Event Offers Researchers and Students An Entrepreneurship Forum to Interact with Professionals and Better Understand Insights into Establishing Deep-Tech Startups
Khalifa Innovation Center (KIC – www.khalifainnovation.ae), a strategic partnership between Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, Tawazun Economic Council, Mubadala Investment Company, and Sandooq Al Watan, hosted an ‘Innovation Open House’ to enable students and researchers interact with innovation and intellectual property professionals to have first-hand insight on how to protect inventions, prosecute intellectual property, deploy technologies and establish deep-tech startups.
The Innovation Open House titled ‘Make an Impact for a Better Life’ was organized by the Khalifa University Office of Technology Management and Innovation and the Khalifa Innovation Center at the Khalifa University Main Campus. It included panel discussions, inspirational talks, and parallel innovation clinics, as well as networking events. An impressive array of some of the most advanced technology patents from Khalifa University showcased some of the deep-tech startups in the KIC’s startup portfolios.
Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Chairman, KIC, and Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University, said: “The Innovation Open House provided a unique opportunity for university students and faculty members to have an overview on resources available to enable them commercialize inventions through formation of startups. They not only gained insight on how to translate their inventions into patents but also further understood and learned about programs available in KIC that would help with their journeys as entrepreneurs moving these inventions into successful startups.”
Dr. Al Hammadi added: “This open house is also in line with our commitment to Abu Dhabi’s business and technology startup initiatives and incubators such as Hub 71, a flagship initiative of Ghadan 21, Abu Dhabi’s accelerator program for business in the capital. Our objective is not only to drive innovation but also to encourage commercialization of our research outcome that can contribute to the fast-expanding knowledge-based economy of Abu Dhabi and the UAE.”
Dr. Yehya Mohamed Al Marzouqi, Advisor to Tawazun CEO, said “The Innovation Open House is an ideal forum whereby the Tawazun Economic Council and our partners can demonstrate our commitment to building Emirati capabilities in multi-disciplinary R&D areas. Through the panel discussions we can also ensure participants have valuable insights on the best ways to incorporate applied research with practical application and then on to the next stage of actual development of industrial prototypes. Tawazun fully supports the creation of favorable conditions for the development of innovative, local solutions and the ability to take them to market.”
Hind Baker, Director-General, Sandooq Al Watan, said: “Sandooq Al Watan was established with a clear mandate outlined by our wise leadership, to promote and support innovation and innovators, and provide talented UAE citizens with promising opportunities to thrive and accomplish great success.”
“The ‘Innovation Open House’ organized by our partners at the Khalifa Innovation Center perfectly embodies this mission.” Baker continued. “It offers talented students and researchers a platform to interact with accomplished innovators and leading experts. This not only develops their innovation skills but also helps them draw on experiences and success stories for charting their own path to excellence.”
“Our leadership has ambitious objectives for diversifying the UAE’s economy and rendering it more resilient in the post-oil era. Talented creative thinkers and bold, innovative ideas are essential for accomplishing our goals,” Baker asserted.
Dr. Sami Bashir, Director, Technology Management and Innovation, Khalifa University, said: “This Innovation Open House event was intended to address some of the questions inventors and entrepreneurs have and to provide some clarity on their paths to innovation from research discovery to a market product. Such platforms and events are critical to have insightful dialogue with inventors, entrepreneurs and partners or investors to materialize impact of our patents and startups.”
The event included panel discussions led by experts who shared first-hand information on the importance of intellectual property (IP), ways to establish a startup from scientific research, tips on navigating the innovation ecosystem in Abu Dhabi, and suggestions for attracting investors or customers. Inspirational talks were delivered by thought-leaders, inventors, and entrepreneurs who shared their experience on creating value and an impact out of scientific research.
The open house included two parallel Innovation Clinics – ‘Intellectual Properties and Research Commercialization’, and ‘Establishing Deep-Tech Startups’. The clinics were intended to answer specific questions on handling IP while performing or commercializing scientific research, and translating ideas, patents and research results into successful startups. Participants interacted with peers, IP experts, startup mentors, inventors, researchers, and entrepreneurs.
Clarence Michael
English Editor Specialist
5 October 2021
