AUS student recognized among top winners at Dubai AI Campus and EU Delegation Water Innovation Challenge

The challenge was simple in words but complex in scope: how can artificial intelligence (AI) help secure water for the future? This was the focus of the Women Shaping AI for Water Ideathon, organized by the Dubai International Financial Centre in collaboration with the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to the UAE, which brought together young women innovators from across the country to design AI-driven solutions for global water challenges.

Among the proposals, the first-place award for best and most feasible solution went to AquaGrid, a project led by American University of Sharjah (AUS) computer engineering student Lynn Babakr in collaboration with three New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) students.

AquaGrid is an AI-powered water management system that connects IoT sensors to an intelligent database, allowing water to be classified, monitored and redirected with precision. Instead of requiring costly infrastructure replacement, the system enhances existing networks, offering a practical and cost-efficient approach to water scarcity that could save millions of dirhams while conserving critical resources.

“This was my very first competition at AUS, and to win it so early in my journey here means a lot,” said Babakr. “The idea came from my desire to work on something practical for the UAE, something that can really contribute to sustainability. Beyond the award, I’m grateful for the people I met and the experience that broadened my perspective.”

The collaborative nature of the project gave it strength. Babakr’s concept was enriched by the expertise of biology student Asma Khalil, computer science student Gunjan Chaudary, and graphic design student Aisha Doao from NYUAD. Together, the team shaped AquaGrid into a solution that was scientifically grounded, technologically advanced and persuasively presented.

“This project gave me new perspectives and introduced me to women who share the same determination to create change. I hope AquaGrid can move from idea to implementation and contribute to water sustainability in the region,” said Babakr.

The AUS Office of International Exchange (IXO) spearheaded the effort, bringing in students from the College of Engineering and College of Arts and Sciences, and had representatives on the ground throughout the event to support the participants.

“AquaGrid embodies the collaborative spirit and global engagement that define IXO at AUS. Seeing our students join peers from across the UAE under the Dubai AI Campus initiative, supported by the EU Delegation to the UAE, is deeply inspiring. It reflects how innovation thrives when bright minds connect across institutions and disciplines to design solutions that hold both local relevance and global impact,” said Noora Alsuwaidi, Director of IXO.

This achievement reflects the collaborative spirit of the AUS College of Engineering, where students are encouraged to confront pressing challenges with bold ideas and teamwork. It also embodies the wider ethos of AUS, which fosters an inclusive community that values creativity, responsibility and impact, preparing graduates to understand the challenges facing the UAE and beyond and to develop solutions with both local relevance and global reach.

Discover how the AUS College of Engineering fosters a community of innovators here.