CEN connects senior design teams with industry through networking and matchmaking workshop

In the final year of college, the focus shifts from building for grades to building for impact. At American University of Sharjah (AUS), that shift took shape through the College of Engineering’s (CEN) Senior Design Networking and Matchmaking Workshop, which connected final-year students with industry partners to shape senior design projects that respond to UAE priorities and real challenges across key sectors.

The workshop convened more than 100 senior students and faculty supervisors in a dynamic, table-based format. Participating organizations hosted dedicated stations while student teams rotated through structured pitching and networking sessions. The aim was to connect teams with real problem areas early, align capstone projects with industry needs, and create pathways for mentorship, collaboration and future recruitment.

“This workshop moves student teams from broad ideas to well-defined challenges grounded in real context,” said Dr. Mehdi Ghommem, Associate Dean for Research, Innovation and Outreach at CEN and the event organizer. “When industry shares its problem areas directly with students, the projects become more relevant, more feasible and more impactful. It also strengthens the partnership between CEN and the UAE’s engineering community by creating a platform for mentorship and talent engagement.”

Fourteen organizations participated, representing a wide range of sectors and engineering priorities in the UAE: Ghaf Labs FZCO, HNW Research & Management Consultancy, Odoo, SKM Air Conditioning LLC, WakaTech, Nokia, Dubai Health, MEA-Comm, Hitachi Energy, Gulf Aircraft & Engineering Services (GAES) (FZE), Landmark Group, MAPEI Construction Chemicals LLC, Vista Automation Network LLC – Dubai and SoiLAB.

Industry partners used the sessions to share practical challenges, discuss expectations and explore how student innovation could translate into workable solutions. Ghaf Labs FZCO highlighted the value of engaging with students early in the project development stage.

“We were inspired by the creativity, dedication and passion demonstrated by the students. It was a pleasure to witness ideas take shape, meaningful connections form and collaboration fuel innovation. We also commend the faculty for their invaluable guidance and continued mentorship of these future leaders. Ghaf Labs FZCO is honored to support and be part of the students’ journey as they work toward shaping a more innovative future,” said Judith Marcos, Group Human Resources Manager at Ghaf Labs FZCO.

Students said the workshop offered valuable insight into how industry defines and prioritizes challenges.

 “Hearing directly from company representatives helped us better understand their problem areas and allowed us to meaningfully refine our project idea,” said Ayush Vinod Pillai, a computer science student.

The workshop builds on CEN’s senior design model, a cornerstone of the engineering curriculum at AUS. All undergraduate students at CEN complete a year-long senior design project in their final year, working in teams of three to four under faculty supervision. By encouraging students to tackle needs identified by industry and government stakeholders, these projects often generate solutions and ideas that support the UAE’s national goals through applied innovation, sustainability-minded engineering, improved services and infrastructure, and stronger links between education and workforce development.

In the previous academic year, 37 percent of the senior design projects were sponsored by leading companies and government organizations. Through continued industry engagement and early matchmaking opportunities, CEN aims to expand the number of projects grounded in real UAE challenges and guided by practitioners, while strengthening students’ readiness for professional practice.

Selected projects developed through this year’s cycle will be presented at the CEN Senior Design Project Competition in May 2026.

Engineering students seeking additional career guidance and industry exposure can also benefit from the CEN Career Hub, which offers one-on-one career advising, career development workshops, internship support and industry connections.

To learn more about the College of Engineering and student opportunities, click here.