AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)
Make it in the Emirates 2026 is giving families, students, and professionals a closer look at the UAE's industrial future, with many attendees saying the event has made the country's manufacturing ambitions feel more visible and within reach.
Held in Abu Dhabi from May 4-7, MIITE 2026 drew thousands of visitors from across the UAE, including engineers, entrepreneurs, university students and parents with children. The exhibition connected the UAE's industrial plans with real companies, working technologies and possible career paths in manufacturing, robotics, sustainability, and engineering, giving attendees a clearer view of how national ambitions are taking form on the ground.
For Emirati university student Fatima Al Mansoori, the exhibition evoked a strong sense of national pride and changed how she viewed opportunities in the industrial sector.
"The degree of innovation displayed by UAE companies really impressed me," she told Aletihad. "Observing cutting-edge technologies, robotics, and locally produced goods made me feel proud of how far the nation has come. It also inspired me to think about a future in technology and engineering."
Several visitors said that the event showed how the UAE is expanding its economy through advanced manufacturing, local production and investment in homegrown talent. The strongest impression for many was the way companies linked industrial growth with sustainability, presenting cleaner production methods and smarter technologies as part of the country's manufacturing future.
Among them is Abdullah Albriki, who said the exhibition gave visitors a clear sense of the scale of the UAE's industrial ambitions.
"The emphasis on sustainability and smart manufacturing caught my attention the most," he told Aletihad. "Many businesses support eco-friendly solutions while utilising cutting-edge technologies. The exhibition demonstrates the UAE's commitment to being a worldwide industrial leader."
For families and younger participants, MIITE 2026 offers a great opportunity to learn about fields that can often seem distant from daily life. Through machines, robots and interactive displays, they can see first-hand how science, engineering and technology are used in real industrial settings, with parents saying that the experience also helps turn abstract school subjects into something practical and visible.
"My kids were thrilled to see the machines, robots, and interactive displays," Ahmed Al Ali, who attended the exhibition with his kids, told Aletihad. "These kinds of events teach young people the value of science, technology, and engineering. It inspires them to consider professions that can contribute to the UAE's future."
Mariam Al Bloshi added that seeing young Emiratis fronting projects and representing major companies made the exhibition more meaningful. It also gave her confidence in the next phase of the UAE's manufacturing journey.
"Seeing Emirati men and women leading projects and representing major companies was inspiring," she told Aletihad. "The exhibition emphasises the value of investing in local talent and providing young people with opportunities to contribute to national development."