UAE marks 44th National Day; Reports on Progress

From 33 submissions, three engineering projects were chosen by a committee of top national industrial and engineering organisations and university professors to receive the Best Technology Project Award during 2015.

The first project is a multi-floor electronically operated parking building. A sensor system is used to eliminate traffic jams and accidents in parking spaces. The basic concept of the project is implementing an automated electronic system to control multi-floor parking buildings. As soon as a car enters the ground floor of the parking building, the sensor-based electronic system automatically parks it.

The second project, a temperature control device, is a safer ATM system. Its strengths are its simplicity, cheap components and usability in hot weather and with accurate temperature control. Based on a simplified design of a temperature sensor, the device measures room temperature and translates it into millivolts of electric current. The current is subsequently amplified, followed by a comparison of the temperature generated by the sensor with the desired room temperature. This is measured, in turn, through an alternating resistance.

The third project is a temperature control device related to information technology, an ATM simulation system presented by a group of distinguished UAE students.

Aiming at encouraging scientific innovation and technological progress in the UAE, the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) was established as a strategic government initiative. The main vision of the institution is to use effective means in advanced technology and precise space information for a range of applications that contributes to sustainable progress and supports the rapid growth of industrial and economic sectors in Dubai and the rest of the UAE.

Innovation: Following the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Cabinet endorsed the declaration of 2015 as the “Year of Innovation.”

The Cabinet issued directives to all federal authorities to strengthen efforts and collaboration, and launched a comprehensive review of general government policies in order to create a stimulating environment for innovation that will transform the UAE into a leading global hub in the field.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, subsequently announced UAE Innovation Week, to be held from November 22nd-28th, 2015, and invited all government, private and academic institutions to participate in the multiple events of the week.

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa also approved the Emirates Science, Technology and Innovation Higher Policy, which includes 100 national initiatives in education, healthcare, energy, transport, space and water sectors with total investments of over AED300 billion. The plan also includes a series of new legislative, investment, technological, educational and financial policies that aim to transform the national economy and reduce its dependence on oil, while ensuring the progress of science and knowledge in the UAE during the coming years.