URIC 2024: ADU Empowers Global Student Innovation & Research

Photo : Abu Dhabi Media Office

Abu Dhabi University (ADU) recently held the 12th edition of the Undergraduate Research and Innovation Competition (URIC) at its main campus in Abu Dhabi. The event was organized under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence.

For the third year in a row, RTX (Raytheon Technologies) supported the event, showing the company’s strong support for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education in the UAE and beyond. The competition was held in a hybrid format, allowing students from across the world to participate either in person or online.

This year, the event received 650 research projects from nearly 1,300 students representing 105 universities across 14 countries. URIC is now the biggest undergraduate research platform in the Gulf and MENA region. Students showcased creative and impactful ideas in 27 fields such as engineering, business, law, health sciences, education, and more.

The projects covered many exciting topics including Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering, Cybersecurity, Fintech, E-commerce, Digital Marketing, and Renewable Energy. The variety of ideas showed just how talented and creative students from around the world are.

Professor Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University, said that URIC is helping to highlight the talents of young people and their ability to solve real-life problems. He said that ADU wants to encourage a culture where students are inspired to discover new things and make a difference in the world. He also thanked RTX for its continued support and praised the students, faculty, judges, and partners who made the event possible.

Professor Montasir Qasymeh, ADU’s Associate Provost for Research, Innovation, and Academic Development, shared that this year’s event included startup companies and attracted a lot of attention from government bodies, private companies, and investors. He said this experience gave students valuable practical knowledge and helped them grow professionally.

Fahad Al Mheiri, Managing Director of Raytheon Emirates (an RTX business), said they were proud to work with Abu Dhabi University for the third time. He said that by supporting URIC, they are helping the next generation of STEM leaders and contributing to the UAE’s goal of building a strong and smart economy.

This year, ADU also brought back the Innovation Track, a special category for UAE-based students who had strong business ideas. Three winning teams were selected to receive seed funding, mentorship from experts, and access to ADU’s business incubator to help turn their ideas into real businesses.

URIC, now in its 12th year, has become an important part of Abu Dhabi University’s mission to promote youth-led research and entrepreneurship. The competition supports the UAE’s vision to build a smart, creative, and sustainable future. In 2024 alone, URIC received around 600 research projects from 1,400 students from 78 universities across 16 countries. The event continues to grow each year and gives students a powerful platform to learn, share, and lead.