Engineering Ingenuity Powers Sustainable Development at UOS

Sharjah24: The University of Sharjah’s College of Engineering recently staged its annual Graduation Design Project Exhibition for the 2024/2025 academic year, transforming the campus into a vibrant showcase of innovation and technical excellence. The event, attended by His Excellency Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, Chancellor of the University, college deans, and members of both the academic and administrative staff, celebrated the creativity and vision of the University’s graduating engineers. More than fifty projects, handpicked from across the college’s diverse departments, were on display, each standing as a testament to the students’ ability to translate theory into impactful solutions.

The exhibition brimmed with professional models, interactive displays, and polished presentations, all reflecting the students’ commitment to addressing real-world challenges through sustainable design, advanced technology, and community-driven initiatives. This year’s projects pushed the boundaries of innovation, offering fresh perspectives on sustainability, technology, and social responsibility. Many of the solutions were tailored to serve the needs of the local community, underscoring the college’s dedication to producing graduates who are not only technically adept but also socially conscious.

In architectural engineering, standout projects included “Al-Hayyal,” an underwater architectural marvel in Fujairah that blends marine conservation with local heritage, and a children’s center in Kalba developed in partnership with the Public Works Department. Other highlights ranged from the “Gharas” Environmental Awareness Center to humanitarian initiatives such as advanced refugee camp designs for Kenya and sustainable community centers in Uganda.

Civil and environmental engineering students presented a comparative study of traditional construction methods and 3D concrete printing for a two-story villa in the UAE, complete with detailed designs, cost estimates, timelines, and sustainability assessments. Other projects tackled the design of reinforced concrete structures resilient to gravity and lateral loads, the performance of aerogel-modified asphalt mixes for improved heat resistance, and innovative traffic solutions for major Sharjah intersections using advanced simulation models. The department also unveiled a geotechnical-structural design for a new astronomical observatory.

Electrical engineering students showcased a “chaotic mixing” system using DC motors to enhance industrial efficiency and energy savings, as well as a smart crop monitoring and protection system to advance agricultural sustainability. Their portfolio also included an AI-powered vertical farm, reflecting the growing intersection of technology and food security.

The industrial engineering and engineering management department introduced practical applications such as digital twin-based educational tools, enhanced lathe processes using reinforcement learning, and a smart reservation system for electric vehicle parking. A sophisticated robotic system for parking enforcement, leveraging Industry 4.0 technologies, rounded out their contributions.

Renewable and sustainable energy engineering students impressed with futuristic projects, including a solar-powered golf cart charging station integrated with hydrogen cells, advanced solar panel performance enhancements, atmospheric water harvesting technologies, and climate-resilient agricultural systems.

Mechanical engineering students tackled water and energy challenges head-on, developing solar-powered atmospheric water generators, groundwater desalination plants for agriculture, and waste recycling systems that extract hydrogen for clean energy using algae-based carbon capture. Additional innovations included a novel device for measuring industrial metal wear, a solar-powered grass trimmer, and a system for eliminating bacteria in desalination plants using gas derived from seawater.

Chancellor Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy expressed his pride in the students’ achievements, praising their forward-thinking ideas and urging the practical implementation of these projects to support national strategies in sustainability, energy, infrastructure, and artificial intelligence. Prof. Abdel Wahab bin Mohammed, Dean of the College of Engineering, emphasized that these projects not only demonstrate technical and intellectual prowess but also embody the college’s mission to foster innovation and serve society. Dr. Aref Maqsood, exhibition coordinator, echoed these sentiments, noting the students’ seriousness and passion for engineering and highlighting the crucial role of artificial intelligence, interactive technologies, and industry partnerships in making the exhibition a true platform for innovation and community engagement.