Abu Dhabi: Aimed at supporting innovative ideas that address key health-care challenges, the government on Tuesday announced the launch of Technology Innovative Pioneer (TIP) Healthcare Awards.
The awards are being promoted by the Department of Heath – Abu Dhabi (DoH), in partnership with the Ministry of Economy (MoE) and the Department of Economic Development – Abu Dhabi (DED).
Individuals and institutions from around the world will be able to take part, with the selected winners receiving a total prize of Dh3 million in investments, sponsorships, licensing and business development, among other areas of support. The deadline for submissions is on January 31, 2018, with the awarding ceremony set for April 2018.
The awards will be split into three main categories: patents, proof of concept and start-ups. Ideas and projects in all categories will have to come up with solutions in treating medical issues such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease prevention, oral health, and cancer control, among others. A panel of expert judges will select the top 30 propositions, with the winners being selected from that group.
Mohammad Al Hameli, acting undersecretary of the DoH – Abu Dhabi, said the awards and competition would encourage innovation on a global scale when it comes to the medical sector.
“In collaboration with our partners in the DED — Abu Dhabi [and the MoE], the aim of the TIP Healthcare Awards is to create innovative solutions to the challenges of the health-care sector in the UAE by creating a global platform that encourages innovation and competition.
“The DoH — Abu Dhabi will evaluate and bring together the ideas and innovations of a winning group of companies and entrepreneurs that contribute to finding solutions to the challenges of the health sector, and give them an opportunity to turn these ideas into projects or start-ups that support the health sector and the national economy,” he added.
Mohammad Ahmad Bin Abdul Aziz Al Shehi, undersecretary for Economic Affairs at the MoE, also spoke on the positive benefits of providing a supportive environment for entrepreneurs which, he said, would help boost the economy.
“The empowerment of innovators and the provision of an incubating environment for their creations are top priorities that the ministry and its partners are working on achieving.
“Innovation is one of the key pillars for enhancing the UAE’s business environment, consolidating economic diversification policies, and boosting the UAE’s regional and global competitiveness,” he added.
Khalifa Salem Al Mansouri, undersecretary of the DED — Abu Dhabi, shared the same views, highlighting how new and innovative ideas formed the basis of a sustainable economy in the long term.
“The DED — Abu Dhabi is committed to encouraging and empowering entrepreneurs, innovators and emerging companies in the field of technology and innovation to enable a more diversified and sustainable economic sector.
“The TIP Healthcare Award will play a vital role in supporting economic development and enhancing productivity in the UAE to build an integrated economic system aligned to the Abu Dhabi Plan and the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030,” he added.
Participants can apply through the following link: www.healthcare.tip.gov.ae
