ADFD Offers Zayed University Financial Grant to Support Innovation

Aims to Support UAE Innovation Week

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 20 September, 2015 –Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has extended a financial grant to Zayed University (ZU) to support the university’s participation in the UAE Innovation Week as well as promote innovative projects undertaken by its students.

The UAE Innovation Week is marked in November under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to promote innovation across government sectors and departments to make the UAE a world leader in innovativion.
The grant was received by Shamsa Al Taie, Director of Student Life in ZU from Salem Al Rashedi, Support Services Director, ADFD at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

Thanking ADFD for its continued support for ZU’s efforts to promote innovation, Dr Fatima Al Darmaki, Assistant Provost for Students Affairs said: “ZU has always been committed to innovation and has consistently invested in quality improvements. Several events and activities were organized so that young students can create projects that will provide wide and lasting benefits to the local community as well as ZU fraternity.”

“This grant will help ZU motivate and encourage its students to create ground-breaking projects through a ZU competition that will be held from November 1 to November 5,” she added. 

On this occasion, Salem Al Rashedi, Support Services Director at the ADFD, said: “We are keen to highlight and strengthen the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within the UAE through supporting creative projects and fresh ideas generated by young generations.”

“The UAE holds a prominent place in the field of innovation among many other nations, thanks to the directions and guidance of the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who declared 2015 ‘Year of Innovation’ and placed all efforts to cultivate innovation as a cornerstone of the country’s long-term economic strength,” said Al Rashedi.

Al Rashedi also pointed out that to keep pace with the rapid changes, more new tools and original ideas should be generated consistently. He added that the ADFD’s support for universities and research centers that nurture innovation comes as part of its social responsibility programme that aims to complement the efforts of national organisations in achieving social development.

Shamsa Al Taie, Director of Student Life in ZU, said: “The aim of this competition is to strengthen the national identity among young emiratis, improve their ability to think creatively, and engage passionate students in national initiatives to polish their skills, gain professional experience, and contribute to achieve the UAE leaders’ vision.

“Winners of the competition will present their projects in front of a panel of judges made up of professors and industry experts,” she added.