Abu Dhabi University (ADU) is hosting the 11th annual Undergraduate Research and Innovation Competition (URIC), under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence. The competition is open to all undergraduate students and will happen on May 23, 2024, in a hybrid format. Registration deadline is March 11, 2024. UAE participants attend in person at ADU's Abu Dhabi Campus, while overseas participants can join virtually or on campus.
The goal of URIC is to encourage students to explore, improve work skills, and increase employability. It aims to boost creativity and lay the groundwork for the next generation of researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs, contributing to the UAE's knowledge-based economy and sustainable future.
URIC supports ADU's efforts to equip future generations in various fields, introducing five new categories this year, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, Aviation and Aerospace Engineering, E-Commerce and Digital Marketing, Law, and Nutritional and Food Sciences.
Professor Montasir Qasymeh, Associate Provost for Research, Innovation, and Academic Development at ADU, expressed excitement about hosting URIC, highlighting its role in nurturing creativity and critical thinking. The competition offers students a chance to explore creativity, innovation, and contribute to shaping the nation's future.
Winning teams in the innovation track receive expert mentoring, access to ADU’s incubation hub, and financial support, including a AED 10,000 prize. The innovation track focuses on ideas with potential for technology transfer, fostering an entrepreneurial spirit. Students can submit a pitch deck for expert review, assessing its commercial viability and potential for a successful business.
In the research track, students from the MENA region and beyond can submit proposals for review by subject matter experts. The total awards for the research track exceed AED 350,000, demonstrating ADU's commitment to supporting groundbreaking research. Monetary prizes will be awarded to the top three winners in each discipline, with first place receiving AED 5,000, second place AED 3,000, and third place AED 2,000.
