Hamdan Foundation Completes Final Evaluation of Projects in the Innovators Competition

2024-11-27

Dubai, UAE, 27 November 2024: Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences has announced the completion of the evaluation process for the finalist projects in the "Innovators" competition 2024, organized annually by Fab Lab UAE. This phase represents a pivotal step in selecting the winners, with the projects evaluated based on stringent criteria, including creativity, social impact, and practical feasibility. The evaluated projects included nine groundbreaking innovations spanning various fields, such as a mind-controlled home automation system, a project to enhance groundwater sustainability, the "Falaj" water resource management system, an innovative technique for cleaning solar panels using sound waves, hydroponic systems for home use, the "StressSync" stress management device, a smart drowning detection bracelet, a flexible and intelligent shading system, and "CrossSafe," a pedestrian safety enhancement project. These projects address critical issues related to sustainability, safety, and quality of life, reflecting the creativity and ambition of the participating teams. Commenting on the conclusion of the evaluation process, Dr. Mariam Al Ghawi, Director of Hamdan Bin Rashid Center for Giftedness and Innovation, said: "With the completion of the final evaluation phase, we are one step closer to recognizing winners who epitomize creativity and innovation in the UAE. This competition highlights our role in supporting young innovators by providing them with the opportunities and resources to transform their ideas into successful projects that contribute to societal development and reinforce the UAE's leadership in innovation, science, and technology. We are proud of the high caliber of projects submitted this year, which reflect the remarkable creativity of our youth." The jury panel includes a distinguished group of experts in innovation and creativity. This year’s competition saw the participation of 137 teams, of which 45 met the eligibility criteria. From these, 20 teams advanced to the preliminary evaluation phase, with nine teams selected for implementation and final judging. Organizers highlighted that the winning projects would receive comprehensive support, including a cash prize of AED 20,000, a certificate of achievement recognizing their accomplishments, and opportunities for local and international media promotion. Additionally, technical support will be provided to transform the ideas into marketable products. The final results are set to be announced later in December. The competition aims to attract individuals and teams with practical and innovative ideas, encouraging creative thinking and skill development. It also seeks to provide a conducive environment, such as the Fab Lab UAE, to transform unique ideas into real-world projects that add value to society and support the UAE's vision for innovation and sustainable development The winners were honored by Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Supreme President of the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, alongside H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of the Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), HE Dr. Abdulrahman Abdulmannan Al Awar the Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation - Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research in UAE, and H.E. Humaid Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation. The ceremony was attended by senior officials, including ministers of higher education, heads of organizations, and other dignitaries from across the Arab world. The ceremony also witnessed the announcement of Hamdan-ALECSO Award for Digital Innovations in Education Across the Arab World, a new initiative aimed at promoting and encouraging innovation and honoring innovators. In his speech delivered on behalf of Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, H.E. Humaid Al Qatami, welcomed the attendees and emphasized that education in the UAE has achieved exceptional progress under the leadership of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, along with the rulers of the Emirates. HE stated, “As we honor the winners of Hamdan-ALECSO Award for Distinguished Educational Research today, we celebrate the success of the partnership between ALECSO and Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences. This partnership, initiated by the late Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum—may he rest in peace—was inspired by noble values aimed at shaping Arab education systems capable of addressing intertwined cultural and social challenges, especially the rapid digital revolution, to enable Arab societies to achieve greater opportunities for excellence and sustainability.” HE continued, “Driven by this vision, we have worked with ALECSO to enhance bilateral cooperation in serving Arab education through a new initiative aimed at improving educational environments in line with digital advancements. On behalf of myself and H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of ALECSO, I am pleased to announce the launch of the Hamdan-ALECSO Award for Digital Innovations in Education Across the Arab World. We firmly believe in the role of technology in advancing education and recognize that innovative minds are the foundation for building a knowledge-based society that contributes to the progress of our nation and its position among others.” Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum congratulated the winners of Hamdan-ALECSO Award for Distinguished Educational Research and extended his gratitude to the ALECSO team and the jury for their efforts. Professor Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of ALECSO, expressed his gratitude to Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his patronage, H.E. Humaid Mohammed Al Qutami for his leadership, and Dr. Khalifa Al Suwaidi and the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation team for their efforts in strengthening the partnership with ALECSO. He emphasized the importance of educational innovation in adapting to technological and scientific developments, making education systems more responsive to contemporary needs. HE congratulated the winners and all participants from Arab countries for their contributions. Professor Mohamed Ould Amar added, “Outstanding educational research plays a crucial role in improving educational practices and outcomes. It allows educators to enhance their teaching methodologies and supports decision-makers in developing more informed educational policies.” The ceremony also included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation and ALECSO for the implementation of the Hamdan-ALECSO Award for Digital Innovations in Education Across the Arab World, targeting individuals and institutions in the Arab region. This award aims to stimulate and promote digital innovation in education, contributing to the creation of new solutions through modern digital technologies such as artificial intelligence. It also fosters knowledge exchange and collaboration among educational institutions and pioneers of digital transformation, highlights pioneering initiatives in education, and disseminates best practices in integrating advanced digital technologies to enhance teaching and learning. This year, the award attracted wide participation with 154 research papers from 11 countries. Saudi Arabia led the submissions with 103 research papers, followed by the UAE with 16, and Egypt with 17. The winning research papers included: Dr. Zainab Hassan Hamid Al-Salami from Ain Shams University, Egypt, for her research on "Developing a Model for Employing Generative AI in Project-Based Learning in Teacher Preparation Programs and Its Impact on Innovative Outputs and Passion." Dr. Rahma Bint Suleiman Bin Hadi Thakir and Mr. Hassan Bin Dhafer Bin Hassan Al-Zahrani from Saudi Arabia for their research on "The Impact of Employing AI-Enhanced Knowledge Quests on Academic Achievement and Improving Attitudes Toward Mathematics Among High School Students." Professor Abdulaziz Bin Fahd Bin Ibrahim Al-Asil from King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia, for his work on "An Educational Program Based on Metaverse Technology and Its Effectiveness in Enhancing Digital Future Skills and Positive Attitudes Among University Students." A research team from King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia, including Dr. Iman Bint Ali Al-Mohamadi, Ms. Malak Bint Ali Al-Fahmi Al-Zahrani, Ms. Bashayer Bint Abdullah Al-Qarni, Dr. Iradah Bint Omar Hamad, and Ms. Jawana Bint Abdullah Al-Jahani, for their research on "The Use of AI Applications in Graduate Research: Prevalence and Its Relationship to Perceived Impostor Syndrome."

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