Festival of Thinkers 2007

Record participation achieved

A record number of Nobel laureates, and distinguished thought leaders and decision makers from all around the world participated in the Festival of Thinkers in October, the biennial event organized by the Higher Colleges of Technology in the United Arab Emirates. Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Festival 2007 discussed ways and means of fostering creativity at the scientific as well as social level. Festival 2007 was held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. As with the first Festival, held in Abu Dhabi in March 2005, the U.A.E.’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, chaired the event. The Festival’s organizer was the vice chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, Dr. Tayeb A. Kamali.

His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, founder of the Festival of Thinkers, with Dr. Tayeb A. Kamali, Chairman of the Organizing Committee.

Dr. Kamali said that 16 Nobel laureates and more than 120 world thinkers attended the event..

In addition to the world’s leading minds and intellects versed in the fields of natural science and research, medicine and public health, philosophy, law and ethics, theoretical and practical economy, and information technology, Emirati and Gulf students played a major role in this event.

The format included theme introductions followed by panel discussions and round-tables. The topics were selected by various experts under the supervision of Dr. Senthil Nathan of the Higher Colleges of Technology.

“Such an undertaking is timely and will greatly benefit the young in search of their future,” Sheikh Nahayan said. “It will also benefit leaders in their quest for the best of those entrusted to them, and it will benefit researchers in following their goal. In fact, we feel that the festival will help foster the ability to adapt to challenges.”

Festival 2007 coincided with the launch of the Nobel Foundation’s Centennial Exhibition, “Cultures of Creativity”.