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UAE: After Fujairah floods, 22-year-old creates crisis system, wins Dh50,000 grant
From a competitive pool of 148 applications, ten outstanding youth-led projects have been selected to receive Dh50,000 grants, business licenses, and full support packages through the Changemakers Academy, a flagship programme by the Expo City Dubai Foundation.
The winning teams showcased innovative solutions ranging from AI-powered environmental monitoring to assistive technologies for people of determination, all aligned with the UAE's Year of Community and developed in partnership with the Community Development Authority (CDA).
The awardees will also benefit from expert mentorship, hands-on training, and access to collaborative workspaces within Expo City Dubai's vibrant innovation ecosystem. This holistic support aims to empower entrepreneurs to develop their ideas into scalable social enterprises that can create a lasting impact across the UAE.
Among the winners is Emirati innovator Saara Hassan Al Kaabi, who presented her project, the Smart Rainwater Management Emergency and Response System (SRMERS). Addressing the urgent challenge of sudden floods in the UAE, her solution leverages smart sensors, automated alerts, and a mobile application to detect flood risks in real time, warn residents, and store excess rainwater for future use, thereby mitigating human and material losses caused by outdated drainage infrastructure.
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The 22-year-old said, "Our idea was born from experiencing the 2022 Fujairah floods firsthand. We couldn't reach our homes or hospitals, and we saw how the lack of a smart system can cause serious harm. With SERMERS, we aim to build safer, smarter cities that protect lives and resources."
Another standout project is Vantage, developed by 19-year-old Indian Dev Tarunkumar Bhodia, a wearable assistive device designed to enhance spatial awareness for individuals with visual impairments. Combining LiDAR technology, computer vision, and haptic feedback in an affordable VR-style headset, Vantage provides real-time 360-degree obstacle detection, empowering users to navigate dynamic environments with greater confidence and independence.
Bhodia reflected, "Watching a visually impaired person struggle unnoticed in a crowded street inspired us to create Vantage. Technology should not only be convenient but also restore dignity and independence. Winning this award validates our commitment to making a meaningful social impact."
Joining these innovators is Abdullah AlSalmani, a 25-year-old Iraqi national born and raised in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, and a graduate of UAE University. Abdullah created the SatKit Program, an educational platform designed to teach students satellite development through hands-on learning. SatKit addresses challenges such as limited student access to advanced space technology, declining interest in STEM fields, and uncertainties in career paths. The program offers modular satellite kits, interactive workshops, and teacher training, empowering students to explore satellite engineering from basic concepts to full mission simulations.
AlSalmani said, "I struggled to choose a major in high school because I lacked early exposure. SatKit is my way to open doors for students to experience space technology firsthand. Being recognized by Expo City Dubai Foundation is an honor that motivates us to keep pushing boundaries."
Launched in February 2025, the Changemakers Academy is a flagship programme of the Expo City Dubai Foundation. It provides structured, hands-on training delivered in partnership with Lumi — an AI-powered learning platform — guiding participants through design-thinking exercises and entrepreneurial development.
This initiative exemplifies the power of cross-sector collaboration, bringing together government, academia, the private sector, and civil society with a unified purpose: to address a range of societal needs and build a more sustainable and inclusive future.
The Changemakers Academy is part of the Expo City Dubai Foundation, which aims to bridge the gap between people, ideas, and resources by actively supporting social enterprises and problem-solvers in finding, growing, and scaling innovative solutions to our most pressing challenges.
Together, these innovators represent the dynamic spirit of the UAE's youth, combining personal experience, technological expertise, and social consciousness to develop solutions with real-world impact. Their projects embody the Academy's mission to nurture creative problem-solving and drive social, environmental, and economic growth across the Emirates.
