Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces

• 10-day science festival welcomed more than 110,000 visitors from across the UAE 
• Award-winning festival featured 67 stimulating science activities, 20% more than in 2015
• 40% of this year’s fun-filled activities and workshops were provided by local companies
• High engagement from visiting families and across the festival’s social media platforms

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 04 December 2016: The region’s largest and most prestigious science festival, Abu Dhabi Science Festival (ADSF) 2016, has drawn to a conclusion for another year as more than 110,000 visitors enjoyed more than 67 mind-expanding activities and new workshops. Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and organised by the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC), the popular festival, part of the UAE Innovation Week, inspired young minds to look at the world through inquisitive eyes and helped their learning development.

The 10-day spectacular, celebrating its sixth year, was staged at the Umm Al Emarat Park in Abu Dhabi and the Al Ain Zoo in Al Ain, where visitors were spoilt for choice by a 20% increase in mind-expanding shows, more drop-in activities and new workshops ranging from aviation and astrology, to recycling, food technology and banking. This year’s locally inspired activities (40% of the workshops), developed with distinguished partners across the UAE, proved hugely popular with visitors, adding cultural relevance to the festival and supporting Abu Dhabi’s key industry needs.

His Excellency Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Director General of ADEC, thanked everyone who contributed to the success of the 2016 edition of the ADSF and highlighted the festivals ongoing role in supporting ADEC’s aim to build a new generation of world-class leaners: “With each passing year, the ADSF continues to offer our youth exposure to the wondrous world of science, with a variety of fun, exposure and scientific activities. The festival has been successful in sparking our children’s curiosity, building their interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and supporting the government’s mission to develop an innovative talent base, equipped with 21st century skills, in the crucial industries of science and technology.” 
ADEC’s Director General further added that the festival annually attracts an increased number of engaged visitors including parents whose role in supporting and encouraging their children’s education is crucial. Dr. Al Nuaimi commended efforts exerted by various government entities, private companies, academic institutions, science communicators and all those who contributed to the success of this year’s ADSF.

ADSF, which has attracted more than 700,000 visitors over the years, once again reached out to local schools with its popular School Tours Programme that was organized for 15,000 students from 130 schools to visit the festival for a more in-depth educational experience. The school visit scheme is an integral part of the festival and provided children with the opportunity to connect fun activities with science and technology learning.

The festival has also witnessed remarkably high audience engagement from visiting children and their families who attended multiple workshops and activities across the 10-days and shared their experiences across the festival’s social media platforms. 

H.E. Dr. Yousif Al Sheryani, Advisor at the Director General’s Office in ADEC, commented: “The success of ADSF is testament to the collaborative efforts of government, academia, and business leaders to inspire creativity and encourage innovation within the community, with the aim of empowering the next generation of youth, while providing them with the tools and skills necessary to turn the UAE into one of the most innovative nations in the world.”

Eng. Sanad Humaid Ahmed, Chairman of the Innovation Committee and Acting Division Manager -Knowledge Management at ADEC said: “Our education partners and sponsors have once again done a fantastic job of creating new and exciting workshops to fire the imagination of the nation’s youngsters, building an innovative generation of scientists, engineers and doctors. If they have that passion for science, along with the right aptitudes for innovation, they will be well on the way to playing a pivotal role in the global economy, while shaping and securing our country’s future.

“ADSF 2016 was another memorable event and we will continue to entertain, inform and inspire the thousands of visitors, new and old, for years to come, who rely on ADSF to help them celebrate the magic of science.”

More than 900 higher education students supported the event including ADSF alumni who were recruited locally and trained as science communicators by world-class experts to deliver workshops and shows in a lively and engaging manner. The Science Communicators were selected from 10 partner universities including Emirates College for Advanced Education, United Arab Emirates University, Zayed University, Higher Colleges of Technology (Abu Dhabi Men’s College), The Petroleum Institute University & Research Center, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi University, Al Ain University of Science and Technology (Abu Dhabi & Al Ain campuses), and Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and played an active role in motivating the children in science and technology.

Prestigious local entities who partnered with ADSF 2016 included Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi University, Emirates Foundation, Family Development Foundation, New York University Abu Dhabi, Al Sadeem Astronomy, Abu Dhabi Distribution Company, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority and Bidaya Media.

The festival was organized in partnership with Dolphin Energy as “Presenting Sponsor”, Mubadala and Emirates Transport as “Affiliate Sponsors”, Abu Dhabi Media Company as “Exclusive Media Partner”, Yas Mall as "Mall Partner", Al Ain Zoo as Location Partner-Al Ain and Umm El Emarat Park as Location Partner-Abu Dhabi.