22-02-2025
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.
