Abu Dhabi: Department of Community Development’s social innovation competition UNIVATE (Universities Innovate) is being held in collaboration with the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an.
UNIVATE aims to spread awareness about social challenges in Abu Dhabi, improve the well-being and quality of life of the people who live in the Emirate, and promote the building of a multi-cultural, cohesive community that embraces diversity.
The UNIVATE competition will be held annually and each year it will focus on tackling a different social challenge.
UNIVATE received 47 submissions (from over 90 students) from Abu Dhabi’s leading higher education institutions, as Zayed University, Higher Colleges of Technology, Khalifa University, NYU Abu Dhabi, and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.
University students in Abu Dhabi will present their most compelling solutions to the Emirate’s societal challenges in front of experts from the Department of Community Development as part of the UNIVATE competition’s Pitch Day, where the top 10 semi-finalist teams and individuals give their presentations in front of the judging panel.
Three of the best proposals out of the 10 that will be presented at the Pitch Day will be chosen by the elite committee of -of varying backgrounds -brought together by the DCD. The judges will evaluate submissions based on a variety of criteria, such as how relevant the idea or solution is, its innovativeness, and whether it will be sustainable in the long run.
“The UNIVATE contest has inspired brilliant ideas from some of the most talented youths studying at Abu Dhabi’s higher education institutions. In honor of UAE’s Innovation month, we are thrilled to be on the path toward adopting and implementing these innovations for the betterment of society,” said Her Excellency Shaikha Alhosani, Executive Director of the Social Monitoring & Innovation Sector at DCD.
“This competition has been a creative way to generate solutions that are in line with the DCD’s overarching goals of community cohesion and social connection, and in support of the department’s commitment to supporting a dignified life for all those who live in Abu Dhabi.”
The individuals or teams behind the top three ideas will be honored at an award ceremony with in-kind monetary rewards. The winners’ solutions will be implemented by the DCD or its partners -in collaboration with relevant stakeholders -.