Students from across the GCC will be participating in the region’s first 3D printing competition aimed at targeting young talent from schools and universities.

The Gulf 3D Printing Olympiad, inspired by the UAE Innovation Week, is described as the brainchild of ATLAB, a technology-based learning solutions company.

The 3D printing contest is based on the theme, "Design your own consumer product," where participants will have to design and 3D print an innovative consumer product, preferably something that can help people in their everyday lives.

The winners of the competition will be awarded prizes including an all-expense-paid trip to attend the international 3D printing event, TCT Show + Personalize, in Birmingham, the UK, in addition to 3D printers and cash rewards.

“This event is an opportunity for students to showcase their creativity, innovative thinking and design skills, in designing advanced 3D models and successfully printing them out in a three-dimensional format,” explains S. Senthil Kugan, GM, ATLAB.

For ATLAB, the initiative is mainly geared toward developing innovative thinking and design capabilities among students.

“The event is inspired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum’s vision of innovation. There is no better platform to inculcate this spirit than among the student community. Design is an important part of innovation and technology has enabled us to use 3D printing to bring to life our unique concepts,” says Kugan.

He adds: "3D printing is a powerful tool and is getting more affordable. Today, it is possible for children to design a product and 3D print it.”

The 2015-16 Gulf 3D Printing Olympiad is open to all school and university students in the UAE aged between 10 and 25.

Entries should be submitted by March 30 next. The awards will be presented at the finale of the Gulf 3D Printing Olympiad in April.