501 teams participated in the fourth edition of the Future Science Challenge from 12 Arab countries
Dubai, UAE, 28 February 2025: Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences hosted a virtual ceremony yesterday to announce the winners of the fourth edition of the Future Science Challenge, attended by a large number of senior officials, winning students, and parents.
The competition commenced on September 5 under the theme “Inspiring Positive Change in Society,” providing talented Arab students with a platform to showcase their skills in artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things.
The evaluation process was conducted by a jury panel comprising 17 university professors specializing in artificial intelligence and related engineering fields, along with experts and engineers in AI and IoT.
In his address at the event, H.E. Humaid Mohammed Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, stated: “As we conclude the fourth edition of the Future Science Challenge, I am honored to address you with a sense of pride. This competition has expanded its reach to include students from across the Arab world, thanks to the effective collaboration with ALECSO. This has given the competition a broader Arab dimension, reinforcing shared visions for preparing a generation capable of keeping pace with technological advancements and contributing to the building of the Arab future.”
H.E. Al Qatami added: “The fourth edition of the competition was more than just a contest; it emerged as a platform for creativity, a learning environment, and a bridge for scientific and cultural exchange. With over 500 teams and 1,278 students from various ministries, institutions, educational centers, and schools across the Arab world participating, this competition reflected the educational sector’s enthusiasm for unlocking creative potential and showcasing students’ technological awareness and innovative skills. The ideas and innovations presented by the winners in the Future Science Challenge inspire optimism for a bright Arab future filled with achievements.”
In conclusion, H.E. Al Qatami expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to all those who contributed to the success of the competition, including officials, supervisors, organizers, and jury members, whose dedication and efforts were instrumental in its execution. H.E. congratulated the winners and emphasized that the true victory lies in gaining knowledge and developing skills, which will remain valuable assets in their academic and professional journeys.
The organizers of the competition highlighted that the fourth edition achieved a remarkable milestone with the participation of 501 teams, comprising 1,278 students from 12 Arab countries and 17 institutions dedicated to supporting gifted students. These institutions included the Ministry of Education and several specialized centers across the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Syria, Yemen, Jordan, Palestine, and Morocco. Notable entities involved were the Hamdan Bin Rashid Center for Giftedness and Innovation, Emirates Science Club, Applied Technology High Schools, and Sharjah Youth in the UAE; the Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity in Kuwait; the Excellence and Creativity Authority in Syria; and Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in Egypt. Additionally, 57 local schools and centers participated, bringing the total number of educational institutions involved to 257 schools and centers, further reinforcing the competition’s role in fostering innovation and talent development across the Arab world.
The participants underwent a comprehensive training program designed for both supervisors and students, delivered in Arabic and English. The program featured presentations of innovative ideas and projects, highlighting programming, electronics, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and digital design. Additionally, a specialized session was held for students and supervisors to guide them on uploading their project files to the competition platform and to address their inquiries through virtual online sessions.
The Juniors Category of the Future Science Challenge saw remarkable talent, with Sportify from the UAE winning the Grand Champion title for their AI Posture Correction System, an advanced solution integrating artificial intelligence into sports routines to enhance posture and prevent injuries. The Best Designer award went to Better Together from Qatar for their Sanad Device, an AI and IoT-powered solution that optimizes the classification of donated clothing based on type, age group, and quality, ensuring fair and efficient distribution. Electro Maroc from Morocco claimed the Best Innovator award for their Smart Irrigation System, which utilizes sensors, meteorological data, and LoRa technology for precise and efficient irrigation. The Best Engineer title was awarded to Challenge Stars HFS from Oman for their project Limontech Alaina, a smart plant pot integrating AI and IoT to monitor environmental conditions and ensure optimal plant growth through automated care. Meanwhile, Moza Ambassadors from Qatar won Best Presenter for their RainRescue project, an intelligent IoT-based system designed to clear rainwater drainage blockages and provide real-time warnings to drivers, enhancing urban infrastructure safety.
In the Professionals Category, Ultrathermo from Jordan emerged as the Grand Champion for their Ultrathermo Wildfire Prevention Robot, a cutting-edge solution equipped with AI and advanced sensors to detect and extinguish wildfires early while alerting authorities to mitigate environmental damage. The Best Designer award was won by AI Pioneers from Qatar for their Smart Communication Badge, a device leveraging AI to facilitate interaction between individuals with hearing impairments and society through real-time translation between sign language and text or speech. Blue Waters from Egypt took the Best Innovator award for their Smart Marine Waste Robot, an AI and IoT-powered autonomous system designed to clean water bodies by detecting and collecting plastic waste. The Best Engineer award was shared between AI Pioneers from Qatar, recognized for their Smart Communication Badge, and Shinigamis from Syria, awarded for IoT Energy Guard, a smart home energy management system that integrates IoT and AI to optimize electricity consumption and enable remote control of household devices. The Best Presenter award was won by Al Batinah from Oman for their Baseera project, an assistive technology solution designed to empower individuals who are blind or deafblind through AI-powered navigation and communication tools.
The Judges’ Special Awards recognized exceptional projects that addressed critical societal and environmental issues. Ittihad 2024 from Oman received an award for their Safe Sewage Detection System, an IoT-based innovation that enhances public safety by monitoring and preventing accidents related to open sewage covers. Farsat STEM 4 from Saudi Arabia was honored for their ECO-MED Protector, a robotics-based system for medical waste classification and recycling, promoting sustainability in healthcare waste management. Smart Innovation from Bahrain was also awarded for their Hope Watch for Sickle Cell Patients, an AI and IoT-integrated wearable device that offers real-time health monitoring for sickle cell patients, improving their quality of life and reducing emergency hospital visits.
The Future Science Challenge continues to serve as a platform for young innovators across the Arab world, empowering them to leverage technology in solving real-world problems and fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and scientific excellence.
