Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) participated in the fifth Future Innovators Hackathon organised by the Emirates Schools Establishment, in cooperation with the Office of the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications. The two-day Hackathon was held at the Museum of the Future with the participation of 60 students from public schools.
During the Hackathon, DEWA worked to motivate the students to find innovative solutions based on scientific foundations, and enable them to design new scientific innovations. This included the use of voice command technology to convert voice into text, and the development of safety equipment for workers using Artificial Intelligence. During the brainstorming sessions, DEWA highlighted the Innovation and Future Shaping Framework, which DEWA developed, inspired by the words of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who said, “The future belongs to those who can imagine it, design it, and execute it”. DEWA embedded the words of His Highness into the three main phases of the framework to become ‘Imagine, Design, and Implement’. DEWA provided a brief about the three main phases of the framework and its nine enablers that anticipate and shape the future of the energy and water sectors.
“Our vision is inspired by the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to provide students and the youth with the skills and tools for entrepreneurship, considering them a national wealth and investment for the future. We prepare the next generation of entrepreneurs and sustainability leaders, equipped with the necessary skills, digital knowledge and a culture of innovation. This enhances youth participation in achieving sustainable development and enhances the competitiveness and excellence of the UAE globally as well as promotes the country’s position as a global incubator for innovation and a hub for developing advanced science-based solutions. DEWA’s plans align with the promising government strategies and plans, including the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, which aims to develop an integrated system that employs AI in vital areas of the UAE. DEWA collaborates with government and private organisations to launch and organise events, programmes and initiatives aimed at expanding students’ perceptions and knowledge, encouraging them to innovate, create and learn continuously, as well as provide a motivational environment to anticipate and shape the future,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.
Her Excellency Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology and the Chairperson of the Emirates Schools Establishment, highlighted that the Future Innovators Hackathon is an important national platform to promote the UAE’s position globally in the areas of innovation, Artificial Intelligence and other future domains. Her Excellency said that the national education system, thanks to the wise leadership, is keeping pace with the future. This is reflected in all the initiatives and projects in the educational sector that aim to improve the skills of students of different academic levels and establish a culture of innovation among them.
