In response to the Hong Kong government’s encouragement for young people to learn more and get to know the Middle East earlier, our organization brought 20 young people from Hong Kong to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar for an exchange visit at the end of 2023.
First, I will introduce what we saw and experienced in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Dubai is a city renowned for its innovative applications of science and technology. Through bold visions and investments, Dubai has become one of the world’s leading technology hubs. It has achieved remarkable accomplishments in the application of innovative technologies. Firstly, Dubai attaches great importance to the application of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The city has introduced various smart systems, from transportation management to urban management, from business to education, making the entire city more intelligent. For example, the traffic management bureau introduced AI technologies to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion. In addition, AI is also applied in airports, hotels and malls to provide more efficient and convenient services. In addition to visiting these places, we also went to Dubai University for exchange activities to learn about the latest developments and research in engineering, many of which were related to energy applications and broadened our horizons.
We visited the Museum of the Future for half a day. This majestic building is located in the center of Dubai and is an important symbol of Dubai’s transformation into a global technology hub. The design of the Museum of the Future is very unique – its exterior resembles a huge copper-colored mirror cube that reflects the surrounding cityscape. Its appearance symbolizes the future and technology and showcases Dubai’s firm commitment to innovation and technology. The museum takes an interactive, experiential and educational approach. It showcases the latest technological achievements and innovative applications such as artificial intelligence, robotics, 3D printing, virtual reality and augmented reality. Visitors can gain an in-depth understanding of how these technologies work and their application domains through interactive exhibits and experiential activities. We could participate in virtual reality games, explore robotic displays, experience future modes of transportation and more. In addition, the Museum of the Future is dedicated to addressing major global challenges such as climate change, sustainable development and human well-being.
We also visited the Huawei Middle East headquarters exhibition hall to learn about how Chinese communications technology is applied in the Middle East. We visited Legend Group’s automotive showroom to understand the local automotive industry market and had the opportunity to view the latest Chinese electric vehicles. We also visited Deloitte to understand cooperation and work between people from different countries in the Middle East.
Dubai has also made important progress in promoting innovative technologies. The city has established the Dubai Future Foundation to attract top technology companies and experts from around the world to collaborate on innovative projects. Dubai also hosts world-class technology exhibitions such as Dubai Tech Week and Dubai Innovation Exhibition, attracting global attention from the tech industry. These activities provide a platform for innovative tech enterprises, facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience, and promote the development of technological innovation.
Dubai’s success in innovative technology applications is thanks to the government’s determination and investment, as well as its open attitude towards innovation. It has not only cultivated and attracted a talented pool of technology professionals locally but also attracted top global technology companies and experts. Dubai’s innovative technological development has also driven the development of other industries such as fintech, IoT and sustainable energy.
Next, I will introduce what we saw and experienced in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and is also a city rich in technology and culture. The places we visited included mosques, desert adventures, historical villages and the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
We went to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world. Its architecture is magnificent and unique. We had the opportunity to appreciate the traditional Islamic architectural style while also learning about the mosque’s importance in local culture and religion. Its dome layout and floor plan drew inspiration from the Grand Mosque in Medina. Its arches are typical of Moorish architecture and its minarets belong to classical Arab architecture. It is a grand building whose design and construction process incorporated modern technology. This allowed us to understand the role of engineering and design techniques in creating such a majestic structure.
We also had an exciting desert adventure. Abu Dhabi is surrounded by vast desert areas, where we took four-wheel drive vehicles into the desert to experience the thrills of sandboarding down the dunes and conquering the desert. Additionally, we rode camels, tasted Arab cuisine and watched traditional Arab dances. It was an unforgettable adventurous experience. During the desert adventure, we experienced how technology has been applied to adventure activities. Four-wheel drives, sandboards and other equipment are all results of modern technology, allowing us to fully enjoy thrilling and adventurous activities.
We toured Abu Dhabi’s Heritage Village. The Heritage Village is a recreation of traditional Arab life and culture. We visited traditional buildings, handicrafts and artworks, and learned about the Arab way of life and traditional values. At the same time, we participated in some handicraft workshops to experience local traditional craftsmanship firsthand. The Heritage Village provided an opportunity to understand Arab traditional life and culture, while also showcasing the achievements of ancient technologies and crafts. It helped us understand how past technologies influenced people’s daily lives and cultural inheritance.
We visited the Louvre Abu Dhabi. The Louvre Abu Dhabi is a museum established in partnership with the Louvre in Paris that showcases art and cultural heritage from around the world. We were able to admire artworks from different periods and regions, including paintings, sculptures and art pieces. It was an excellent opportunity to learn about the diversity of world art and culture. It displayed art and cultural heritage from around the world, including works that have been restored, protected and displayed using different technological techniques. We could appreciate the important role of technology in art preservation and exhibition.
Through this technology tour, we had the opportunity to admire Abu Dhabi’s unique architecture, experience exciting desert adventures, learn about local history and culture, and appreciate world-class artworks. Abu Dhabi is a city that combines technology, culture and tradition, making it a fascinating and worthy destination to explore.
We will organise more exchange tours in coming future, you are welcome to contact us by email info@hknetea.org or phone us at 28696603. You can find more info in our IG, Facebook and YouTube , HKNETEA
