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The Student Activities Department at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) recently organized a “Creativity and Innovation” exhibition as well as an art exhibition for students from around the country. These exhibitions were held in the crescent building at UAEU on Monday 8^th December 2014. The first exhibition displayed a number of inventions and innovations by students in a variety of different fields. The second exhibition displayed paintings by students that reflect the environment and heritage of the UAE.

The “Creativity and Innovation” exhibition is part of the UAE leadership’s vision of making 2015 a year of innovation. It is designed to promote creativity among young people and is in line with the national priority to make the UAE among the most innovative countries in the world over the next seven years.

The exhibition was opened by Professor Mohamed Albaili, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (Provost). He honored the participating individuals and organizations. The Emirati inventor Ahmed Majan displayed his creative experiments while Eida Mehairbi and Wasfi Shdeiqat also demonstrated their inventions and innovations. Professor Ashraf Mujahid talked about creative ideas, the students’ industry and how these innovations might best be applied.

Professor Albaili also inaugurated the art exhibition, which reflects the UAE’s heritage and environment. Students from UAEU and the University of Sharjah participated. The winning paintings were put on display at the 43^rd National Day Competition, which aims to highlight folkloric games as part of a national legacy and to promote works that strengthen Emirati identity. This all supports the maintenance of Emirati cultural heritage among the country’s citizens.