Abu Dhabi Science Festival is changing up its formula by celebrating art alongside innovation for its ninth annual edition this year.
A designated space to perform will be given to young artists and musicians at schools in the capital, alongside those making a difference in fields of electronics, mechanics and aerospace.
The popular festival - which will run from January 31 until February 9 - will also host activities in Al Dhafra for the first time, as well as return to Al Ain and the Corniche in Abu Dhabi.
The event focuses on Steam subjects (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics), with more than 120,000 people expected to attend.
Around 200 innovators will display projects at the three host venues over 10 days.
Sanad Ahmed, deputy chairman of the Innovation Committee at The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge, said the aim was to "go bigger" than ever for the 2019 installment.
"We thought let's go bigger. We added the art aspect to the festival because the exposure is great and we have so many talented pupils who can showcase their pieces in terms of drawings, music, and playing instruments.
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"At the festival, we have seen very talented pupils coming forward and playing instruments and creating beautiful music."
"Let's explore more of the arts and get children involved in the arts. Let them develop their skills," said Mr Ahmed.
The festival will conduct 70 workshops - the largest number since the event was launched in 2011.
While based in the capital, the science gathering was previously hosted in Sharjah and organisers are keen to expand to other places in the coming years.
"The direction is to make the festival bigger. As of now, there are no plans to make it a travelling festival, but it can be," said Mr Ahmed.
Five famous companies founded by teens
There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:
- Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate.
- Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc.
- Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway.
- Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
- Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
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Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
