Student innovators to steal show at Dubai Design Week next month 150
dubai — When we think of ecotourism, we often picture ecofriendly lodges in the middle of lush green forests. But a team of students from NYU Abu Dhabi are trying to bring low impact tourism to the desert.
With Dubai Design Week kicking off next month, student innovation will anchor one of the standout exhibits of the week-long event. The Global Grad Show will see 150 projects from university teams around the globe vie for a cash prize and investment to take their projects forward.
With seven teams from the UAE representing the country, Brendan McGetrick, director and curator of the Global Grad Show, told Khaleej
Times on Monday that two of the standout projects for this year will come from the capital.
One team from NYU Abu Dhabi will be showcasing a never-beforeseen approach to tourism in the UAE. “They are trying to launch the first eco-tourist destination based on the desert surroundings in the UAE. The design will be based on space exploration technology and prefabricated construction techniques, which will be modelled on an eco-friendly house that doesn’t impact the environment,” McGetrick said.
A second team project from Khalifa University will be on exhibit by two female students. “This invention is really interesting. It’s an energy efficient way to desalinate sea water, which for this region is a huge need. It is much less energy intensive and encompasses design, engineering and innovation.”
In 2017, the winning team from Poland designed jewellery to treat carpel tunnel syndrome, and they walked away with $10,000 in cash and received mentorship from industry leaders. And this year, McGetrick said the cash prize “may increase”.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Rue Kothari, fair director of Downtown Design, said the week-long event doesn’t only have to appeal to people with an eye for design.
“You don’t necessarily have to be design-minded to enjoy this event, because we live with design on a daily basis. “We will have pop-up retail, workshops for children and families, including a Lego workshop and a Making Space. It’s just an engaging event focused on new design, but it doesn’t require that industry specific knowledge.”
Dubai Design Week will be a free-of-charge event and will run from November 13 to 17 (10am10pm) at the Dubai Design District (d3).
You don’t necessarily have to be design-minded to enjoy this event, because we live with design on a daily basis.”
Rue Kothari, fair director, Downtown Design
They (NYU Abu Dhabi students) are trying to launch first ecotourist destination based on desert surroundings in the UAE.”
Brendan McGetrick, director & curator, Global Grad Show