Dubai Internet City to promote Smart Dubai through a series of initiatives to foster innovation
Dubai Internet City (DIC) has been named a strategic partner for Smart Dubai, with a mandate to spearhead the development and support of start-ups, entrepreneurs, mobile applications and web developers. This falls under the Government's widerSmart Dubai vision for Dubaito become the happiest city in the world by embracing innovation within technology.
Launched in 2014 under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, Smart Dubai involves partnerships between the public and private sectors in order to foster an efficient, seamless and safe city experience for all residents and visitors.
Within its role as a strategic partner for Smart Dubai, DIC has already headlined a number of initiatives and events this year which aim to foster the development of new ideas, talent and technology, including Drones for Good, the Decode Dubai hackathon, HackaMENA, and Droidcon.
DIC has also been named Dubai's official partner for the global Smart City App Hack competition. The initiative aims to create an international network of citizens who will develop apps around building the Smart Cities of the 21st Century, and the winner of the Dubai finals of this competition will have the chance to represent the emirate at the Smart City Expo in Barcelona. The competition is an opportunity for Dubai's tech and developer community to connect and compete with communities from around the world, including Barcelona, Helsinki and Phoenix, and through a series of local events, including the second edition of the Decode Dubai hackathon which was held this month, the most innovative apps will be shortlisted to take part.
The competition feeds directly into Dubai's wider vision to be the smartest city in the world by 2017 and to have all services and facilities available on smart phones, and Smart City initiatives are already full steam ahead, with free WiFi services rolled out across more than 200 locations across Dubai. A recent survey by Frost and Sullivan revealed that business opportunities worth $1.57 trillion would be created worldwide across different industries by 2020, thanks to various smart city initiatives, which poses significant opportunities for Dubai.
Established by Smart Dubai, the Open Data Committee is developing the policy and framework to facilitate open data exchange for city stakeholders. The committee aims to enable seamless and secure data access for city decision makers while increasing opportunities for the private sector to co-create smart services and initiatives for the city.
Commenting, Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr, Assistant Director General of The Executive Office and Director of the Smart Dubai Task Force, said: "Dubai has a vibrant tradition of encouraging technology and entrepreneurship, and the story of Dubai Internet City , for example, is evidence of this tradition. Guided by His Highness's vision, we will continue to work with our partners in the private sector to build a true smart city of the future, and one that drives real happiness for its people."
Commenting, Majed Al Suwaidi said: "We fully support the Government of Dubai's vision to make Dubai the smartest city in the world, and to inspire a digitally-driven society. Through initiatives such as the Smart City App Hack, we aim to nurture new ideas and encourage talent and creativity, which are integral to achieving Dubai's wider smart objectives.
"ICT is a key enabler of the Smart City model, and we will continue to look at ways we can promote innovation within this sector. As Dubai moves towards 2020 and the upcoming Expo, it is crucial that people are equipped with the right tools and environment to embrace today's fast-paced change and create new solutions, and we will continue to look at ways through which to do so."
About Dubai Internet City
Dubai Internet City (DIC), part of TECOM Investments, a member of Dubai Holding, is the Middle East and North Africa's largest ICT hub. Since the year 2000, DIC has successfully developed a prosperous ecosystem for technology organisations and today is home to Fortune 500 listed companies and multinationals as well as some of the region's most dynamic and successful technology SMEs and start-ups from all elements of the ICT value chain.
DIC provides a wide range of facilities including state-of-the-art offices, a robust IT infrastructure, 24-hour security, retail services and hotels, spread across the business park's unique and tranquil landscape; an environment that helps ICT businesses develop, innovate and grow. For more information, please visit: www.dubaiinternetcity.com.
About Smart Dubai
The Smart Dubai initiative is founded on the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to make Dubai the happiest city on earth by embracing technology innovation. Collaborating with the private sector and government partners, Smart Dubai will deliver impact across six dimensions: Smart Economy, Smart Living, Smart Government, Smart Mobility, Smart Environment and Smart People, to accomplish its strategic objectives and promote efficient, seamless, safe and impactful city experiences for all residents and visitors.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Alexa Hooft Graafland & Noora Al Suwaidi
Quelle/Source: Zawya, 12.07.2015
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