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Second Arab Camp for Talented and Innovative Youth Kicks Off at University of Sharjah with 35 Student Participants from 21 Arab Countries
The activities and events of the Second Arab Camp for Talented and Innovative Youth were launched under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah (UoS). The camp is organized by the Arab Organization for Education, Culture and Science (ALECSO), a specialized agency of the Arab League, in collaboration with the University of Sharjah. With the theme "Together to Innovate," the event will be held over two days from December 16 to 17, 2024, and will feature 35 students from 21 Arab countries. The camp aims to empower Arab youth to effectively utilize scientific research methodologies and innovation, while providing greater opportunities for networking and collaboration among young people from across the Arab world to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030. The event also seeks to enable Arab youth to explore their cultural heritage and historical legacy.
In his opening speech, Prof. Yousef Haik, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Sharjah, welcomed the attendees and participating students to the University. He emphasized that the camp aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, who places great importance on nurturing young minds and enabling them to contribute effectively to the development of their communities. He stressed the significance of innovation and scientific research as essential pillars for achieving sustainable development. He also added that His Highness’s continuous support has enabled the University of Sharjah to become an educational and research platform that enhances students' capabilities and provides them with multiple venues for creativity and leadership.
Prof. Haik further added that the camp reflects the shared vision of both the University and ALECSO, aiming to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among youth within educational institutions at both the local and regional levels. It serves as a platform that brings together ambitious Arab minds to showcase their creative ideas, exchange knowledge and experiences, and address sustainability issues, as well as the preservation of cultural and natural heritage.
In his speech, Dr. Mohamed Sand Abu Darwish, Director of the Department of Science and Scientific Research at the Arab Organization for Education, Culture and Science (ALECSO), emphasized that the department aims to strengthen the role of science and research in addressing the challenges that impact the development of Arab countries. He outlined the organization’s efforts to support the transfer and localization of modern technologies, promote environmental awareness for the protection and sustainable management of natural resources, and aid Arab efforts to tackle the potential impacts of climate change, natural disasters, and the expansion of clean energy usage. Dr. Abu Darwish also highlighted the importance of focusing on the ethical implications of scientific and technological applications, as well as fostering creativity and innovation in higher education. He explained that this can be achieved through activities designed to equip students with critical thinking, creativity, and innovative mind-sets.
Dr. Hussein Al Mahdi, acting Dean of Branch Affairs at the University of Sharjah and Head of the Preparatory Committees for the Camp, explained that this year’s camp brings together 35 students from across the Arab world. Over two days, participants will present their pioneering projects, which will be assessed during four evaluation sessions by a panel of experts. In addition, a special exhibition will showcase these projects, providing a platform to highlight the creativity of Arab youth. Dr. Al Mahdi further noted that alongside the main activities, the camp will feature a visit to the Sharjah Academy of Space and Astronomy, with astronomical presentations and star-gazing activities, as well as a tour of the University of Sharjah's facilities. He also mentioned that the winners will be announced at the conclusion of the camp.
This year’s camp offers Arab youth aged 18-24 the opportunity to present their innovative ideas in fields related to Arab cultural, ecological, and scientific heritage, the preservation and restoration of historical and heritage sites, traditional industries, the use of digital technologies in heritage preservation, green heritage to combat climate change, and the promotion of eco-tourism. The camp aims to provide solutions to challenges in various vital fields through specialized workshops, interactive sessions, team collaborations, and field visits, all within a competitive environment where young Arab minds can present their ground-breaking ideas to a panel of experts, entrepreneurs, and both local and international investors.
In addition, this year's camp aims to address the challenges facing the region and the world across various fields, while harnessing the entrepreneurial ideas of young Arabs to provide sustainable solutions that benefit Arab communities. The camp also seeks to support youth in developing their creative and innovative skills, linking them with business incubators to help nurture their ideas and strengthen their teamwork abilities. Additionally, the camp aims to connect young innovators with industrial and productive sectors capable of adopting their projects. It also provides Arab youth with the opportunity to explore the cultural and civilizational identity of each host country, which helps strengthen the bonds among young people from different Arab nations.