, in collaboration with the Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai and Sharjah. This is in line with its continuous efforts to strengthen Dubai’s position as an incubator for creativity and a beacon of innovation; to ensure Dubai remains at the forefront of cities that anticipate and shape the future. 24 students participated in the Hackathon. The Hackathon included workshops on DEWA and Metaverse and DEWA and Digital Twin to motivate and inspire participants to create advanced technology solutions through designs and prototypes.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, highlighted DEWA’s keenness to share its pioneering experience in Metaverse, digital twinning and Artificial Intelligence to encourage students, youth and all members of society to provide innovative solutions that accelerate growth. This helps achieve the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to benefit from digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence to promote performance and improve people’s quality of life. This also boosts the Dubai Metaverse Strategy launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, that aims to turn Dubai into one of the world’s top 10 Metaverse economies as well as a global hub for the Metaverse community, to enhance its success in this field.

“DEWA is committed to launching initiatives, programmes and events that contribute to instilling a culture of creativity and innovation, in line with the National Innovation Strategy to make the UAE among the most innovative countries in the world, and the Dubai Innovation Strategy, to make Dubai the most innovative city in the world. DEWA supports national efforts to empower and train the youth and invest in their potential, time, and skills. This qualifies them to become the next generation of sustainability leaders and to carry on the journey of development in the UAE in all areas. This also helps achieve the UAE Centennial 2071 to make the UAE the world’s leading nation. We strive to enhance our use of the Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, including the Metaverse, which is a key pillar and a new method of work in all vital sectors, to harness this technology to find new opportunities, to improve the happiness of stakeholders,” added Al Tayer.

DEWA is one of the 1st local government organisation to launch its platform ‘DEWAVerse’ on the Metaverse. DEWA invests in Metaverse technology to implement and develop its current and future projects, contributing to stakeholder happiness, business development, efficiency and production, and cost reduction.

Source: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority

DUBAI, Zayed University (ZU) hosted members of the Government of Dubai at its state-of-the-art innovation lab, ‘The NextGen Centre’, to explore opportunities to collaborate on research in innovative technologies linked to the UAE strategic priorities and the 17 UN Global Goals.

University–industry-Government collaboration for the development of innovation is vitally important in helping to create a strong and sustained innovation ecosystem both locally and nationally.

Innovation is a key driver of economic growth, increased productivity, and job creation and is at the heart of the UAE’s strategic priorities, especially as the nation transitions to a knowledge-based economy.

Backed by wide-ranging partners such as SAP, IBM, Cisco, and Microsoft, alongside leading startups and government entities, the pioneering NextGen Centre serves as an important element in this innovation ecosystem.

This approach benefits industry and Government partners as well as the students at ZU as it provides the opportunity for valuable research to be undertaken that lead to technology solutions that address real-world industry challenges.

By working on real life challenges, the research undertaken also provides valuable training and experience for students in advanced technologies such as cyber security, programming, and the application of Artificial Intelligence.

Dr. Fatma Taher, Director of the ZU NextGen Centre and Associate Professor at the College of Technological Innovation, welcomed the Government delegation to the Centre.

Dr. Taher said, “Innovation is at the core of enabling the UAE’s strategic priorities for the next 50 years of achievements, and we are delighted to explore further collaborations with our government partners in Dubai. The NextGen Centre is a pioneering approach that brings real-world solutions to the challenges faced by industry and Government underpinned by our extensive research capabilities at Zayed University.

“We are always committed to serving the innovation sector by extending our collaborations and partnerships to be able to see the impact of developing opportunities in technological advancement. It also provides our students valuable experience in this innovation ecosystem which helps prepare them with the skills for their future careers.”

The Centre opens possibilities for students to receive professional training certification and help engage our students in Internship opportunities with partners of Zayed University, which gives students an edge when it comes to applying for future jobs.

Zayed University faculty will supervise student research projects by leveraging the experiences and programmes the Centre will deliver. NextGen will also launch Hackathon Competitions at the national and international levels each year. The Centre will also engage and collaborate with the global community of educators and students, especially our MSc students looking to continue their studies.

Source: Emirates News Agency