Applications for ATIC’s Tech Quest Program Reaches Record High

Organisers create waiting list to meet demand of young Emirati students wishing to join the STEM inspired education program

Abu Dhabi, December 17, 2013: More than 160 Emirati students have officially expressed their interest in joining the latest session of Tech Quest, a student outreach program organised by the Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC), taking place throughout the Emirates from December 15th – 26th. ATIC has received a record number of applications from students in grades 9-12 with a waiting list being created in response to the oversubscription. The latest Tech Quest program, which enters its thirteenth session, takes place in Abu Dhabi (Masdar Institute), in Al Ain (UAE University) and in the Western Region (in both the Madinat Zayed and Ruwais HCT Campuses).

“Since its inception in 2010, the Tech Quest program has always enjoyed strong interest from the nation’s youth and educational institutions. However, the interest surrounding this session has exceeded our expectations and is in short, quite remarkable,” said Hanan Harhara, Head of Human Capital, ATIC.

“Evidently momentum is building and the ultimate goal of generating awareness of STEM and the value of studying related subjects is gaining traction on the ground with UAE schools, parents and students. As organisers we are now in the difficult position of having limited spaces to meet increased demand and unfortunately some students will miss out. The fact that we have been forced to create a waiting list is promising and stands as testament to the success of Tech Quest program that has become synonymous with a first class educational experience,” she added.

To date the ATIC Tech Quest program has engaged more than 650 UAE National students in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through exciting hands-on workshops and engaging industry speakers.

This thirteenth session will see Masdar Institute; UAE University; The Higher Colleges of Technology; Western Region Development Council; Children’s National Health System and GLOBALFOUNDRIES participate as partners. The latest session will also see the introduction of new teaching modules that place a focus on the technology behind the semiconductor and healthcare industries.

Commenting on the involvement of the Masdar Institute, Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said:
“Tech Quest is a youth engagement initiative that continues to generate interest in STEM subjects, moulding young creative minds to explore and innovate.

This initiative concurs with Masdar Institute’s research-intensive academic and outreach programs that are supported by the country’s leadership for the benefit of the youth. As a front-runner in capacity building and clean energy research, Masdar Institute is privileged to partner with ATIC and nurture talented students towards innovation.”

Dr Ken Volk, Outreach Manager, Masdar Institute, added:
“The research-based institution is the ideal venue for high school students to explore areas for discovery in science and engineering subjects through the Tech Quest program. With the cutting edge laboratory facilities, Masdar Institute also offers the right learning environment and we hope most of the students would return to our sustainable campus as researchers and contribute to innovations in future energy.”

After each Tech Quest program, a group of the top performing students are officially recognized and invited to participate in an additional, unconventional and unique educational experience. The Tech Quest Leadership Program aims to mentally and physically urge students to step out of their personal comfort zones and hopes to provide them with the confidence, strength and key skills required to become future leaders. The 2014 leadership program will take place in Ras Al Khaimah in January 2014.

For more information about the Leadership Program or next Tech Quest program, please contact ATIC at +971 2 413 3431 or visit the website at www.techquest.ae.

For updates about the workshop and photos from the event, please visit www.techquest.ae, www.facebook.com/uaetechquest, www.twitter.com/uaetechquestand www.instagram.com/uaetechquest.