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Author

Grant Reilly

Published

1st September 2021

Category
News

#DigiInventorsChallenge goes global

The #DigiInventorsChallenge is back for its fifth year and this year we're going global. We’re challenging our young citizens to do whatever it takes to inspire Scotland’s and the United Arab Emirates (UAE's) young people to get and keep active, improve their physical, mental health, and happiness? Join our team as you compete to showcase your winning idea as part of Scotland’s contribution to Expo 2020 Dubai.

This year we have recruited dressCode as our education and charity partner and have produced new teaching and learning resources to support our teachers and students develop their ideas while learning more about the skills required for a successful career in the digital health and care sector.

We’re looking to identify a winner for each council area in Scotland who will then be shortlisted down to our final four teams. They will be joined by four finalist teams from our parallel competition being delivered in the UAE by Heriot-Watt University Dubai.

These eight teams will then participate in our virtual bootcamp and compete in our final to be crowned #DigiInventorsChallenge Champions and win some fantastic tech prizes. The Scottish and UAE winners will then work with our partners to develop a prototype/ Minimal Viable Project (MVP) to be showcased as part of Scotland’s contribution to Expo 2020 Dubai.

Chief Executive of the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre, Professor George Crooks OBE, said:
“I’m delighted to see the success of our #DigiInventorsChallenge, in association with Glasgow Warriors, continue to grow year on year and be recognised by our peers, students and schools throughout Scotland. It’s a testament to our hard work and that of our partners that, for this year, we will be taking our challenge international and showcasing our winners as part of Scotland’s contribution to Expo 2020 in Dubai.

Our young people are our future, and it is essential that we allow them to shape and contribute to the development of digital solutions that can address some of the healthcare challenges that they and their peers face on a day-to-day basis.

The #DigiInventorsChallenge not only identifies health and care challenges from a young person’s perspective but also highlights to them the potential career opportunities that exist in the digital health and care sector. Creating a link between Scotland and the United Arab Emirates through participation in the #DigiInventorsChallenge can also create further opportunities for international collaboration. I’m truly excited to see what ideas they come up with at Expo 2020 in Dubai”.

Grab your team-mates and get involved in the #DigiInventorsChallenge 2021. Find out more at: www.digiinventors.com and follow @DigiInventors on Twitter and Facebook.

The deadline for applications is Thursday 30 September 2021.

Our 2020 winners were My Mood Buddy from Alloa Academy. Their winning idea was a mobile application that aimed to support young Scots with mental health issues manage their health and wellbeing. The app links users with a ‘Mood Buddy’ to help support them in managing their mental health. This companion can use the app to perform daily checks, while users can use it to keep a secure journal, personalise their content to reflect their likes, dislikes and overall mood and allows them to contact their ‘Mood Buddy’ when they need their support.

Learn more and submit your idea

-- Notes to editor –

About #DigiInventorsChallenge 2021

What is it?

The #DigiInventorsChallenge, in association with Glasgow Warriors and the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre, are on a mission to find smart new ways to help Scotland’s and the UAE’s young people keep active, staying healthy and happy, now and in the future.

The challenge itself is very simple - we want you to identify health and care challenges that you face daily and come up with a digital idea that could potentially be transformed into a real digital solution.

When is it?

The #DigiInventorsChallenge takes place between September 2021 and December 2021 with our winners being showcased as part of Scotland's contribution to Expo 2020 Dubai between 31 January and 01 February 2022.

Key dates

  • 01/09/2021 - Applications open
  • 30/09/2021 - Applications close
  • 18/10/2021 - Finalists announced
  • 03/11/2021 - Two-day virtual bootcamp
  • 29/11/2021 - Virtual final
  • 30/11/2021 - Winners announced
  • 06/12/2021 - Winners work with partners
  • 31/01/2022 - Expo 2020 Dubai showcase

How do I enter?

  • Select your teammates (mixed teams of three or four young people plus one adult mentor)
  • Create and submit your idea
  • Show your passion as you defend your business case and showcase it to our judges
  • Respect your peers, their feedback and ideas
  • Inspire your community
  • Do whatever it takes to become #DigiInventorsChallenge Champions

Why should I get involved?

  • Make a difference to the health of Scotland’s & the UAE's young people
  • We're picking a winner for each Council area in Scotland
  • Make it to bootcamp and receive a #DigiInventorsChallenge goodie bag
  • Winning teams will work with our partners to develop a MVP of their idea
  • Fantastic tech prizes for each member of the winning teams
  • Opportunity to showcase your winning idea and MVP at Expo 2020 Dubai

About Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI)

The Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) is a national resource and Innovation Centre funded by the Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council. We are a collaboration between the Glasgow School of Art and the University of Strathclyde (our host institution).

Our focus is innovation in digital health and care will help the people of Scotland live longer, healthier lives, while providing sustainable and inclusive growth for our economy.

We collaborate, co-design and transform great ideas into real solutions that have benefits to the system and our citizens.

We provide engagement; facilitation; project management; and service, business, technical innovation to increase individual and organisation readiness to harness digital innovation for impactful results.

For more information on DHI or the #DigiInventorsChallenge 2021, contact Grant Reilly, Head of Communications & Marketing.

About Glasgow Warriors

Glasgow Warriors are one of Scotland’s professional rugby teams. They compete in the United Rugby Championship and Heineken Champions Cup and play their matches at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow. Go to www.glasgowwarriors.org | Follow @GlasgowWarriors on Instagram, Twitter and facebook.

About dressCode

dressCode was founded with the aim to close the gender gap in Computing Science.
They are building a network of dressCode clubs in schools. It is our aim to bridge the gap between education and industry and create opportunities for young girls to see the opportunities in tech. Through our network we will help to flood the talent pipeline in tech.

About Heriot-Watt University Dubai

Heriot-Watt University Dubai is a truly international university. It is one of Heriot-Watt’s five global campuses, with partners in 150 countries and 30,000 students studying worldwide. Heriot-Watt University Dubai offers an extensive range of research-informed degree programmes in a global study environment, with strong links to business and industry.

About Expo 2020 Dubai

Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo ever hosted in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region. Through our theme of Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, we aim to host a World Expo that inspires people by showcasing the best examples of collaboration, innovation and cooperation from around the world.

Scotland will be participating in the next World Expo in Dubai, taking place from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022. An opportunity for you to explore why Scotland is a world-leading destination, not only for your business and investment but also for education, culture and tourism. Scottish Development International are hosting a five-day programme of exciting, informative and educational activity for you to experience at the UK Pavilion at Expo.

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