The University of Sharjah has announced the winners of its Youth Scientific Research and Innovation Award, held under the theme “With Youth, We Can.” The award ceremony was organized by the Research Outreach Department, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies, and drew a distinguished audience of academic leaders and representatives of sponsoring institutions.

The award featured three main categories: innovative projects, innovative ideas, and impactful projects, offering students a platform to showcase their creativity and transform ideas into practical research initiatives. Open to undergraduate students at the University of Sharjah, the award aims to promote innovation and academic excellence among young people.

In the innovative ideas category, Nazira Jabrateh and Ghazal Al Breiki were recognized for their concept of a “smart patch for the treatment of endometriosis.” Karam Kreidly, Alaa Al Rashid, Khair Al Din Sbihi, and Mohammed Hussein were honored for their project on assessing fish biodiversity in Fujairah’s waters using artificial intelligence. Hamad Al Ali and Mohammed Ali Abdul Karim received recognition for improving hydrogen production from aluminum industry waste, while Shamsa Al Shamsi was awarded for her project “Open Vision.” Ziggy Li was also recognized for a study exploring the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence applications in developing countries.

In the innovative projects category, Saleh Al Najjar was awarded for his work on predicting sample concentration using artificial intelligence. Ruqayya Massad, Aisha Al Darmaki, Rina Sabouh, and Shafa Abdel Nazeer were recognized for developing a deep neural network to predict synergistic drug combinations. Mohammed bin Ali, Mohammed Abdul Harith, Mohammed Nihal, and Mohammed Hisham were honored for creating a secure digital credential verification system using blockchain technology. Mahaz Khan, Omar Nabulsi, and Hamza Luay received recognition for an intelligent system to assess stroke risk among young people. Mariam Al Hosani, Jawaher Al Mehairi, Meitha Al Awadhi, and Maisam Khalifa were also awarded for their AI-based system to detect and quantify cracks in aircraft.

The impactful projects category included winners Kahida Subhi and Amna Al Maamari for designing and developing an indoor air quality system for greenhouses in the UAE. Nabil Mohammed Jassim was recognized for his work on a portable spectroscopic platform produced using 3D printing. Raghad Al Khalaf was honored for her project “Calm Atmospheres,” while Asma Saleh Al Muhairi received recognition for her study on the transition to sustainable energy and its impact on urban design and populations in Sharjah. Sumaya Al Fahd, Yara Zaben, and Tala Al Qadi were awarded for developing a multimodal AI-based medical decision support system. Maha Al Mansoori was also recognized for designing and developing a sustainable, nature-inspired nursery in Ras Al Khaimah.

The aim of the award is to advance scientific research and innovation while empowering young people by providing the resources and opportunities needed to become leaders in research and innovation at both local and global levels. It also aims to motivate emerging researchers, support outstanding students in developing their projects, and strengthen connections between students, experts, and researchers, fostering a culture of academic and professional collaboration.

The initiative was supported by several strategic partners and community organizations, including the University Hospital Sharjah, Sharjah National Oil Corporation, Huawei, the Emirates Scholar Center for Research and Studies, the Federal Youth Authority, the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

The awards ceremony was attended by Prof. Maamar Bettayeb, Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies, along with a number of officials and representatives of sponsoring entities. Among them were Dr. Khalifa Alnuaimi, Chief Executive Officer of the University Hospital Sharjah; Engineer Masoud Al Hammadi, Executive Director of Exploration and Production at Sharjah National Oil Corporation; Ghada Al Zaabi, Director of Ras Al Khaimah Youth Center; and Sherry Tong of Huawei. Several college deans, members of the judging and organizing committees, and faculty and academic staff were also in attendance.