Under the patronage and presence of H.E. Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chief of Police and Public Security in Dubai and Chairman of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University’s (HBMSU) Board of Governors (BOG), and Chairman of the Emirates Talent Association, the Emirates Talent Association and HBMSU held today (Saturday July 6, 2019) the third graduation ceremony for the ‘2019 Emirati Programmer’ participants as well as awarded the winners of the ‘Hackathon Competition’.
The ceremony was uniquely held as the professional certificates were delivered using blockchain, a first of its kind initiative in the region. The step complements the pioneering efforts led by HBMSU in supporting the ‘Emirates Blockchain Strategy 2021’, an initiative aimed at enhancing the country’s ambition to become a leading global hub of the future industry. The ceremony, under the sponsorship of Union Coop and hosted by the University in its campus for the third consecutive year, was attended by leading figures and decision makers led by H.E. Majid Hamad Rahma Al Shamsi, Union Coop Chairman of Board of Directors and Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMSU and Deputy Chairman of the Emirates Talent Association.
The Emirati Programmer is a leading national initiative which qualifies young national talents in programming languages, computing systems and the basics of developing digital applications and electronic games and has the potential to contribute to innovation and excellence on par with the latest advances in the 21st century. Over three consecutive years, the program has been a major success in developing UAE talents and building a generation knowledgeable in modern technology and innovation, which will drive growth in a knowledge-based economy in line with the “UAE Vision 2021”.
His Excellency Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim commended the success of the ‘Emirati Programmer’ which has demonstrated its essential role in building a new generation of national talent equipped with knowledge, technology and professionalism. He added that the program continues to reflect the country’s vision of becoming one of the world’s most advanced nations.
H.E. further emphasized that the professional certification awarded to the graduates through blockchain affirms the University’s continuing efforts to adopt advanced technologies and support the strategic ambition of the country to strengthen its position as a leading global hub, in line with the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
H.E. added: “We are proud to present the third batch of graduates who have proven their competence and excellence in the world of programming, and who will lead and guide the country to the future. The success of the third batch of ‘Emirati Programmer’ serves as a great boost for us to continue investing in highly promising talents through our fruitful partnership with the Emirates Talent Association and Union Coop. This collaboration supports honing creative national talents’ programming skills and adds value to knowledge and innovation. This is in line with the UAE’s vision to become a leading nation in all fields.”
Dr. Mansoor Al Awar noted: "Under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and the President of the University, the graduation of the third batch of the “Emirati Programmer” students is a strong testament to our continuing commitment to create initiatives and programs that develop the potential of young people in keeping up with the vision of our wise leadership to build a better future. We are proud to become a model in the Arab world for using blockchain technology to deliver professional certificates to our graduates, a new achievement that further boosts our excellent track record. This unique method is another major step that puts us in the forefront of leading universities in implementing advanced technology, in line with the government’s strategic priority under the Emirates Blockchain Strategy 2021 and strengthen the UAE’s leadership in technology and digital transformation.”
Al Awar added: “For the third year in a row, the Emirati Programmer continues to provide our talented sons and daughters with the modern knowledge and skills needed to take the lead in advanced technologies and use it to serve the nation’s development process. The Hackathon Competition continues to unveil the innovativeness and creativity of our young generation using the tools of the age, which also qualify them to become drivers in making the UAE one of the 10 most innovative countries in the world. We highly value our strong partnership with the Emirates Talent Association, which has been key to achieving our shared aspirations of effectively cultivating the potential of our human capital in line with the vision of the UAE 2021.”
Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University is leading the way to excellence supported by its innovative approach of delivering professional certificates using blockchain, enabling students to share their certificates in or out of the UAE with ease, either through social networking platforms or e-mail. The certificates are shared using the QR Code, a revolutionary technology that enables companies, professional institutes and higher education institutions to access the details of the university certificate and verify it promptly, quickly and efficiently through scanning without having the need to go to the university.
The third edition of the program has attracted huge participation from all emirates and has graduated 159 students in three levels where 100 students completed the ‘Games and Applications’ Programming and 45 students from ‘Artificial Intelligence’ program and 14 students in ‘Cybersecurity and the Internet of Things’ program.
The conclusion of the ‘Hackathon Competition’ and awarding of winners was also held during the ceremony. The competition is important in advancing talented individuals to qualify for the global competition in programming and AI and make valuable contributions in elevating the UAE’s international ranking in these fields. The winners were selected by an international jury panel of leading technology experts based on key criteria, including the ability to link creative programming projects to the UAE’s national directions and initiatives towards developing a competitive knowledge and innovation-based economy.
The event showcased the awarding of winners for the Hackathon Competition, which include Abdullah Saif Salem Al Muqbali (7-10 age group) and Saeed Ali Al Qaisi Al Falasi (11-15 age group) for the Games Development – Kudo category; Alia Hareb Lehddad (7-10 age group) for the Artificial Intelligence – Cosmo category; Muharib Hareb Haddad (11-15 age group) for the Artificial Intelligence – Max category; Rashid Ayoub Al-Awadhi and Fahd Zayed Al-Sabouni (7-10 age group) for the Information Security and Internet of things (IoT) – Swift category and Abdullah Mohammed Al-Jawi (11-15 age group) for the Information Security and Internet of things (IoT) – Python category.
The students presented their applications, projects and stages of development before the attendees during the ‘Emirati Programmer Expo’ held immediately after the graduation ceremony.
