MEDIA RELEASE PR36903
Third Festival of Thinkers Convenes in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
ABU DHABI, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
The third Festival of Thinkers (FoT) convened today. The
opening address was given by H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister
for Higher Education and Scientific Research in the UAE and Chancellor of the
Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) to an audience of over 2,000.
"The Festival of Thinkers is based upon the premise that the
bringing together of promising students with some of the world's recognized
leaders in innovation and creativity will enrich both groups and lead to an
even brighter future for our global society" stated Sheikh Nahayan in his
opening address.
Nobel laureate Dr. Shirin Ebadi gave the keynote address. Dr
Ebadi, an Iranian lawyer and Iran's first female Judge, was awarded the Nobel
Peace Prize for her pioneering efforts in human rights for women and
children. She is the first Muslim woman and the first Iranian to receive the
Nobel prize.
Eleven Nobel Laureates, nearly 200 world thinkers from 40
countries and 400 students from the region are attending the Festival. Nobel
Laureates attending include Prof. John Nash, Dr. Robin Warren, and Prof.
Richard Ernst. Also attending are HM Carl XVI Gustaf King of Sweden, Cherie
Blair, Mike Moore -Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
-
US Basketball Star, Lady Barbara Judge - Chairman of UK Atomic Energy
Authority and Dr. Fidel Castro Diaz-Balart of Cuba.
Liz Mohn of Bertelsmann and philosopher Swami Parthasarathy
gave special addresses. Gavin Esler, BBC served as emcee. The opening
ceremony included a panel discussion with Nobel Laureates and world thinkers
on Future Capital: Moving Beyond the Economic Crisis.
Organized by HCT, the largest higher education institution in
the UAE, FoT is a unique forum for young scholars from the Middle East and
global leaders to think together using constructive and lateral thinking
while designing possible solutions for the world's challenges. The format is
interactive - thinkers and laureates participate in round-table discussions
with young scholars. Themes to be discussed include sustainable development,
the effect of globalization on culture and language and resolving
non-traditional threats among others. "HCT seeks to establish a global
imprint. We want to welcome the world to our shores. This Festival is a part
of that process of sharing and welcoming", added Dr. Tayeb Kamali, Vice
Dean Hoke
Dean.hoke@hct.ac.ae
Mobile: +971-50-662-7637
SOURCE: Higher Colleges of Technologies
Translations:
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