AUS team wins top honors with AI travel assistant at SuiHub MENA–AUS 2025 Blockathon

A team of students from American University of Sharjah (AUS) has taken first place at the SuiHub MENA–AUS 2025 Blockathon, held in Dubai as part of the region’s premier tech gathering, Sui Basecamp. Their winning project, MEJE AI, reimagined the future of travel through a decentralized, AI-powered assistant and captured the imagination of judges and peers alike.

The AI blockathon, jointly organized by AUS and SuiHub MENA, centered around the theme AI for Decentralized Autonomy, challenging participants to develop intelligent, agent-based systems capable of operating independently within blockchain ecosystems. 

The six-member team—Adithya Krishna Kumar, Ankita Rejith, Farah Abudaqqa, Farida Sheasha, Iffrah Ali and Jash Rangwani—stood out among more than 150 students from top universities across the region, with support from ecosystem partners such as ByBit and Ghaf Labs. Their project, MEJE AI, uses GPT-4o and Sui smart contracts to create a seamless travel platform that automates itinerary planning, flight and accommodation bookings, visa applications and peer-to-peer transactions, without relying on centralized intermediaries.

“Winning the blockathon proved that bold ideas, powered by the right technology and purpose, can reshape the world,” said Abudaqqa. “Presenting our vision at Sui Basecamp Dubai wasn’t just a milestone, it marked the start of something far greater.”

What set MEJE AI apart was its clear concept and polished prototype. The team presented a basic version of the product that could one day allow travelers to plan and book entire trips through fully autonomous and reliable systems—an idea that feels especially timely in an era increasingly focused on privacy, personalization and user control.

To prepare for the challenge, participants attended a rigorous series of technical workshops led by global experts. Among the mentors were Dr. Kostas Chalkias, Co-founder of MystenLabs, and Dr. Imran Zualkernan, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at AUS.

“This competition provided an extraordinary opportunity for our students to apply emerging technologies to real-world problems,” said Dr. Zualkernan. “The success of MEJE AI reflects not just technical competence, but an ability to envision how decentralized systems can enhance everyday life. That’s the kind of impact we hope to inspire at AUS.”

“The excitement and creativity from students to build real-world applications at the blockathon were inspiring. We saw some great examples of how decentralized technology and AI can together be used to address a vast array of real-world problems. At MystenLabs, we’re proud to support the next generation of builders shaping the future of Web3, it is a core part of our purpose and vision", shared Dr. Chalkias.

Kristof Lukovich, CEO of SuiHub MENA, said: "Throughout the Blockathon, students demonstrated the potential of talent in the UAE. With the right support and mentorship, they can become highly skilled professionals who will help drive the region’s continued growth. Proficiency in blockchain and AI will empower them to thrive – whether as entrepreneurs, within the corporate sector, or in public service. As ecosystem builders, this is the type of impact we strive to deliver via our educational programs.”

The blockathon's success marks another milestone in AUS’ ongoing efforts to bridge academia with the demands of a fast-evolving tech industry. Through strategic partnerships and experiential learning opportunities, AUS continues to position its students at the forefront of innovation in the UAE and beyond. To learn more about AUS, visit www.aus.edu.