AUS students claim top honors at National GIS and Remote Sensing Competition

Two students from American University of Sharjah’s (AUS) College of Engineering (CEN) took the top two places at the National Emirati Society of GIS and Remote Sensing (ESGRS) Challenge – Sustainability Edition. Their innovative projects, which combine advanced geographic information systems (GIS) with state-of-the-art technologies, demonstrate their creativity in addressing sustainability challenges.

Organized by ESGRS in collaboration with the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and the UAE Ministry of Education, the competition gathered university students passionate about GIS and remote sensing to showcase their skills in addressing real-world issues. By utilizing spatial data and cutting-edge technologies, participants developed innovative solutions with the potential to meaningfully impact humanity and the environment.

The awards were presented to the winners by Saeed AlMansoori, Director of the Remote Sensing Department at MBRSC, who praised their innovative use of GIS and remote sensing technologies to advance sustainability efforts.

Claiming first place, Habibelrahman Hassan, a master’s student in civil engineering, presented his project, “Smart Waste Management System for Optimizing Waste Collection.” Guided by Dr. Tarig Ali and Dr. Adil Al-Tamimi of the AUS Department of Civil Engineering, the project leverages spatial data and advanced algorithms to streamline waste collection routes in Dubai. For his achievement, Hassan received AED 10,000.

“This solution enhances efficiency by reducing operational costs, minimizing environmental impact and boosting recycling efforts across the emirate,” Hassan explained. 

The second-place award went to Siva Durga Adduri, a bachelor's student in computer science and engineering, for her project, “BREATHE: Baseline Remote-Sensing and Environmental Air Tracking for Health and Ecology.” Also mentored by Dr. Ali, Adduri’s AI-driven tool monitors real-time air quality and predicts pollution events using deep learning techniques. She was awarded AED 6,000 for her achievement. 

“BREATHE identifies air quality issues and provides actionable steps to mitigate pollution and protect public health,” she said.

This recognition continues a strong track record of AUS students excelling in high-profile competitions. In 2022, AUS students co-advised by Dr. Imran Zualkernan, Professor and Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at AUS, and Dr. Ali won first prize at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) GeoAI Challenge, while in 2023, they secured second place in the ESGRS Challenge.

“The outstanding performance of our students in this national competition highlights the exceptional quality of education provided by the AUS College of Engineering at the both undergraduate and graduate level. Our focus on GIS and remote sensing education continues to set a benchmark for excellence, earning recognition both nationally and internationally,” Dr. Ali said. 

Dr. Fadi Aloul, Dean of the AUS College of Engineering, emphasized the college’s commitment to fostering innovation.

“The AUS College of Engineering places strong emphasis on encouraging creativity and originality, actively promoting student participation in research initiatives, innovation projects, external conferences and competitions. The college's supportive environment and commitment to excellence have resulted in numerous accolades for students who have excelled in various competitions, enriching their university journey and preparing them for successful careers in engineering and technology,” he said.

To learn more about the AUS College of Engineering, visit www.aus.edu/cen.