Networking Fridays
Marine Biodiversity Networking Friday on Brilliant Blue Challenge
Date
May 9, 2025, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM UTC
AIR Centre Networking Fridays
More information about the Webinar series hereWatch the Recording
Watch on YouTube ↗On May 9th, 2024, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM UTC+0, we will have a special session with Omar Hussein focusing on the Brilliant Blue Challenge program, a global annual ocean innovation competition for high school students, launched by Brilliant Labs in collaboration with key stakeholders in Canada’s blue economy. Endorsed by the UN Ocean Decade, this initiative sheds light on the greatest challenges facing our blue economy, with categories focusing on marine renewable energy, marine autonomous systems, and marine life conservation. Since its inception in 2023, the challenge has engaged youth from over 20 countries tackling real-world ocean challenges and inspiring remarkable success stories. By providing a unique platform for blue innovators and young leaders, the Brilliant Blue Challenge fosters innovation and contributes to a sustainable ocean future.
Speakers
Omar Hussein Brilliant Labs, CA
Omar Hussein is the Director of the Brilliant Blue Challenge, a program by Brilliant Labs. Omar is a computer scientist by training, but he soon discovered that he is more of a people’s person than machines. He ventured into the entrepreneurial space by launching a social enterprise startup in STEM education and workforce development. Omar moved to Canada in 2019, and since then, he has been working in the inclusive economic/workforce development space.
Moderator
Rita Silva Ciência Viva, PT
Rita Silva is a project assistant at Ciência Viva (Portuguese National Agency for Scientific and Technological Culture), collaborating in the development of the scientific and cultural programmes for different publics, and in ocean related projects. With a bachelor’s in marine biology, she is currently finishing her master’s in science communication. She worked in marine wildlife rehabilitation and conservation at Project TAMAR (Brazil) and at Zeehondencentrum (Netherlands). In science communication, Rita has developed ocean literacy activities for schools as well as marine biology summer programmes for children.
Programme · UTC
Speakers
Omar Hussein
Brilliant Labs, CA
Omar Hussein is the Director of the Brilliant Blue Challenge, a program by . Omar is a computer scientist by training, but he soon discovered that he is more of a people’s person than machines. He ventured into the entrepreneurial space by launching a social enterprise startup in STEM education and workforce development. Omar moved to Canada in 2019, and since then, he has been working in the inclusive economic/workforce development space.
Rita Silva
Ciência Viva, PT
Rita Silva is a project assistant at Ciência Viva (Portuguese National Agency for Scientific and Technological Culture), collaborating in the development of the scientific and cultural programmes for different publics, and in ocean related projects. With a bachelor’s in marine biology, she is currently finishing her master’s in science communication. She worked in marine wildlife rehabilitation and conservation at Project TAMAR (Brazil) and at Zeehondencentrum (Netherlands). In science communication, Rita has developed ocean literacy activities for schools as well as marine biology summer programmes for children.
