Latest news with #UnitedNationsSustainableDevelopmentGoal
The Star
4 days ago
- Science
- The Star
Real-world solutions earn nods at national-level hackathon
Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) continues to solidify its reputation as a leader in technological excellence and innovation. At the recent Varsity Hackathon (VHack) 2025, held on April 26 and hosted by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in Penang, two outstanding APU teams won top accolades, further cementing the varsity's position as a powerhouse in technology-driven education. The spotlight was on five-member 'Team The Try People' from APU's School of Engineering (SoE) and School of Computing (SoC), which secured the coveted first runner-up title. They received a cash prize of RM5,000 for their achievement in the national-level competition. The award-winning team comprised Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science (Cyber Security) students Chong Jinn Xiang, Chia Jing Liang, Bryan Low Zhern Yang and Evin Kor Kar Hei, as well as Kok Jia Yin, a student from the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Software Engineering programme. The team was guided by SoC lecturer Tan Li June and Assistant Prof Dr Lau Chee Yong from the SoE. Their innovative project envisions a holistic smart city management system designed to tackle key urban challenges, including waste management, traffic congestion, and flood and weather predictions. By integrating real-time data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI), the system enables efficient and proactive city operations – ranging from optimised waste collection routes and traffic flow adjustments to advanced alerts for inclement weather conditions. Team CheeseB: Amad (far left) with the winning trio of APU software engineering students behind DeNate. Importantly, the project is closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. It aims to contribute meaningfully to building inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable urban environments. The solution not only enhances public safety and infrastructure but also empowers urban planners with data-driven insights for long-term development strategies. In another standout performance, 'Team CheeseB' from APU made waves in the blockchain category, winning the Excellence Award for their cutting-edge solution, DeNate – short for 'Decentralised Donate'. Comprising three software engineering students – Thien Wei Jian, Ivan Wong Hong Zheng and John Paulose – the team impressed judges with their novel approach to reimagining charitable giving through blockchain technology. Mentored by SoC senior lecturer Amad Arshad, the team designed DeNate as a transparent, secure and user-engaging donation platform. The project features several pioneering components, including real-time donation tracking, milestone-based fund disbursements, T-based recognition for top donors, an AI-powered chatbot offering donation forecasts and interactive dashboards to encourage community engagement. By leveraging the power of decentralised systems, DeNate aims to restore trust and increase accountability in the donation ecosystem, ultimately bridging the gap between donors and charitable organisations. Interdisciplinary collaboration The students' double achievement reflects APU's deep commitment to cross-disciplinary collaboration and industry relevance. SoC head Assoc Prof Dr Tan Chin Ike praised the synergy between departments: 'These outstanding achievements exemplify what we can accomplish when different disciplines come together. 'The collaboration between our SoC and SoE has created a powerful ecosystem where technological innovation meets practical implementation.' He added, 'Our students have demonstrated not only technical prowess but also the ability to address real-world challenges through multidisciplinary approaches. 'This success reinforces our commitment to fostering an environment where cross-disciplinary collaboration thrives, preparing our graduates to become versatile problem-solvers ready to make meaningful contributions to society.' The recognition earned at VHack 2025 reflects APU's enduring mission to equip students with the skills, mindset and opportunities needed to thrive in an increasingly complex digital world. These accolades highlight not only the quality of education and mentorship provided by APU's academic staff, but also the forward-thinking spirit of its student innovators. As the university continues to nurture creativity, foster collaboration and champion sustainability, its students are proving to be well-equipped to take on the technological challenges of tomorrow – and to shape a better, smarter and more inclusive world.
Al Etihad
07-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE launches first National Food Loss, Waste Baseline Study
7 May 2025 17:27 ABU DHABI (WAM) ne'ma- the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative- has launched the country's first National Baseline Study to measure actual food loss and first-of-its-kind study, which involves 3,000 participants, marks a pivotal milestone in national efforts to halve food loss and waste by 2030, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3. The pioneering 18-month study will measure actual food loss and waste across the entire food value chain, through the participation of households, businesses, and public sector entities, across all seven Emirates. The study's findings will be unveiled by ne'ma during the first half of from the study will be used to establish national food loss and food waste indices and inform evidence-based intervention strategies. The study also lays the foundation for systemic change and strengthens national efforts to ensure food security and study is the result of a coordinated national effort, bringing together strategic partners including the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), Tadweer Group, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority (DECCA), and Aldar, with additional support from the local municipalities and authorities, the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC) and local statistics centres across the extensive preparation and stakeholder engagement since September 2024, the UAE Food Loss and Waste Baseline Study is now underway. Spanning 18 months, this nationwide effort invites the active participation of households and the private and public sectors to help identify where food loss and waste occur the most and why, so the right interventions can be designed to tackle the issue.A key milestone in this journey will take place during September 2025, in a focused two-week data collection field survey coupled with actual measurement of food waste at the household across all seven Emirates will take part in shaping a more sustainable future by contributing valuable insights & data on how food is lost and data gathered will be rigorously analysed to develop national food loss and waste indices, which will