University of Sharjah Arms Students With Tools to Innovate for the Future

EMIRATI PROFESSOR DR AMEL IBRAHIM AL ALI EXPLAINS CONCEPT OF ‘MIND MAPPING’ AND HOW IT HELPS STUDENTS CONTRIBUTE TO UAE’S VISION 2021

SHARJAH, November 22, 2016:  Scientists, faculty and students of the University of Sharjah (UoS) have been making a number of highly interesting presentations, based on their research projects and scientific studies, at the ongoing UAE Innovation Week in Sharjah, being celebrated from November 20 to 26 at Expo Centre Sharjah. 

As part of its efforts to inculcate the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship in its students and help them prepare for the challenges of the future, the University has included Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship as part of the course, said Dr Amel Ibrahim Al Ali, Assistant Professor of College of Business Administration, UoS,              

Mind Mapping and Innovation
Making a presentation about “Mind Mapping and Innovation” Dr Amel Ibrahim Al Ali, an Emirati professor who studied in UK, said mind mapping helps us understand our minds and unleash our potential. This is being used to help students understand their own latent potential and how they can generate creative ideas and innovate to help them later in their life, with their businesses, careers or whatever they do in life, she said.  

“For instance, many of our students whose projects you see here today did not believe that they could create and innovate and come up with such fantastic projects,” she explained.  “We are preparing them for the challenges for the future.”   

Teaching Innovation for Future  
Dr Al Ali explained how education combined with innovation can contribute to making a difference. “As part of the UAE’s Vision 2021, we need constant innovation, entrepreneurship and new ideas to build a knowledge-based society and economy and a better life to reach our goal of happiness for all,” she emphasised.  Mind mapping helps in creating the tools that can innovate and generate new ideas for a better life, such as delivering better government services and development, she added. 

The UoS has the largest innovation stand at the week-long festival of ideas at the Expo Centre, attracting hundreds of university students and visitors. The stand features dozens of scientific projects and innovations by UoS students, which are inspired by the vision that science and innovations should make life easier and contribute to achieving the goal of a knowledge-driven, happy society.    

The day two of the UAE Innovation Week in Sharjah, being celebrated under the patronage of HH Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and under the auspices of the Sharjah Consultative Council, attracted hundreds of students from across the Emirate’s universities, colleges and schools and other visitors.         

The UAE Innovation Week is a nationwide celebration of innovation for everyone in the UAE in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.  

It is one of the largest innovation initiatives in the world and a consolidated effort by government, private sector and individuals to help create a widespread culture of innovation in the UAE and strengthen its position as a global hub for innovation and life solutions.   

The week-long festival of ideas brings together hundreds of experts, innovators and academics representing public and private sector organisations, universities and government bodies and is set to see more than 110 activities including, workshops, exhibitions, debates and skits.            

All the activities of the UAE Innovation Week in Sharjah are open to members of public and media. The exhibition hall of Expo Centre Sharjah has been divided into six sections