The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA) launched the Research Challenge initiative on February 6, 2020 as part of its activities for UAE Innovation Month, which this year bears the theme The UAE Innovates in Preparation for the Next 50 Years.

The Innovation Month initiative and the Research Challenge goal to incentivise scientific research, promote development and innovation, assist the establishment of a knowledge-driven society, and acquire the goals of the National Agenda of the UAE Vision 2021 to build a expertise economy rooted in innovation, research, and development.

Held in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Education, the Research Challenge aims students and post-graduates from all universities in the UAE, encouraging them to publish and document their scientific research and educational research in accordance with global standards. The programme waives copyright and intellectual property registration fees for eligible research papers, and honours researchers whose research stand out from an educational and expertise standpoint.

His Excellency Eng. Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, said: We, at the Ministry of Economy, are delighted to be presenting our students with the support and services they want to register intellectual property rights for their research studies. We look ahead to seeing the project entice specialised research in economics, finance, and other topics associated to our work at the Ministry. We think about this to be a precious addition to our efforts to give a boost to the national economy and position it among the worlds most advanced economies.

We value our partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority, H.E. Al Mansouri added. We are assured this collaboration will lead to outstanding results that will gain the students, the wider community, and the UAE as a whole.

For his part, H.E. Dr Ahmad bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills, noted: Innovation is a key factor in the ambitious vision of the UAEs wise leadership, and a critical factor of the countrys strategy to embrace new and creative ideas. With this in mind, we are glad to be cooperating with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority and the Ministry of Economy to launch the Research Challenge, where we try to improve our expertise capital and recognize local talents who have made excellent efforts to enrich the UAEs scientific landscape.

Science, knowledge, and innovation are the foundational cornerstones for shaping the future and carrying out the UAEs grand aspirations and objectives, H.E. Al Falasi continued. This can't be completed without involving the talented and creative youth. To that end, we invite university students and graduates to publish their research and studies and to share their findings. This serves to create a knowledge legacy for future generations, and in addition drive development and prosperity in the UAE, cementing the countrys role as a global hub for science and knowledge.

Meanwhile, FCSA Director General H.E. Abdulla Nasser Lootah said: Investing in human capital is one of the core tenets the UAE was founded on. It is a tactic set by the Founding Fathers as a means to construct a nation that is competitive on every global index an approach still observed by our present leadership to construct a knowledge economy and make sure a better future for coming generations.

We usher in a new phase, where for the next 50 years, we pledge to power forward with our quest for progress and prosperity, and live up to the aspirations of our smart leadership and of the Emirati people to rank first among all countries of the world and throughout all sectors, H.E. Lootah explained. This, in turn, compels us to embed creativity and innovation as a core value in daily operations, and to promote scientific research to accomplish the objectives of the UAE Centennial Plan 2071.

This task displays our commitment to assisting national initiatives, and our dedication to encouraging innovation and motivating young people to channel their innovative and intellectual energies towards driving progress throughout the community and the nation, the FCSA Director General added. We are proud of this partnership that brings us collectively with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Economy. The Research Challenge is a remarkable addition to the national efforts to create a knowledge-driven society. We invite researchers to share their findings and accomplishments, give a boost to the UAEs performance on all international indexes and reports, and help form a future that is driven by science, knowledge, and innovation.

University students and recent graduates who are registered in one of the government or private universities in the UAE be they Emirati nationals or expatriates dwelling in the country are eligible to take part in the Research Challenge. Applicants are required to submit their research and studies in both Arabic and English.

To learn more about the requirements for taking part in the Challenge, please visit the official website on: https://fcsa.gov.ae/ar-ae/Pages/UAE-Innovates.aspx