Latest news with #Eco-Metropolis
Khaleej Times
22-02-2025
- Science
- Khaleej Times
UWL RAK celebrates historic NASA Space Apps Challenge 2024 win
The University of West London (UWL) RAK branch campus recently celebrated the outstanding achievement of its BSc (Hons) Computer Science students, who made history by winning the 'Most Inspirational Project Award' at the 2024 NASA International Space Apps Challenge. Competing against 93,000 participants from 163 countries, the team's innovative project, 'Eco-Metropolis: Sustainable City Simulation', secured a prestigious global accolade. Eco-Metropolis is an interactive game designed to educate youth on sustainability, climate resilience, and smart city development. Through various levels tailored to different age groups, the game incorporates NASA datasets to provide a realistic and engaging platform for urban planning and resource management. The project aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, which focuses on creating sustainable, resilient cities. To honour this remarkable achievement, a felicitation ceremony was held on February 13 at DoubleTree by Hilton, Marjan Island, RAK. The event was graced by the esteemed presence of Dr Steve Reissig, executive director - RAK DOK, Dr William Ed Obryan, space affairs attaché, U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi, Zubair Ibrahim, co-chairman, UWL RAK, and Ahmed Rafi, co-chairman and CEO, UWL RAK. They were joined by delegates from Ras Al Khaimah Department of Knowledge, deans, deputy deans, delegates from UWL UK, school principals, UWL RAK faculty and staff, and proud parents, all of whom congratulated the winners and commended their exceptional innovation. Speaking at the event, the invited guests and dignitaries spoke about the importance of innovation and sustainability in education, highlighting the students' remarkable achievement as a milestone for UWL RAK. They emphasised how such accomplishments inspire future generations and strengthen the university's position as a hub for technological advancement. The UWL leaders expressed immense pride in the students' accomplishment, stating: "This achievement is a testament to the talent, dedication, and innovative spirit of our students. Winning this award on a global stage showcases UWL RAK's commitment to fostering future leaders in technology and sustainability." The winning team members, Rikzah Noorul Huda Khattal, Umamah Ali, Samira Rafiq Khan, and Shafeeqa Fathima Jahangir, were celebrated for their vision and dedication in transforming an idea into an internationally recognised project. UWL RAK continues to uphold its reputation as 'The Career University', empowering students with real-world experiences, industry-driven education, and a commitment to innovation.
Khaleej Times
30-01-2025
- Science
- Khaleej Times
University of West London RAK branch campus team wins prestigious award
A team of four final-year BSc (Hons) Computer Science students from the University of West London (UWL) RAK campus has made history by winning the Most Inspirational Project Award at the 2024 Nasa International Space Apps Challenge. Competing against 93,000 participants from 163 countries, the UAE team emerged victorious with their innovative project, 'Eco-Metropolis: Sustainable City Simulation' — marking the first-ever win of this esteemed award by a UAE team. The winning project, Eco-Metropolis, is an interactive city-building game designed to raise awareness among youth about sustainability, climate change, and smart city development. Featuring different levels tailored to various age groups, the game teaches players how to make informed decisions about urban planning, climate resilience, and resource management. By incorporating Nasa datasets, the game provides a realistic and engaging platform to educate players on these critical topics. The project aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, which focuses on building sustainable, resilient cities. The team, consisting of Rikzah Noorul Huda Khattal, Umamah Ali, Samira Rafiq Khan, and Shafeeqa Fathima Jahangir, combined their expertise in coding, game design, data analysis, and problem-solving to develop the educational game. They transformed an initial idea into a globally recognised project that addresses crucial environmental challenges. Shafeeqa discovered the Nasa Space Apps Challenge through LinkedIn, where a story about a previous participant inspired her to gather her friends. "When I came across the Nasa Space Apps Challenge on LinkedIn, I was inspired by a story of a woman from the UAE who had participated before. Even though her team didn't win, her experience stuck with me — it wasn't just about winning, but about using technology to tackle some of the world's biggest challenges. It made me wonder: What if we could do the same? That thought sparked the idea to bring my friends together. We weren't just looking for a win — we wanted to create solutions that could make a real difference," Shafeeqa said. The team credited their success to the invaluable mentorship of Mohamed Mahmoud and Bansan Thomas George, whose guidance helped refine their project, as well as support from NASA, the UAE Space Agency, and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre. The team also credited the entire faculty of UWL RAK for their encouragement. The team's achievement underscores the UAE's growing leadership in space innovation and environmental sustainability. This accomplishment highlights the UAE's commitment to fostering technology and innovation that tackles pressing environmental issues. The team's success brings global recognition to the UAE while reinforcing the country's dedication to advancing sustainability through groundbreaking solutions.
