Abu Dhabi science exhibition to begin on Sunday

ABU DHABI // Hundreds of science enthusiasts from throughout the world will throng the capital for the next three days.

Expo-Sciences International 2013 promises to bring together young people, teachers and science experts from Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America and Africa to share their knowledge and experience.

The three-day event at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition and Conference Centre will showcase some of the most innovative ideas from the science world with more than 1,200 participants expected from over 60 countries.

“This is the first time the event has been held in the UAE, and will be a chance for local students to showcase their science projects,” said Silvia Garnero of Emirates Skills, a branch of the Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, one of the exhibition organisers.

“We started the campaign last year to collect all the local projects to be showcased at the event. This is very much focused on the younger generation and to motivate students to discover new ideas and engage. We have 13 scientific categories. We have international speakers and local speakers, and different organisations.

“This is the first time the conference is open to the public, in the past it was only open to participants.”

The organisers promise something for everyone. “Visitors will be able to see some amazing projects from students as young as 10 years old and you will be amazed by what is on offer. This will hopefully motivate the other students to get engaged in these types of activities,” Ms Garnero said.

“We will have representatives from business and industry to invest in these projects and help to develop them. Participants will also have a nice programme of leisure activities — a full schedule.”

There will be special workshops on nanotechnology, research and development, science and innovation, sustainable development, renewable energy and peaceful nuclear energy.

The last day of the event on September 17 is for ladies only.

Organisers hope the event will also be the perfect platform for scientific institutions to forge new partnerships and exchange ideas.

A full rundown of the events and the schedule can be found here.

ksinclair@thenational.ae