create a clear baseline that reflects where the UAE stands today so that we can monitor our food loss and waste reduction Sustainability Officer of Emirates Foundation and ne'ma Committee Secretary General, Khuloud Hassan Al Nuwais, said, 'Tackling food loss and waste requires national collaboration, and alignment to create a unified approach and methodology for measuring actual food waste across the supply chain. Through the UAE's first National Baseline Study, ne'ma is engaging public, private sector, and community members in building an accurate, data-driven picture of where and how food is lost or wasted. This will enable the UAE to track progress against reduction targets.''The evidence-based solutions will empower households and businesses to adopt best practices, support systemic solutions across the value chain, and drive the shift toward a more sustainable, circular economy. The Baseline Study supports the UAE in building capacity so that we can achieve the target of halving food loss and waste by 50 percent by 2030. We are thrilled to see the strong engagement and participation of the private and public sectors in the study,' Al Nuwais of the Office of Special Studies, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), Dr. Essam Sharaf Al Hashmi, affirmed that the launch of this study marks a key milestone in strengthening community awareness of the importance of reducing food loss and waste. He said, 'In line with its pivotal role in promoting food sustainability, ADAFSA is leading dedicated efforts to highlight the challenges of food loss and waste. In collaboration with ne'ma, we are uniting households, the private sector, and government entities to achieve a shared goal—protecting vital resources and ensuring a more sustainable and resilient future for all. This initiative reflects our strong commitment to raising awareness and engaging all stakeholders in addressing the environmental and economic challenges posed by food loss and waste.'Head of the Executive Team of the UAE Food Bank, Manal Obaid Yaroof, representing Dubai Municipality at the launch, said, 'Local leadership is essential to achieving national sustainability goals. Dubai Municipality is committed to driving change at the community level, and the UAE Food Loss and Waste Baseline Study provides the knowledge and tools needed to turn ambition into measurable action across all seven Emirates. This effort aligns with the municipality's efforts to enhance waste management, reduce landfill use, and build smarter, more sustainable cities that support the UAE's 2030 goals.'Abdulwahid Jumaa Freish, Executive Director of Communication and Awareness, Tadweer Group, said, 'Tadweer Group is proud to support ne'ma and the UAE Food Loss and Waste Baseline Study, which unites stakeholders across the food value chain to better understand the scale and impact of food loss and waste. This pioneering initiative complements our commitment to transforming waste into valuable resources and driving circular economy solutions. By leveraging the insights from this study, we can strengthen our strategies to divert organic waste from landfills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and unlock new opportunities for reuse, recovery, and resource efficiency across the nation."Group Executive Director of Sustainability and Community Outreach, Aldar Properties, Salwa Al Maflahi, said, 'Aldar recognises the importance of data to support meaningful action and change. Since 2023, we have been working closely with Tadweer and ne'ma to build infrastructure and solutions to tackle all forms of waste, including food waste, with a shared ambition to divert 90 percent of waste from landfills. Food waste is a complex challenge that requires long-term behavioural change, something Aldar and ne'ma are committed to addressing. By contributing to the UAE's Food Loss and Waste Baseline Study, we are helping generate critical insights that will empower communities across the UAE to take data-informed action and support the country in reaching its 2030 food loss and waste reduction targets.'The UAE Food Loss and Waste Baseline Study's final report will be shared nationally and internationally, contributing to global knowledge sharing on food loss and waste reduction. In doing so, the UAE reinforces its leadership in advancing the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and promoting sustainable food systems nationally and worldwide.
Observer
23-03-2025
- Business
- Observer
Takaful Oman clinch Ominvest Ramadhan football title
MUSCAT, MARCH 23 The highly anticipated Third Ominvest Ramadhan Football Championship, concluded successfully after two weeks of intense competition and memorable moments. Held under the esteemed auspices of Abdulaziz al Balushi, Group CEO of Ominvest, the tournament, which took place at the Military Technological College from March 2 to March 11, exemplified the Group's dedication to promoting sports and people well-being, active lifestyles and fostering a strong sense of unity. The final match delivered an unforgettable spectacle as Takaful Oman emerged victorious over Liva Insurance in a nail-biting penalty shootout (4-4 FT then 2-0 on penalties). The event was graced by the presence of Ominvest executives, CEOs from participating companies, and spectators supporting each team. Abdulaziz al Balushi, reflected on the championship's impact, stating: 'This event has been a truly exceptional experience, with participants displaying remarkable competitiveness and outstanding performances. The final match was particularly exciting, showcasing the dedication and teamwork of both finalists. We are proud that this championship has evolved beyond just a sporting event, becoming a platform for strengthening professional relationships and fostering a collaborative corporate culture within the Ominvest Group.' Waleed al Yaarubi, Chief People, Corporate Communication and Sustainability Officer, added, 'Beyond the excitement of the matches, this championship embodies our commitment to holistic well-being. By fostering a culture of health and active engagement, we are directly contributing to the achievement of the third United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) — ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. This initiative strengthens our social fabric and reinforces our dedication to creating a thriving and sustainable community." This year's edition saw an expansion with the inclusion of Bank Muscat for the first time, alongside the participation of Oman Arab Bank, Takaful Oman, Ubhar Capital, DreamLab Technologies, National Finance, Alizz Islamic Bank, Liva Insurance and Thawani. The Ominvest Ramadhan Football Championship continues to solidify its position as a cornerstone of the Group's corporate social responsibility and sustainability initiatives. Ominvest remains steadfast in its commitment to organising future editions, further cementing its role in promoting a healthy and vibrant community in Oman.
