(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM))
SHARJAH, 20th February, 2018 (WAM) -- Ohoud bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Happiness and Wellbeing and Director-General of the Prime Minister's Office, has visited the 'UAE Hackathon - Data for Happiness' in Sharjah.
Al Roumi also visited Sharjah Centre for Astronomy and Space Sciences, the hosting entity of one of the UAE Hackathon stations in its third stage, which is held in Sharjah, Ajman, and Umm Al Qaiwain as part of UAE Innovation Month, with the participation of almost 400 contestants representing universities, government employees, and others, competing to identify different solutions for various challenges in areas of education, health, transportation, social relations, lifestyle and others.
She was accompanied by Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Director-General of Department of eGovernment Sharjah, and Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, Deputy Director-General for Telecommunications Sector at the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, TRA, the organiser of the event, which is supported by National Programme of Happiness and Positivity.
The Minister emphasised that the Hackathon reflects the UAE government's efforts to encourage all segments of society, including employees, students and innovators, as well as to empower national talents to utilise technologies in developing innovative solutions to challenges in vital sectors, which raise the levels of happiness and quality of life in society, and support the UAE's directives in this field.
She expressed her happiness with the innovative ideas presented by the participants, and reviewed the open data sets provided by government and private entities. She also spoke to a number of participants and listened to explanation of smart solutions they are developing to address challenges included within the Hackathon.
Sheikh Khalid Al Qasimi said, "Our participation in the UAE Hackathon is part of our efforts to promote creativity and innovation within the government and academic fields. It also reflects our continuous efforts to encourage the youth to present innovative ideas and initiatives to achieve society's happiness, in line with the vision of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah."
"The UAE Hackathon is in line with the UAE's strategy to adopt the concepts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, in which smart and interactive services are provided around the clock to achieve customer happiness. It is therefore necessary to involve Sharjah's residents in reaching unconventional solutions that contribute to enhancing the digital renaissance of the emirate," he added.
[Image credit:Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, TRA, Twitter:@TheUAETRA]
WAM/Rola Alghoul/Nour Salman
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