EGA and Ministry of Education announce winners of this year's EGA Aluminium Design and Innovation Challenge
The winning teams were recognised by His Excellency Omar Al Dhaheri, Assistant Undersecretary for the School Operations Sector (Abu Dhabi) at the Ministry of Education, and Khalid Essa Buhumaid, Senior Vice President, Government Relations at Emirates Global Aluminium, at a ceremony held at EGA's site in Al Taweelah in Abu Dhabi.
The EGA Aluminium Design and Innovation Challenge is part of EGA's Engineer the Future programme, which seeks to encourage school children to study and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. So far this academic year, EGA's Engineer the Future has engaged over 6,950 school students, including more than 4,000 female students.
EGA is a major employer of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics professionals, with over 1,500 people working in these fields at the company, including more than 500 UAE nationals.
The design challenge engages students from grades nine to 12 to creatively use science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills to address real-life challenges with aluminium. Over the course of four weeks, students were mentored by EGA engineers and provided with the necessary resources and tools to complete their projects.
Over 300 teams from schools across the UAE participated in the EGA Aluminium Design and Innovation Challenge this year, compared to 163 in 2024. The 63 shortlisted teams were invited to creatively design an innovative project using aluminium in one of the challenge categories – architecture, product design, sustainable mobility, and space solutions.
This year's first-place winning teams in each category are Fatima Al Zahraa School in the category of architecture, Nahel School in the category of product design, Dubai National School – Barsha in the category of space solutions, and Jameela Buheired School in the category of sustainable mobility.
His Excellency Omar Al Dhaheri,Assistant Undersecretary for School Operations Sector (Abu Dhabi) at the Ministry of Education, extended his congratulations to the competition winners. He praised the leading-edge partnership with EGA and its vital role in developing students' practical skills to achieve the UAE's aspirations across vital sectors that require building national cadres with a high level of capability, excellence, and innovation.
His Excellency added: 'Through its various programmes and collaborations with organisations in the public and private sectors, the Ministry of Education proactively works to create opportunities for students to showcase their innovation capabilities and put their acquired knowledge and skills into practice through tangible, real-world projects that offer significant value to society.'
Khalid Essa Buhumaid, Senior Vice President of Government Relations at Emirates Global Aluminium, said: 'Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are all essential for the UAE's achievement of Operation 300bn, the national industrial growth strategy. EGA aims to grow the future national industrial workforce of the UAE through many student outreach programmes, including Engineer the Future. I was pleased to see top-quality aluminium applications by bright young minds that will one day lead the future of UAE industry.'
Earlier this year, EGA launched a new student engagement and mentorship programme for female UAE students. Ershaad aims to encourage and prepare young women to pursue careers in industry with a focus on enhancing critical skills for professional development through dedicated mentoring by EGA experts.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily News Egypt
8 hours ago
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt's PM meets Tokyo governor, witnesses signing of education agreements
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Wednesday witnessed the signing of two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between Egypt's Ministry of Education and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to enhance cooperation in technical education, special needs education, and teacher training. The signing took place on the sidelines of the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama, which Madbouly is attending on behalf of President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. The ceremony was attended by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, who met with the prime minister earlier in the day. The first MoU, signed by Egyptian Minister of Education Mohamed Abdel Latif and Masahiko Sakamoto, director-general of the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education, covers teacher training and qualification programmes, support for people with special needs through an international centre in Egypt's 10th of Ramadan City, and the exchange of expertise in general education. The second agreement, signed by Abdel Latif and an official from Tokyo's Advanced Institute of Vocational Training, aims to expand applied technology schools in Egypt, particularly in agriculture, and to benefit from the latest teaching methods in technical education. Following the signing, Minister Abdel Latif said the MoUs are part of the strong partnership between Egypt and Japan in developing education, noting that the Japanese experience in Egyptian-Japanese schools represents a distinguished model of discipline and quality. Earlier, Madbouly met with Tokyo Governor Koike to discuss bilateral cooperation. The prime minister expressed Egypt's desire to benefit from Japan's expertise in education and increase the number of Japanese schools in Egypt, praising their high level of efficiency. He also commended the cooperation in higher education through the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology and invited Japanese students to study in Egypt to enhance student exchange programmes. Madbouly also discussed potential cooperation in developing Egypt's transport sector and invited the governor to the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, which was built with Japanese cooperation. For her part, Governor Koike praised the remarkable development in Egyptian-Japanese relations and expressed her desire to support ties in various fields, especially education and entrepreneurship. She noted Egypt's strategic location as a gateway to the Arab region and the African continent, which enhances opportunities for joint cooperation.
