Under the slogan “Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Student Projects for Better Youth Health,” the University of Sharjah honored the winners of the 10th Sharjah Chamber Award for Innovators, organized in partnership with the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The ceremony took place as part of the 11th International Forum on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, bringing together academic leaders, industry figures, entrepreneurs, and students to spotlight ideas that bridge creativity, wellbeing, and enterprise.

The event was attended by Prof. Nouar Tabet, Acting Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Sharjah; Walid Bukhater, second vice chair of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Nada Al Hajri, general coordinator of the Sharjah Excellence Award; alongside senior chamber officials and faculty members. The forum drew a diverse audience of entrepreneurs, specialists, and academics working across industry and entrepreneurship.

In the university category, awards were announced under the track “Innovative Solutions to Improve Youth Lifestyles.” First place went to Sahem from Abu Dhabi University, developed by Rama Abdullah and Khadija Ahmed. Second place was awarded to NICOTRAP AI from the University of Sharjah, created by Saadiya Liaqat Ali and Nabeel Mohammed Jassim. Third place went to Quwa (Power), also from the University of Sharjah, by a multidisciplinary student team comprised of by Hijar Rashid, Rawan Al Hadi, Jomana Amer, Jawriya Abdulrahman, Fatima Al Amri, Wafaa Amina Suleiman, Sayed Zoya Fatima, and Awrad Al Shehri. Fourth place was shared between Jomonity from the University of Sharjah, and developed by Masa Abu Dakken, Saba Abu Ghosh, Haya Ghanem, Asiya Qudora, and Diala Al Lababidi, and NeuroBalance from the University of Wollongong in Dubai, by Mohammed Hazeq.

In the school category, the general innovation track saw first place awarded to Environmental Bin with Automatic Message Alert by students from the School of Applied Technology-Al Ain, , by Fares Al Qatami Al Zaabi and Jaber Ahmed Al Ali, while second place went to Intelligent Navigation for All from the School of Applied Technology-Ras Al Khaimah, by Sultan Saif Al Saeedi and Abdullah Khalid Al Breiki. In the second school track, focused on innovative solutions for improving youth lifestyles, first place was claimed by Wellbeing Smart AI IoT from the School of Applied Technology-Umm Al Quwain, , by Sarah Jassim Al Sareedi, Reem Saeed Al Mazrouei, and Moza Al Qaydi, followed by Bawabat Alturath (Heritage Gates) from the School of Applied Technology-Ajman, by Anwaar Ibrahim Al Housani, Khawla Majed Al Matrooshi, and Huda Abdulrahim Al Ansari.

The forum opened with remarks by Prof. Nouar Tabet, speaking on behalf of the UoS Chancellor. He said the forum reflects the University of Sharjah’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and preparing a generation capable of turning challenges into sustainable development opportunities. He noted that this year’s edition stands out for its diverse tracks aligned with current priorities, empowering students to develop practical solutions that promote healthier lifestyles among young people while supporting ideas with the potential to evolve into impactful startups. Prof. Tabet added that the forum serves as a comprehensive platform for discovering creative talent and strengthening critical thinking and teamwork skills through collaboration with industry partners, including Sheraa. This ecosystem, he said, helps students move from concept to execution and enhances their readiness to contribute to a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy.

Walid Bukhater, speaking on behalf of the chamber’s chair, Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, said the award continues to strengthen its role as a national platform for creativity by refining its mechanisms and expanding its impact to support promising student projects. These efforts, he said, contribute to preparing a new generation of entrepreneurs aligned with the UAE Centennial 2071 goals and the development of a competitive, sustainable knowledge economy. He noted that the introduction of the track focused on improving youth lifestyles reflects a direct response to contemporary challenges, encouraging students to propose practical initiatives that support mental health and address negative behaviors linked to excessive digital attachment. He praised the collaboration with the University of Sharjah and commended the judging panels and supporting partners whose efforts ensured the success of this edition.

In a welcoming address, Prof. Ilhan Ozturk, Dean of the College of Business Administration, outlined the forum’s objectives and key themes, emphasizing that the award is designed to build the capacities and talents of school and university students across the UAE in innovation and entrepreneurship. He said the initiative promotes entrepreneurial thinking by enabling young people to tackle societal issues and develop practical, scalable solutions that can grow into sustainable ventures with real social impact.

The forum also hosted keynote discussions with Saeed Ghanem Al Suwaidi, chief executive of Ghanem Al Suwaidi Holding and a member of the College of Business Administration’s advisory council, and Jamal Moussa, chief executive of Digital Brand Builders. The sessions explored inspiration in the fields of innovation and entrepreneurship, the importance of confronting challenges that affect health, performance, and social media dependence, and offered practical advice for entrepreneurs seeking to create positive impact and long-term success within their communities.