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UAE to become intellectual hub

DUBAI — The Festival of Thinkers 2007 concluded here yesterday with Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, expressing the hope that the event would catapult the UAE to the status of a major intellectual centre of the world.

Speaking at the closing ceremony at Dubai Men’s College, Shaikh Nahyan said: “You (Nobel laureates and experts) brought to the festival great experience, impressive knowledge, superior intellect and a commitment to global progress. The presentations and discussions reflected your conviction that thinkers, acting alone or in concert, have the capacity and the responsibility to effect necessary progress and change.

“I am also hopeful the festival will help establish the United Arab Emirates as a major intellectual centre in the region and the world.”

A sapling was planted as part of the concluding day of the festival.

A panel discussion on the role of educators in preparing creative and responsible citizens was the highlight of the day. University heads spoke about their ideas and plans for educating the younger generation.

Renowned Dubai-based Indian painter, M. F. Husain, who was also present at the event, gifted Shaikh Nahyan one of his paintings.

Sixteen Nobel laureates, leading educationists and HCT students attended the final day of the event in Dubai, which began in Abu Dhabi on October 21.

The theme of this year’s festival was ‘Inspire, Innovate and Invent’.

Students want more

Students of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) hailed the festival and called for more such conferences in the UAE with larger international student participation.

Abdul Hannan Asghar Al Baloshi, sports committee leader and student council member of the Abu Dhabi Men’s College, told Khaleej Times: “The best thing about the festival is that it had brought together all the ideal people who transformed the world at different points of time. Their experiences were an eye-opener for students, encouraging them to explore their imagination. Students like me have gained a lot from this festival.”

Souad Mohammed Al Housani, president of the Student Representative Council of Abu Dhabi Women’s College, said the anecdotes narrated by the Nobel laureates had changed her perspective and made her more optimistic towards life.

“I realise now that failure is the stepping stone to success. More such conferences should be held in the UAE and we should have a larger representation from international student community,” she remarked.

Referring to the fiery speech of Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai on Tuesday, she said she had been inspired by her passion for the environment.

DWC student Hind Al Shaibani said Nobel laureates were ordinary people once. “Anyone can become like them, if they try hard. Their experiences have taught me how I can think out of the box.”