Three innovative students from UAE have won a game-changing share of Dh120,000 ($32,664) at Gitex Technology Week 2017, in the final round of this year’s Student Lab Competition.

Sponsored by Accenture, the competition was designed to discover the most creative and innovative young people in the fields of engineering, technology, science, computing – the future lifeblood of these vital industries.

Open to students from across the UAE, the Gitex Student Lab Competition gave competitors the opportunity to present their ground-breaking ideas to leaders in the ICT industry, as well as representatives from universities across the region.

The first prize was clinched by Sarthak Sethi for his unique concept ‘ThumbFi: A Smart Biometric’, that uses fingerprint technology to enable people with disabilities to operate their devices.

He won the cash-prize of Dh50,000 ($13,610) in addition to an all-expenses paid trip to witness the launch of the satellite AL Yah 3 in French Guinea. Sethi was also awarded an internship with Accenture to further his passion for developing innovative technology solutions.  

Commenting on his win, Sethi said: “Winning the Student Labs competition feels fantastic. I look forward to the future when I will be able to bring my idea to life and ThumbFi can help millions of disabled people all around the world.”

The second-place winner was an all-women team comprising Nouf Fadel Alsaedi, Fatima Hareb Alneyadi, Mouza Nasser Alahbabi, which took home a cash prize of Dh40,000 ($10,888) for its ‘Robotics Hand as an assistive device.’

The third prize of Dh30,000 ($8,166) was snapped up by Fatima Ahmad Al Shaali for her iOS game, Silent Fairy.

The annual competition was sponsored by Accenture, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority and Yahsat Smart Satellite Solutions. Judges narrowed down the 24 shortlisted student projects (from 200 overall entries) to an elite top three.

“Once again, we have been overwhelmed by the level of talent displayed by all entries to Gitex Student Lab, and would like to congratulate everyone who took part,” remarked Omar Boulos, the regional managing director for Accenture in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey.

"The continuous evolution of the Digital Economy means that it is essential for large companies to empower their workforce to learn new skills and embrace emerging technologies. It is also important that companies themselves embrace disruption and are open to implementing new and ground-breaking ideas," stated Boulos.

"The students who entered Gitex Student Lab this year are the future, and their ideas will change the very way we do business," he added.

Trixie LohMirmand, the senior VP for Exhibitions & Events Management, Dubai World Trade Centre said: "Youth-focused progammes such as Gitex Student Lab are an essential way of encouraging and nurturing the next generation of tech talent. Gitex and Gitex Future Stars showcase the very best in disruptive, innovative and emerging technologies from around the world."

"These are industries than never stand still, and rely on constant imagination and entrepreneurship. The youth of today are the future of these industries and Gitex is proud to encourage and inspire innovation amongst our young people," she added.-TradeArabia News Service