Abu Dhabi, 31st Oct. 2009  Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), will open on Monday the third Festival of Thinkers at the Emirates Palace.

Being organised by the HCT, the two-day forum brings together an array of Nobel laureates, well-known intellectuals and students from the UAE and neighboring countries to deliberate on themes that are key to shaping the future of the Middle East and the rest of the global community.

The themes touch on such challenges as “Moving beyond the Global Crisis,” “Envisioning Sustainable Development” and “Promoting Science and Technology.” Additional topics to be discussed include world health, the globalization of culture and language, development economics and poverty alleviation, and military spending, research and innovation, among others.