Brainchild of His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan
A record number of Nobel laureates, and distinguished thought leaders and decision makers from all around the world are expected to participate in the Festival of Thinkers in October, the biennial event organized by the Higher Colleges of Technology in the United Arab Emirates.
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Festival 2007 will foster discussion of ways and means of fostering creativity at the scientific as well as social level.
Festival 2007 will be held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. As with the first Festival, held in Abu Dhabi in March 2005, the U.A.E.’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, will chair the event. The Festival’s organizer is the vice chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, Dr. Tayeb A. Kamali.
Dr. Kamali said that nearly 25 Nobel laureates have indicated their acceptance.
In addition to the world’s leading minds and intellects versed in the fields of natural science and research, medicine and public health, philosophy, law and ethics, theoretical and practical economy, and information technology, Emirati students will play a major role in this event.
The format will include theme introductions followed by panel discussions and round-tables.
“Such an undertaking is timely and will greatly benefit the young in search of their future,” Sheikh Nahayan said. “It will also benefit leaders in their quest for the best of those entrusted to them, and it will benefit researchers in following their goal. In fact, we feel that the festival will help foster the ability to adapt to challenges.”
Festival 2007 will coincide with the launch of the Nobel Foundation’s Centennial Exhibition, “Cultures of Creativity.”
The exhibition has been created in duplicate. One copy is on display in Stockholm, Sweden, and a second copy is being exhibited in 14 cities around the world.
The grand finale will be hosted by the Higher Colleges of Technology at the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi from October to December 2007. Abu Dhabi would be the only location in the Middle East to host the Nobel Museum.