AUD Wins Microsoft's UAE Imagine Cup 2017

School of Engineering Green Jam Team Heads to PAN MEA Semi-Finals

Dubai, April 19, 2017:  We have our winners! The School of Engineering at the American University in Dubai AUD is proud to announce its students Jamil El Helou, Abdulrahman Bin Haider and Mohamed Hassan, Green Jam team members, winning 1st Place at Microsoft’s UAE Imagine Cup 2017, and receiving a $15,000 cash prize and a place in the semi-finals in Beirut.

Their project “Dubai Recycling Initiative” aims to turn recycling into second-nature for citizens of the future, through a reward system that encourages users to recycle on a daily basis. By placing automated recycle stations at target areas, users can take their consumer recyclable materials to the recycle station, log in using their Emirates ID, and place their recyclable materials in the bin. The bin will sort the items into designated bins and reward points that can be used for simple tasks such as recharging mobile phones with credit, or topping up public transportation cards. “Encouraging recycling through reward points incentives is a feasible solution to a sustainable future for generations to come, we are excited to advance to the semi-finals and honored to represent the UAE, we will make you proud!” commented members of Green Jam, students of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department.   

"This is an opportunity to congratulate and acknowledge our students for their efforts developing projects of high caliber and winning in such a competitive environment," commented Dr. Hicham Elzabadani, Chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and supervisor of team Green Jam. "The School's mission to provide students with the knowledge needed for technical excellence in Engineering, while encouraging them to expand their creativity and innovation, is evident in such accomplishments," he added.

Dr. Alaa Ashmawy, Dean of the School of Engineering, also expressed his gratitude for the students and especially their supervisor; who dedicated time and effort, and ensured support as well as guidance throughout the process to provide students with the inspiration and tools to excel. He said: "Receiving notable recognition is a testament to AUD's faculty; their efforts and mentoring are essential to help propel the engineers of the future."

Imagine Cup has become a global phenomenon since its first tournament in 2003. The contest aims to promote collaboration and disciplined creativity through competition, as teams of students across the globe conceptualize and showcase their real-world solutions under scrutiny from industry experts. This year’s edition is sponsored by regional construction giant Emaar and the UAE Ministry of Education, as education partner. This year’s event has placed a strong emphasis on smart-city solutions, with teams submitting more than 100 projects under Emaar’s exclusive Smart City category, which is the highest number of submissions under a single category in the region since the competition began. More than 200 attendees were present at the UAE finals, including team supporters and VIPs. 

"If the students here today represent the youth, then the future of the generation is in good hands,” commented Veresh Sita, Chief Digital Officer for Emaar Properties, “Emaar’s support to Imagine Cup underlines our commitment to promote a culture of digital innovation in the UAE in line with the vision of our leadership. By promoting our youth through Imagine Cup, we are nurturing a new generation of talents, who can contribute to the nation through their creative and innovative ideas for smart cities,” he added.  

"We want the youth in the UAE to be an integral part in the diversification of this economy" added Mr. Samer Abu Ltaif, President of Microsoft Middle East and Africa after addressing attendees at the finals event and posing for selfies with the participating students. Michael Mansour, Chief Innovation Officer, Microsoft Gulf, said: “Investment in young talent is exceedingly important to Microsoft, and Imagine Cup is the ideal way to discover that talent. This competition encourages students across all STEM disciplines to collaborate, and learn how to turn their creativity into something real, as the UAE continues towards its Vision 2021. Economic growth and technological innovation go hand in hand, and our finalists and their peers are the people we will look to for that innovation in the years to come.”