The Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Government Innovation and the Mohammed bin Rashid Fund for Innovation announce the winners of the “Innovation Pitch” challenges.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Government Innovation and the Mohammed bin Rashid Fund for Innovation announced the winners of the challenges of the sixth session of the Innovation Presentation Programme, which was organized in cooperation with the UAE University, in a special edition for university students in the UAE, and focused on one challenge, which is “renewable energy for a better life.”
The first place went to the “Ghaf” project from Khalifa University, which is a digital application that aims to encourage individuals and companies to adopt low-carbon lifestyles through a system of rewards and incentive points. The second place was won by the “Tire-Rideo” project from the Higher Colleges of Technology, which is an innovative solution to convert used car tires into smart roads capable of generating clean energy using piezoelectric materials, in line with the country’s trends in developing sustainable infrastructure in accordance with the “UAE 2050 Energy Strategy.”
The third place was achieved by the “Sustainable Exchange Platform between Students” project, from the UAE University, which is a smart platform that allows students to exchange items and supplies through an application that relies on artificial intelligence and a motivational points system, which contributes to reducing waste and promoting the culture of the circular economy on campus.
The “Oil Skimmer” project, from the Higher Colleges of Technology, won fourth place, which works through a smart system to recover oils leaked into the sea in safe and sustainable ways, with the aim of protecting the marine environment and reducing the damage of oil pollution.
Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Affairs, Hoda Al Hashemi, confirmed that the sixth session of the Innovation Promotions Program represented a new stage in the efforts of the UAE government to consolidate the role of youth and enable them to design innovative future solutions, thus contributing to ensuring a better quality of life for future generations, praising the distinguished level presented by the participants from various universities.
Huda Al Hashemi said that the sixth session witnessed the nomination of innovations and practical models that support the government’s directions in the field of clean and sustainable energy, and it reflected the government’s endeavor to support innovation as a work method to develop effective solutions to global challenges, which consolidates the UAE’s leadership in employing knowledge and innovation to create a better future for humanity.

Acting Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance for the Support Services Sector, and the Ministry’s representative at the Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund, Fatima Yousef Al Naqbi, said: “This program embodies the great potential that young people have in the country, and confirms the success of the UAE in establishing a stimulating environment for innovation and future thinking, which is consistent with the vision of the Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund to empower and nurture innovators in their entrepreneurial journey.”
She added: “These initiatives represent a practical model of the role of innovation as a main tool to advance comprehensive development, and embody the UAE’s vision of building a sustainable economy based on knowledge, innovation and cooperation. We congratulate the winners of this year’s challenge, which focused on developing renewable energy solutions, in line with national priorities to enhance competitiveness and future leadership.”
For his part, Director of the UAE University, Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Raisi, stressed that the Renewable Energy for a Better Life Challenge embodies the vision of the UAE University in empowering young people to innovate and actively participate in confronting global environmental challenges.
Ahmed Al-Raisi said: “Based on our belief that today’s students are tomorrow’s pioneers, this challenge represents a real platform to stimulate creativity and employ it in developing practical solutions that support the sustainability process in the UAE.”
The challenges of the sixth session attracted more than 100 innovative ideas and projects from various universities in the country, which included a wide and diverse range of innovative solutions in the field of renewable energy. The students who qualified for the final stage presented their innovative projects before a jury that included an elite group of experts and specialists from the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Government Innovation, the Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund, and the UAE University.
The sixth session was characterized by the highest value of financial support for projects since the launch of the program, as 4 projects had the opportunity to win a total of 200 thousand dirhams, in addition to the opportunity to join the accelerators program of the Mohammed bin Rashid Fund for Innovation. The financial value of the award was distributed: 80 thousand dirhams for first place, 60 thousand dirhams for second place, and 40 thousand dirhams for third place, while the value of the prize for the fourth place winner was 20 thousand. Dirham.
It is noteworthy that during its past sessions, the Innovation Presentations Initiative attracted more than 1,000 participants, and witnessed the organization of more than 100 presentations, during which the participants discussed a group of innovative solutions, while the finalists presented their projects before a jury of experts and specialists.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Government Innovation adopts a methodology based on three pillars that include: Innovation enablers by creating a knowledge base of trends, experts and information, and innovation missions based on embracing and implementing innovative initiatives in the UAE government, and innovation platforms that seek to provide innovative approaches to multiply government capabilities. The center’s work methodology is in line with the goals of the “We Are the Emirates 2031” vision, and reflects its endeavor to establish a supportive environment for innovation that stimulates the building of individuals’ capabilities, through an integrated innovation system, and to enhance the UAE’s leadership as a global center for innovation.