Latest news with #Venturist
Al Etihad
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Winners of Khalifa Fund's Venturist Summer Camp game development competition honoured
18 July 2025 17:30 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)The top winners of the eighth edition of the Venturist Summer Camp – an initiative of the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development designed to cultivate entrepreneurial thinking and digital skills among youth – were honoured during a ceremony at the 42 Abu Dhabi its launch in 2022, the Venturist Summer Camp has attracted over 750 Emirati students through its diverse training programmes, Khalifa Al Kuwaiti, Executive Director of the Entrepreneurship Sector at Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, told camp held from July 7 to 11 at 42 Abu Dhabi witnessed the participation of 50 Emirati students, showcasing their creativity in game Kuwaiti said that game development is a strategic pillar in Abu Dhabi's creative economy, aligned with the emirate's long-term innovation goals.'Khalifa Fund recognises game development as a cornerstone of Abu Dhabi's growing creative and digital economy. By integrating it into youth-focused programmes like the Venturist Summer Camp, the Fund aims to equip the next generation with critical thinking, innovation, and entrepreneurial capabilities and support Abu Dhabi's ambition to cultivate a diversified, future-ready economy rooted in knowledge and creativity,' he camp featured two training pathways for students aged 13 to 15, and aged 16 to 18 with a focus on programming, AI integration, as well as hands-on development using large language models and LUA coding. On the final day of the camp, first place was jointly awarded to Sara Abuhalqia and Mahra Alsalami (Pearl of the Damned), and Mohammed Rayn Ahmed and Hamad Alshemeili (Pick Your Poison). Second place went to Hamad AlKatheeri (Echo Rift) and Khalid Alhammadi with Abdelaziz Yousif (Sands of Unity), while third place was won by Alyazia Alshamsi, Aljoori Amer Almansoori, Aldana Eisa Alkaabi, and Meera Abdullah (Kingdom Valley). 'Khalifa Fund is proactively identifying and building a pipeline of future-ready Emiratis by introducing youth as early as 13 years old to fundamentals of creative technology, game design, coding, and entrepreneurship,' Al Kuwaiti explained. 'Through a structured bootcamp such as Venturist, we are able to not only expose them to technical skills but real-world projects, mentorships, critical thinking, and teamwork capabilities, aligned with the needs of the gaming industry.'Moving beyond training, Khalifa Fund is also committed to helping young game developers transform their ideas into viable startups.'Participants are guided through ideation and prototyping during the camp, while the Fund's broader ecosystem offers mentorship, funding, and incubation support, creating clear pathways from passion projects to viable startups,' Al Kuwaiti noted that they are exploring the expansion of the programme to include dedicated tracks focused on high-growth gaming subsectors such as AR/VR, esports, and educational game to Al Kuwaiti, the camp's flexible structure enables it to adapt quickly to the demands of evolving global terms of broader alignment, Al Kuwaiti said that the Fund is closely coordinating with Abu Dhabi's digital economy and innovation agendas. 'By collaborating with strategic partners in the industry, we leverage shared strengths, combining funding, infrastructure, training, and mentorship to build a pipeline of homegrown talent. This contributes to Abu Dhabi's vision of becoming a regional innovation hub.'On how Khalifa Fund plans to measure long-term success, Al Kuwaiti emphasised a comprehensive and impact-driven approach to measuring the long-term success of its initiatives in the gaming sector. 'This includes both quantitative and qualitative indicators that reflect the depth and sustainability of the ecosystem being built,' he success metrics include developing talent that meets industry needs and strengthening partnerships to support knowledge transfer, global exposure, and commercialisation. 'Through these outcomes, Khalifa Fund aims to position Abu Dhabi not only as a hub for nurturing creative talent, but also as a leader in developing a homegrown gaming industry that contributes to the UAE's economic vision and global creative footprint.'
Zawya
12-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Khalifa Fund opens registration for 8th edition of ‘Venturist' Summer Camp focused on game development
Abu Dhabi – The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED) has opened registration for the 8th edition of its 'Venturist' Summer Camp, targeting Emirati students aged 13 to 18. The week-long summer camp will be held from July 7 to 11, 2025, at the Abu Dhabi 42 headquarters in Zayed Port, Abu Dhabi. This first of its kind camp is designed to empower the youth and enhance their skills in technology and game development fields. Its training programme is divided into two distinct pathways based on age. The first one, for those between the ages 13 to 15, aims to build a strong foundation in programming and game development. The second, tailored for those aged 16-18, offers the opportunity to explore advanced concepts in game development and design. The programme serves as a dynamic platform to explore game development in an educational environment, blending learning and recreation. It also encourages collective work and enhances team spirit, while cultivating entrepreneurial and creative thinking. Participants are encouraged to develop innovative ideas and practical solutions that align with current market trends and demands. Moreover, the camp is organised under the supervision of specialised trainers in game development, aiming to enhance students' skills in programming and project development aspects. Mouza Al Nasri, Acting CEO of the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, said, 'The camp is much more than just an educational programme, rather it aims to foster a dynamic environment that contributes to enhancing creativity, developing technical skills, teamwork and entrepreneurial thinking, while enabling participants to gain game development experience. Such an approach empowers Emirati youth to hone their skills and develop innovative ideas. This further aligns with our vision to promote innovation in Abu Dhabi, recognising its vital role in strengthening the small and medium-sized enterprise ecosystem, especially within the realm of game development. The camp will also prepare students for freelance and future career opportunities in the gaming sector.' Since its launch in 2022, the summer camp has attracted the participation of 750 Emirati students across its intensive training programmes. Participants were even awarded a prestigious training certificate from Stanford University, reflecting the superior quality of the training. The Khalifa Fund invites ambitious young minds to leverage this valuable opportunity and become a part of an inspiring educational journey. Registrations are open for Emirati students aged 13 to 18, and residing in Abu Dhabi, until June 30, 2025. To register and learn more about the application criteria, please visit the website: About Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development: The Khalifa Fund is an independent, non-profit organisation affiliated with Abu Dhabi Government. Its mission is to nurture the culture of entrepreneurship, promote innovation, and offer support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the UAE through a balanced ecosystem. Founded in 2007 in accordance with Law No. 14 of 2005 and its amendments, the Fund was established to align with the vision of the late His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, former President of the United Arab Emirates. To learn more about the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, please visit: For further information, please contact: Orient Planet Group (OPG) Email: media@ Website:
