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Sharjah 24
28-02-2025
- Science
- Sharjah 24
UOS hosts Student Innovation Platform Forum: Innovating Future
The forum featured a range of scientific and cultural activities, including a lecture titled Innovation Fund, delivered by Dr. Nadia Farhat, Director of Marketing and Student Recruitment, and another on intellectual property and patent rights, presented by Dr. Mohammed Al-Hammiri, Head of the Technology Transfer Office at the University. Additionally, a panel discussion titled Innovation in the Digital Age: How Technology is Transforming Thinking and Creativity? brought together experts from different disciplines, including Dr. Nada Jamal from the College of Communication, Dr. Safia Al-Mazrouei from the College of Business Administration, and Dr. Nashwa Ahmed from the College of Law. The forum also featured interactive activity and competition booths, organized by the University of Sharjah's Young Women Leaders Club and the Student Entrepreneurship Club, along with a Dubai Customs' exhibition that focused on raising awareness of intellectual property rights. The event showcased 15 innovative projects and poster sessions presented by students from the colleges of engineering, computing and informatics, health sciences, and pharmacy. Among the featured projects from the College of Computing and Informatics was Heritage Quest, developed by students Yasmin Mohamed, Sana Awad, Renaad Ahmed, and Shamma Abdullah. Another prominent project, Medical Telepresence Robot, was presented by Salma Mohamed, Nada Koudi, and Mira Youssef. Additionally, AI-Powered Assistive Glasses for the Visually Impaired, designed by students Sulaf Ali, Rana Faisal, and Yasmin Ragaei, demonstrated the potential of utilizing Artificial Intelligence in accessibility solutions. Sara Mohamed introduced her project, Mobile-Based Charging Application (ElectroGo), while PsychCheck (Aqlan) was the innovative contribution of students Amina Al Ibrahim, Suad Ibrahim, and Zamzam Hamza. From the College of Sciences, Nouf Nabil presented her project on water treatment using ZnO-AgAu nanostars. Nourah Musbah introduced her study on the antimicrobial activity of the khansoor (caralluma) plant extract on different bacterial pathogens and candida albicans. Meanwhile, Aisha Issa and Nouf Nabil collaborated on A High-Sensitivity Detector for Environmental Applications. Engineering students also presented a range of pioneering projects. Al Yaziah Mutib, Malath Abdel Moneim, and Omaima Anwar showcased EcoMarine: Engineering Tomorrow's Aquaculture Landscape with Smart Solutions. Another team, consisting of Sarah Ghazwan, Aisha Ali, Lulwa Ammar, and Hajar Rashid, introduced an exciting project on hydrogen production from municipal solid waste with carbon sequestration technology. Meanwhile, Maitha Ahmed and Shaima Ahmed unveiled their promising and inspiring project, the Smart Glove-Twasul, a smart lens and communication glove for the visually impaired. Students from the College of Health Sciences also exhibited their groundbreaking innovative ideas. Hind Abdul Razzaq presented AI-Triage, an AI-powered sorting device, while Shamma Khalid introduced Awn, a project aimed at assisting individuals in need. Another significant contribution was Managing Comorbidities Through AI-Supported Multidisciplinary Care Models, developed by Shouq Sultan. In addition, students from the College of Pharmacy, including Jana Manahi, Nour Mohamed, and Moudhi Mohamed, held a poster session on Breezi: The Smart Inhaler, highlighting advancements in pharmaceutical technology. The forum provided a platform for students to display their ingenuity and research excellence, reinforcing the role of innovation in shaping the future across multiple disciplines.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Legislative committee softens budget blow to SD State Library, but concerns remain
From left: Sen. Ernie Otten, R-Tea; Rep. Mike Derby, R-Rapid City; and Sen. Mark Lapka, R-Leola, listen to a budgetary brief in Pierre on Jan. 14, 2025. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight) South Dakota's main legislative budget committee softened the proposed cuts to the State Library on Thursday at the Capitol in Pierre, but library advocates said the cuts still go too far. The Joint Committee on Appropriations endorsed House Bill 1041 in a 16-2 vote, with the two votes against it coming from Reps. Erik Muckey, D-Sioux Falls, and Scott Moore, R-Ipswich. The original proposal would have cut $1 million in state funds from the State Library, cut the state Department of Education's ability to seek $1.4 million in federal funding for the library and laid off a dozen employees. Former Gov. Kristi Noem proposed the budget cuts during her December budget address in response to lower-than-anticipated revenues and rising Medicaid costs. State Library budget cut would hamstring local libraries, opponents say The changes made Thursday would rescue most of the programs that were proposed to be cut, said South Dakota Department of Education Secretary Joseph Graves, including most databases, access to interlibrary loans and 'adequate personnel to provide for the training and the promotion of the summer reading programs.' The department's ability to seek $1.4 million in federal funding would also be reinstated to help 'make the difference' in cuts at the state level, Graves said. The actual budget cuts are not in HB 1041, since they're embedded in the state's general appropriations bill. The legislation dissolves the South Dakota State Library Board with plans to cut about $825,000 in the library's budget and three-and-a-half full time positions. The library would retain 'standard oversight' by the library director and the Education Department, Graves said. He told lawmakers earlier in the week the changes would cut four databases made available through the State Library to public libraries across the state, including Ancestry Library, Fold3, HeritageQuest and Swank. The library will be able to keep a total of 17 full time positions, said Rep. Terri Jorgenson, R-Rapid City. The library currently has 21 employees. Jorgenson, who worked on the changes with the state Department of Education, said the changes are a 'way for us to save our State Library.' Muckey said that statement is 'half true' in an interview with South Dakota Searchlight after the meeting. 'I simply just want the bill dead so we can restore all the funding back,' he said. South Dakota Searchlight's Joshua Haiar contributed to this report. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
