Four American University of Sharjah (AUS) students won first prize at Dubai Startup Weekend held October 20−22. This intense 54-hour event focuses on creating a web or mobile application that eventually forms the beginning of a credible business.

The winning AUS team included Muhammed Al Shamsi, a junior majoring in finance; Layla Al Hawaj, a senior majoring in finance; Manal Al Mahmood, a senior majoring in multimedia design; and Zainab Al Ebrahim, a senior majoring in finance. Their project was entitled Golazo. The winning idea earned a prize of AED 25,000, full legal support, rent-free office space for a year, set-up costs and USD $2500 for training and mentoring with free advertising in a premium spot in Dubai for a month. In addition, the team that won third place included an AUS student, Thiago Mamede, a freshman majoring in economics, who worked with other members on a project called Hassle Free. In total, 30 AUS students took part.

Providing students an opportunity to take part in Dubai Startup Weekend is aligned with the Office of Student Affair's mission to inspire and educate students. Competitions as such are an effective method for students to learn from their peers and realize the importance of teamwork and networking with student leaders, experts and entrepreneurs in the field. We are proud of the results witnessed by AUS students and encourage them to continue to seek opportunities as such," said Dr. Moza Al Shehhi, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.

Dubai Startup Weekend gave me a glimpse of what the real world holds," said Banah Nassar, a senior majoring in marketing. "It was one of the most tiring 54 hours of my life yet the most exciting and fun at the same time. By the end of the weekend you start believing that you can make, not take a job," he added.

AUS is the educational partner of Startup Weekends, where developers, designers and startup enthusiasts, among others, come together to share ideas, form teams, build products, and launch startups.