A team from Al-Najah National University in Palestine has won first place in the GITEX Technology Week Student Lab competition today, distinguishing themselves as some of the region’s brightest young ICT talents.
Mu’ath Lahlabat, Hussam Malhis and Ahmed Dewikat secured the top spot for their Android-based home automation application, and will receive a cheque for AED 30,000 to help translate their idea to reality.
In particular, the application is designed to give physically disabled people the ability to serve themselves with a single click. Using the mobile app, users can automate actions such as opening the garage door or turning on the lights, and receive data to help monitor and regulate home energy use.
Hussam Malhis, of the winning team, said: “By winning the Student Lab competition, we hope to find a sponsor that can help take our mobile app to the market, giving handicapped people in Palestine and around the world the freedom to serve themselves. At GITEX Technology Week, we’ve already gathered many ideas from visitors, such as adding GPS so that the home automation systems can turn on when users enter an area near the house. We want to tell the youth and next generation of mobile app developers in Palestine that no matter the situation, they can create and innovate out of nothing.”
Ali Payani from the UAE’s University of Wollongong earned second place, receiving AED 20,000 for an automated phishing detector. Hussam Mohsineh from the UAE’s Khalifa University took third place, and will receive AED 10,000 for a mobile app focused on connect and support users interested in undertaking voluntary work.
All prize funds were provided by GITEX Technology Week organisers Dubai World Trade Centre.
Sponsored by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs (MoPA) and held in association with Google as a part of its commitment to supporting education initiatives, the Student Lab aims to recognise and promote the brightest and most innovative ICT students from across the Middle East, Africa and South Asian region.
Judges narrowed down hundreds of entries to a shortlist of ten, which visitors to GITEX Technology Week could experience and interact with throughout the show. A final decision was based on 90% input from the judges, and 10% from GITEX Technology Week visitors.
The judging panel comprised Ahmed Al Hassani, Head of Networks and Systems Unit, Ministry of Presidential Affairs; Abdel Wahed Bendaoua, Head of Emerging Markets – EMEA, Google and Majid Farouck Hanna, General Manager, the UAE Society of Engineers. Their decision was based on an entry’s innovation and design, real-life impact and usability, as well as the solutions’ presentational quality and technical details.
H.E. Ahmed Mohammed Al Humairi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, sponsor of the Student Lab competition, said: “With R&D and technology innovation essential to the growth and competitiveness of the ICT sector, and some of the most successful ICT companies originating in universities, we are eager to extend our support to initiatives like the GITEX Technology Week Student Lab competition. Increased collaboration between industry, universities and governments can only spur innovation and R&D efforts for the UAE and the wider region.”
Abdel Wahed Bendaoua, Head of Enterprise, Emerging Markets – EMEA at Google, said: “Education is a big priority for Google, and we are excited to participate as a Student Labs partner at Gitex 2013.”
Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President at Dubai World Trade Centre, said: “The GITEX Technology Week Student Lab competition is all about recognising and promoting the brightest and most innovative ICT student across the Middle East, African and South East Asia region. Congratulations should go to everyone shortlisted today, as they all have extremely bright futures ahead of them, and their work has every chance of being able to make a positive difference in both the region and beyond.”
by Allendria on Oct 24, 2013 at 4:56 PMFuture of ICT celebrated at first ever GITEX Technology Week Student Lab competitionNew awards recognises and promotes the brightest and most innovative ICT students from across the Middle East, Africa and South Asian regionA team from Al-Najah National University in Palestine has won first place in the GITEX Technology Week Student Lab competition today, distinguishing themselves as some of the region’s brightest young ICT talents.Mu’ath Lahlabat, Hussam Malhis and Ahmed Dewikat secured the top spot for their Android-based home automation application, and will receive a cheque for AED 30,000 to help translate their idea to reality.In particular, the application is designed to give physically disabled people the ability to serve themselves with a single click. Using the mobile app, users can automate actions such as opening the garage door or turning on the lights, and receive data to help monitor and regulate home energy use.Hussam Malhis, of the winning team, said: “By winning the Student Lab competition, we hope to find a sponsor that can help take our mobile app to the market, giving handicapped people in Palestine and around the world the freedom to serve themselves. At GITEX Technology Week, we’ve already gathered many ideas from visitors, such as adding GPS so that the home automation systems can turn on when users enter an area near the house. We want to tell the youth and next generation of mobile app developers in Palestine that no matter the situation, they can create and innovate out of nothing.”Ali Payani from the UAE’s University of Wollongong earned second place, receiving AED 20,000 for an automated phishing detector. Hussam Mohsineh from the UAE’s Khalifa University took third place, and will receive AED 10,000 for a mobile app focused on connect and support users interested in undertaking voluntary work.All prize funds were provided by GITEX Technology Week organisers Dubai World Trade Centre.Sponsored by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs (MoPA) and held in association with Google as a part of its commitment to supporting education initiatives, the Student Lab aims to recognise and promote the brightest and most innovative ICT students from across the Middle East, Africa and South Asian region.Judges narrowed down hundreds of entries to a shortlist of ten, which visitors to GITEX Technology Week could experience and interact with throughout the show. A final decision was based on 90% input from the judges, and 10% from GITEX Technology Week visitors.The judging panel comprised Ahmed Al Hassani, Head of Networks and Systems Unit, Ministry of Presidential Affairs; Abdel Wahed Bendaoua, Head of Emerging Markets – EMEA, Google and Majid Farouck Hanna, General Manager, the UAE Society of Engineers. Their decision was based on an entry’s innovation and design, real-life impact and usability, as well as the solutions’ presentational quality and technical details.H.E. Ahmed Mohammed Al Humairi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, sponsor of the Student Lab competition, said: “With R&D and technology innovation essential to the growth and competitiveness of the ICT sector, and some of the most successful ICT companies originating in universities, we are eager to extend our support to initiatives like the GITEX Technology Week Student Lab competition. Increased collaboration between industry, universities and governments can only spur innovation and R&D efforts for the UAE and the wider region.”Abdel Wahed Bendaoua, Head of Enterprise, Emerging Markets – EMEA at Google, said: “Education is a big priority for Google, and we are excited to participate as a Student Labs partner at Gitex 2013.”Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President at Dubai World Trade Centre, said: “The GITEX Technology Week Student Lab competition is all about recognising and promoting the brightest and most innovative ICT student across the Middle East, African and South East Asia region. Congratulations should go to everyone shortlisted today, as they all have extremely bright futures ahead of them, and their work has every chance of being able to make a positive difference in both the region and beyond.”