AUS students’ car sharing app wins Hackathon 2023 held as part of TotalEnergies' Al Reyada Energy Seminar

American University of Sharjah (AUS) students were part of the winning team at the highly competitive Hackathon 2023, a highlight of Al Reyada Energy Seminar organized by TotalEnergies Foundation in the UAE, in partnership with Institut Français. The Career Services Unit at the AUS Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs played a crucial role in providing this opportunity to AUS students.

The Al Reyada Energy Seminar, held recently at Khalifa University Abu Dhabi, brought together students from renowned universities in the UAE, including American University of Sharjah, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, Khalifa University, United Arab Emirates University, Abu Dhabi 42, Zayed University and Mohammed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, providing a platform for students to engage in meaningful discussions and develop innovative solutions to address pressing environmental challenges.

AUS College of Engineering (CEN) students Habibelrahman Hassan and Faizan Multani were part of a team of seven students from participating universities who placed first in the youth hackathon on carbon footprint solutions. Their project, titled "Sustain-a-Ride," focused on developing a groundbreaking car-sharing application powered by an AI algorithm. The aim was to facilitate carpooling among AUS students, thereby reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and aligning with the AUS Climate Action Plan, as well as supporting the UAE government's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

In an impressive display of knowledge and dedication, the team presented their project to a distinguished panel of judges, highlighting the potential impact of their solution in reducing CO2 emissions. "Winning the hackathon at the Al Reyada Energy Seminar is a tremendous achievement for us. Our team's expertise and collaborative spirit played a crucial role in our success. AUS provided us with the necessary knowledge and skills to tackle such challenges, and we are grateful for the university's support," said Habibelrahman Hassan, a Master of Science in Civil Engineering student at AUS.

Faizan Multani, who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from AUS, emphasized the broader impact of their participation, stating: "The seminar and hackathon have enlightened us about the various ways university students can contribute significantly to reducing CO2 emissions and promoting a greener future. We are eager to leverage the knowledge and skills gained to inspire and engage our fellow students at AUS and beyond."

The winning team received a Rocketbook Fusion Executive Reusable Smart Notebook and will receive specialized training from experts at Climate Fresk, a French non-profit organization that aims to raise public awareness about climate change, that will equip them to serve as official facilitators in future awareness-raising workshops.

"The remarkable achievement of our AUS students, who emerged as winners in the Hackathon, demonstrates their remarkable talent and determination. Their success not only showcases their ability to develop innovative solutions but also underscores AUS' commitment to fostering sustainability and environmental awareness. We are proud of their accomplishments and their significant contribution to shaping a more sustainable future," said Dr. Fadi Aloul, Dean of the AUS College of Engineering.

AUS actively engages its students in sustainability endeavors, making it a strategic priority for the university. Regardless of their major, all AUS students have the opportunity to participate in various sustainability-related initiatives. AUS has been invited by the UAE Climate Envoy to COP28 to be a part of the Universities Climate Network (UCN), allowing representatives from AUS to contribute to key discussions on climate change. Through these endeavors, AUS empowers its students to actively engage in creating a brighter, greener future. To learn more about how AUS is making the most of this opportunity, please visit www.aus.edu/cop28.

To learn more about the AUS College of Engineering, please visit www.aus.edu/cen.