Introduction to Innovation Arabia 8

Innovation Arabia 8 will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University.

This year’s topic is “Innovate, Collaborate, and Differentiate: Honouring the Past, Treasuring the Present, and Shaping the Future”. The event takes place from 16-18 February 2015 at the Address Hotel in Dubai.

This topic reflects the university’s belief that, innovation is the path towards growth, progress and a better tomorrow for the Arab World. Innovation can drive sustainable economic and social development for the region. Countries in the Arab World will need to embark on a journey of innovations and prepare the ground for the rise of the creative revolution, creative class, and creative society, so their economies are transformed into knowledge economies.

Innovation Arabia 8 offers a valuable platform for academics and practitioners to explore a rich set of individual, organisational and contextual forces that serve several crucial functions. They promote sustainability in the MENA region in terms of quality business and management; health and environment; banking and finance; as well as e-Learning and education. More importantly, they assist the region in gaining the respect and international recognition it deserves.

Innovation Arabia 8 will feature four important tracks:

• Quality and Business Management
• e-learning Excellence
• Health and Environment
• Islamic Banking and Finance

Innovation Arabia 8 helps to capitalize on the successes and the potential of this community and contributes to unleashing the region’s significant economic opportunities.

The conference will also feature many other activities including policy and strategy round tables and research awards. It will also offer many formal and informal networking opportunities including an exclusive gala dinner, bringing together researchers, industry leaders from international organizations, local and regional government entities and the corporate sectors and NGOs. It is a perfect venue to discuss and address trends, solutions, and challenges in the development of sustainable economies and societies in the Arab World through innovation.