Abu Dhabi // The Abu Dhabi Science Festival 2013 attracted record-breaking visitor numbers this year.
More than 150,000 people were welcomed through the gates from November 14 to November 23 – an increase of 26 per cent on last year.
“The Abu Dhabi Science Festival 2013 has witnessed steady growth. The increase in local and regional content has underlined the festival’s commitment to inspire the UAE youth to pursue careers in science, technology and innovation, which we strongly believe is key to realising the Abu Dhabi Government’s vision of building a knowledge-based economy.
“The success of this year’s event is a true testament to the collaborative efforts of the government, academia and industry leaders, all of whom are working towards the single goal of developing the required talent that would ensure our future prosperity,” said Ahmed Saeed Al Calily, director general of Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee (TDC), which organised the event.
The third holding of the festival was made possible by the participation of about 900 university students, including ADSF alumni, who were recruited from 11 local universities as science communicators. They were provided with world-class training to deliver science programmes to excite the next generation of scientists.
The festival is one of TDC’s strategic initiatives dedicated to the education, engagement and inspiration of the nation’s youth, encouraging them to pursue education and careers in science, technology and innovation.
The event was held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
newsdesk@thenational.ae