UOS concludes events of 10th Int’l Forum on Innovation, Ent.

The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah; His Excellency Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry; as well as several UoS vice chancellors, members of the Sharjah Chamber’s Board of Directors, member of the College of Business Administration’s Advisory Council, and a number of prominent entrepreneurs, industry experts, and academics.

During the closing ceremony of the forum, winners of the ninth edition of the Sharjah Chamber Award for Innovators were announced. Winner of the first place in the Innovative Projects track – university category – was Mukhrafa from the University of Sharjah, a project by students Zeina Ziad Al-Anzi, Mariam Abu Khair, Mariam Al-Mahmoudi, and Haya Mohammed. The second place in this category went to Sustainbite from the University of Dubai, presented by Abdullah Ibrahim, Mohammed Al-Marzouqi, and Abdulaziz Al-Qasimi. In the Sustainable Innovation and Employability track, the first-place award went to the Faa'iloon project from Khalifa University, developed by students Fatima Ramadan and Sarah Mahmoud, while the second place was awarded to Wajhati from the University of Sharjah, presented by Mariam Qaud, Hanan Samaan, Abeer Qaddah, Mariam Karimi, Wissan Kadhat, Moza Aziz, Hamda Al-Ali, and Rama Mansour.

In the school category, the first place in the Innovative Projects track was awarded to Safety in Every Step from the Applied Technology Schools – Ajman, a project developed by students Bati Al-Muhairi and Abdullah Al-Shamsi. The second place went to the Arduino-Based Vehicle Safety System, a project from the Applied Technology Schools – Umm Al-Quwain, by students Bushra Al-Ketbi, Najoud Al-Ketbi, and Reem Al-Shamsi. In the Sustainable Innovation and Employability track, the first place went to Emirates Farm from the Applied Technology Schools – Umm Al-Quwain, presented by students Salama Al-Suridi, Afra Al-Mazrouei, Adhiba Al-Ali, Maha Al-Housani, and Haya Al-Hubsi. The second-place award went to Smart Flood Defense for Underground Parking Facilities from the Applied Technology Schools – Al-Ain, by students Maram Al-Sharji and Dana Al-Shamsi.

Events of the forum commenced with an opening speech by His Excellency Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, who expressed gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi for his patronage of the forum and his ongoing support for the University’s innovative endeavors across various fields. He emphasized that the collaboration between the University of Sharjah and the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry in organizing this forum is a significant step towards fostering a culture of innovation and creativity among students. He highlighted the importance of empowering young people to identify challenges affecting individuals and endeavor to develop innovative solutions that can be translated into entrepreneurial projects that contribute to societal development and economic and environmental sustainability. He also outlined the University’s mission to equip students with both theoretical and practical skills, enabling them to showcase their ideas and capitalize on opportunities for further development.

In his remarks, His Excellency Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated, “We are delighted to celebrate a new group of winners of the Sharjah Chamber Award for Innovators, launched in collaboration with the University of Sharjah. This initiative continues to support the culture of innovation and creativity among young Emiratis. The award focuses on two invaluable elements: human capital, which is the true instigator of development, and innovation, which is a fundamental driver of a promising future. This award motivates young people to present pioneering and innovative projects that contribute to the development of the national economy.” He also added, “We are proud that this edition saw the participation of over 300 entrants, which reflects the prominent role the University of Sharjah plays in developing the skills and capabilities of Emirati youth. This wide participation highlights the importance of the award in stimulating innovation and fulfilling students’ ambitions. The accompanying exhibition also provided an opportunity to discover several innovative projects that reflect the creativity and entrepreneurial thinking of the youth.”

Prof. Ilhan Ozturk, Dean of the College of Business Administration, commended the innovative projects presented during this edition of the award, noting that 319 projects were submitted by 8 groups. He described these entrees as an inspiring beginning for a journey of creativity and change, showcasing the passion and ingenuity of the talented participants. He emphasized that the University of Sharjah, through its College of Business Administration, is dedicated to fostering an environment conducive to innovation and creativity, thus shaping the future of the nation. He also extended his gratitude to all the participants and organizers for their efforts in making this event a success, embodying the shared vision for excellence and leadership.

The forum featured keynote speakers including Duran James Davies, CEO of Bounce, and Jamal Ahmed Mousa, CEO of Digital Brand Building Company, who shared their personal experiences in the fields of innovation and entrepreneurship. They discussed the major challenges and opportunities they encountered in their careers, along with successful strategies for business development and developing digital brands.