Al Ain University Secures Second Place Nationwide in Women Innovator Challenge 2026
- Posted on:Sep 29, 2026
Al Ain University (AAU) has added a new achievement to its record in innovation and scientific research after a team from the College of Engineering at the Al Ain Campus secured Second Place nationwide in the United Arab Emirates at the Women Innovator Challenge 2026, competing against 60 participating teams from across the country.
The winning project, titled “Water Security through Circularity – AquaSecure,” focuses on developing innovative and sustainable solutions in the field of water security by applying circular economy principles to enhance resource efficiency and support national efforts toward sustainability and water conservation.
The student team comprised Maya Aldakheel, Sahar Eljack, Maitha Al Ameri, and Ahmad Kamal, under the supervision of Prof. Mousa Bani Baker, Director of the Center for Energy, Water, and Sustainability at the College of Engineering, Al Ain University.
The results were announced during the final ceremony of the challenge, hosted by the American University of Sharjah (AUS), with the participation of student teams, researchers, and innovators from higher education institutions across the UAE.
Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Qutaiba Al-Debyan, Dean of the College of Engineering at Al Ain University, said:
“We are proud of this achievement, which reflects the advanced level our students have reached in innovation and applied research, as well as their ability to develop practical solutions to priority challenges, particularly water security and sustainability. This success also highlights the importance of integrating academic supervision, scientific research, and student engagement, an approach we continue to foster within the College of Engineering.”
He added that the College remains committed to supporting students’ participation in national and international competitions and initiatives that strengthen their research and innovation skills and enable them to transform academic knowledge into projects with real-world impact, in line with Al Ain University’s vision of preparing graduates who can contribute effectively to sustainable development.
This achievement reflects Al Ain University’s commitment to providing an academic and research environment that encourages innovation, supports initiatives connecting university education with societal needs and future challenges, and strengthens students’ presence in competitive innovation platforms at the national level.
