Science Club ready for Middle East inventions exhibition

The Chairman of the organizing committee of the Fourth International Inventions Exhibition in the Middle East Ayad Al-Kharafi said he expects dramatic developments this year, apparently forecasting major innovations. Addressing the press Saturday night, the Chairman of the Board of Kuwait Science Club, event organizer, said the exhibition would kick off November 21 and last till the 24th. Representing the Amir and sponsor at the inauguration would be Minister of Information Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali. This year's competitors are 170 inventors from 35 countries. The event had already established a reputation as one of high standards, Al-Kharafi said, and coordination with applicants had been arranged at a very early stage of the organization. The top criteria is the product or invention, not the inventor's qualifications or repute. The top prize of USD 15,000 is contributed by Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity, and the inventions to be judged could be collaborative works as well as individual products. Director General of the creativity center Omar Al-Bannai said this is the first time it supports such an event, noting the center supports 21 inventors, most of whom have patents under their names. The center works in harmony with the Science Club and aims to encourage gifted and talented youth, highlight their achievements, and promote cultural innovation and advancement in Kuwaiti society. "Over the past 15 years, the country saw the registration of over 60 patents," Al-Bannai said. Representative of the International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva and President of the Judging Panel David Taji for his part said such events are important for exchange of ideas and developments. He said he would employ the same criteria he refers to in the Geneva expo during the Kuwaiti event. Main criteria are level of innovation of the product and the degree to which it is developed and fine-tuned,