The James Dyson Awards, an international platform to launch the next generation of inventors, returns to the UAE in 2021 to continue to foster the spirit of innovation amongst undergraduates and recent graduates of engineering and design. In its fourth edition, students will present their innovations to an expert panel of nationally celebrated innovators including Emirati inventor of the bio-artificial liver, Dr. Ali Hilal Alnaqbi.
Dr. Ali joins the expert judging panel including Emirati engineer and driverless car designer, Reem Al Marzouqi; aircraft engineer and aviation advisor, Dr. Eng. Suaad Al Shamsi; and Professor Tadhg O’Donovan, Head of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Dubai. The judging panel will draw upon their own expertise to not only select the winning problem-solving solution but also work closely with the new generation of design engineers to inspire their approach towards addressing real-world problems.
Speaking about the competition, Dr. Eng. Suaad Al Shamsi said, “The James Dyson awards is a great opportunity for talented and entrepreneurial youth in the UAE to showcase their inventiveness in tackling real-world problems. The calibre of entries we received in the 2020 edition was remarkable and is a great testament to the nation’s vision of being a hub for innovation.”
The James Dyson Awards is an international competition that calls upon young innovators and engineers to design inventions in line with Dyson’s vision of solving problems that others ignore. Previous winners of the James Dyson Awards have invented solutions to address global problems ranging from generating green energy, to eliminating plastic waste, to improving water supplies, and providing affordable healthcare in developing countries.
Prior to submission, university students from across the country will be given the opportunity to attend a workshop with a Dyson engineer to take them through the design process adopted at Dyson to further guide their critical thinking, prototypes, and award submissions.
Last year, saw a record-breaking number of entries to the Award and witnessed the introduction of a new, additional prize that recognises efforts in sustainability. In 2021, there continues to be two monetary global prizes for the International Sustainability winner and the Overall International winner. But first, each participating country and region will award a national winner and two national runners-up. Those that win a national accolade proceed to the international awarding stages.
The UAE is the first Middle East country to host the awards. Entries are judged on criteria which includes both technical and commercial feasibility, to encourage entrants to develop ideas that could help them build their own companies in future.
The James Dyson Awards were launched globally in 2005, to find unique solutions to problems using design thinking and engineering, and now take place in 28 countries worldwide, with regional winners going on to compete in a global final.
Entry is open to students and recent graduates in product design, industrial design, and engineering, until 30th June 2021.
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