Expo 2020 finally opens to the world in Dubai, with DMU right at the centre

The biggest show in the world has finally opened, with De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) right at the heart of it. 

After being delayed for a year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Expo 2020 has opened in Dubai with a spectacular ceremony. 

The spectacular UK Pavilion, where DMU has a permanent presence throughout Expo 2020

Today marks the first day the six-month event – in which countries from around the world will show off their best innovations in technology, culture, healthcare and sustainability - opens to the public, with thousands of people expected to attend. 

DMU is one of the founding partners of the UK Pavilion, being run by the Government’s Department of International Trade.  

The university has a permanent exhibition within the spectacular pavilion, designed by architect Es Devlin, in which it explores the past, present and future of learning.

Over the course of the six months, DMU will also showcase research, join debates and host events in a busy programme covering sustainable fashion, artificial intelligence, the future of learning, aerospace, reducing waste plastic, digital healthcare and more. 

Expert academics from many different courses will fly out or join remotely to take part in events as the university engages with leaders in public affairs and global industry, challenging debates on sustainability and ethics in technology. 

Highlights upcoming in October revolve around the theme of ‘wear’, with DMU taking part in the UK Pavilion’s What Will They Wear week with a catwalk event displaying sustainable fashion and textile collections from graduates on our DMU Fashion Design course, along with a ‘Future of Textiles’ exhibition which will share some of the wonder materials and technologies that have been developed at DMU to resolve some of the huge challenges the textiles industry faces. 

See DMU's full programme and who will be taking part here

Meanwhile, at the UK Pavilion itself, a project taking place over the six months involves using AI technology to build a poem from words visitors to the pavilion are asked to donate. 

The first word – dignity – has been entered into the program, which will aim to use the contributions to create a Collective Message projected on the UK Pavilion’s stunning cone-shaped structure throughout the event. 

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Expo 2020 Dubai, said: 

“The UK’s Collective Message is a powerful message that speaks for all of humankind, and it was a great privilege to provide the very first word. This AI-powered creative journey will serve 

as a unifying force over the 182 days of Expo and beyond, and I eagerly await to see how millions of visitors to our Expo, from every corner of the planet, will enjoy this and the plethora of experiences the UK Pavilion will offer.”