BUiD participates in the UK Pavilion’s activities at Dubai Expo 2020

Dubai, UAE

Sallam Sallam 

The British University in Dubai (BUiD) in collaboration with Heriot-Watt University Dubai and University of Birmingham Dubai, participated in STEM activities at the UK Pavilion, Expo 2020 where the three universities show-cased the best of British higher education. Staff demonstrated their expertise in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, robotics, and engineering.

A team from BUiD, led by Hugh Martin, the Registrar and Chief Administrative Officer, created activities that included drone systems’ processing, autonomous vehicles, and electromechanical components used in electric cars. Visitors were introduced to autonomous car systems and how they can be programmed, children had fun colouring in 3D printed Red Arrows planes and making mini gas-powered F1 cars out of paper, and young students were given hands-on experience with the mobile application that is used in learning basic programming functions.

Two of BUiD’s founders, the British Business Group in Dubai and the Northern Emirates and Rolls-Royce, supported the team, with a team of engineers from Rolls-Royce participating in the event.

The day was framed by the world’s leading air display team, the Royal Air Force Red Arrows, who visited the universities’ activities and interacted with visitors. Following the activities, the Red Arrows put on an astonishing display over Expo 2020, featuring some of their famous manoeuvres and death-defying feats.

 After the activities concluded, a reception was held in the UK Pavilion hosted by HE Patrick Moody, HM Ambassador to the UAE, and HE Simon Penney, HM Consul General to Dubai, and attended by dignitaries including Air Marshal Sammy Sampson CBE DSO, UK Defence Senior Advisor to the Middle East and North Africa.

BUiD’s Registrar, Hugh Martin, presented Wing Commander David Montenegro, Officer Commanding the Red Arrows, with a commemorative plaque on behalf of BUiD and received a picture signed by all the pilots. Hugh added, “I was delighted to represent BUiD at this event, celebrating what makes British higher education the envy of the world. I’m proud of our students and staff who attended, and glad to have worked with colleagues from our founders Rolls-Royce and two other leading British universities, showing collaboration at its best. To end the day watching the world-famous Red Arrows really marked an amazing occasion in the opening week of Expo 2020.”