Daily News Egypt
a day ago
- Daily News Egypt
Cairo, Tokyo sign LOI to expand educational cooperation, support for persons with disabilities
Egypt's Minister of Education and Technical Education, Mohamed Abdel Latif, has signed a Letter of Intent with Abe Toshiko, Japan's Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), to broaden cooperation mechanisms in education, enhance support for persons with disabilities, and establish new partnerships in technical education and vocational training. The signing ceremony took place at the headquarters of Japan's Ministry of Education on the sidelines of Abdel Latif's participation in the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), held in Yokohama from 20 to 22 August. Abdel Latif affirmed the Ministry's commitment to building on the achievements of existing cooperation, particularly the Egyptian–Japanese Schools project, which he said will be highlighted during TICAD9 as a successful model that could be replicated across African countries. He expressed satisfaction at expanding the scope of collaboration to include greater support for students with disabilities and stronger partnerships in technical and vocational training, with a focus on transferring Japanese expertise in key areas such as agriculture. During the meeting, Abdel Latif also extended an official invitation to his Japanese counterpart to attend the inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum. For her part, Abe Toshiko welcomed the signing of the Letter of Intent, describing it as the outcome of continuous cooperation and joint efforts since Abdel Latif's visit to Japan last February. She reaffirmed her Ministry's full support for agreements signed between Egypt's Ministry of Education and Japanese partners such as Yamaha, Casio, and Sprix, noting that Tokyo remains keen to launch new initiatives, particularly in technical education and in supporting students with special needs. The Japanese minister further praised the Egyptian–Japanese Schools initiative, stressing her country's pride in this pioneering project. She revealed that the initiative will be featured as a showcase model at the 'EDUPORT' pavilion of Japan's Ministry of Education during TICAD9, highlighting it as an inspirational example of international cooperation in education.
CairoScene
5 days ago
- CairoScene
Saudi Arabia Launches AI Curricula and Global University Partnerships
Saudi Arabia's education reforms bring AI-focused curricula, new teacher training, and global university partnerships, aiming to prepare students for a tech-driven future. Saudi Arabia is accelerating its education reform agenda with a nationwide rollout of artificial intelligence (AI) curricula, expanded programs for gifted students, and a series of new partnerships with leading global universities. The Ministry of Education's latest initiatives are designed to equip students with advanced digital skills and foster a culture of innovation across the Kingdom's schools and universities. The introduction of AI-focused curricula marks a significant shift in classroom learning, with students now engaging in lessons that cover machine learning, data analysis, and ethical considerations in technology. The Ministry has also launched comprehensive training programs for teachers, ensuring that educators are prepared to deliver these new subjects and support students in developing critical digital competencies. In parallel, Saudi Arabia is expanding its programs for gifted and talented students, offering specialized tracks and resources to nurture high-achieving learners. These efforts are supported by collaborations with international institutions, including partnerships with universities in the United States, United Kingdom, and Asia. The goal is to provide Saudi students with access to world-class research, exchange opportunities, and joint degree programs. The new initiatives also include updates to assessment methods, with a greater emphasis on project-based learning and real-world problem solving. Schools are being equipped with advanced digital infrastructure, and students are encouraged to participate in international competitions and research projects.
