The UAE University and Google are planning to work together to develop a high tech hub to inspire young locals to turn their tech obsessions into a successful business.
The Google Innovation Hub would start functioning by the end of this year at the premises of the UAE University campus. Students aged 8-24 from across the Emirate could attend it to learn how to build robots, develop Android apps, and more. The interior design of the hub would resemble the actual Google headquarters in the Silicon Valley – all rooms would be colorful with a modern free-spirit theme.
One of the main goals of the tech center is to teach students machine learning, used by Google to develop Google translate and the search engine app Go Google. Similar to Siri, the users just state what they are looking for, and the results pop up on the screen.
It would also feature a Maker Space section where students would learn 3D printing, laser cutting, and robotics. In the App Factory, students would be able to create mobile apps for Android, including coding in virtual reality using Google Cardboard. The hub would also organize regular meetings with Google Execs who would go to the young learners and talk to them in person.
Selim Edde, the head of public policy and government relations for Google in the Middle East and North Africa commented:
This center will be the first of its kind in the region because it will teach young people practical things in a fun and simple way; it will prepare them for the job market.