At the recent Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions, Umm Al-Qura University made a remarkable impression by securing multiple awards for their groundbreaking inventions. The prestigious event took place from April 17 to April 21, 2024, and featured a Saudi pavilion representing 26 universities from the Kingdom.
The university’s innovative project ‘Concrete barrier producing electrical energy from air currents’, led by Dr. Raed Abdulrahman Shalwalah of the College of Engineering and Architecture, was honored with a silver medal. The invention showcases an ingenious way to harness energy from the air currents generated by traffic on public roads.
Additionally, the university’s inventive prowess was further highlighted by winning several bronze medals for a variety of creations. These included:
- A ‘Smart scoliosis spine brace’ designed by Dr. Ahmad Ali Basalah, which offers a sophisticated solution for individuals dealing with scoliosis.
- The ‘Non-contact sanitizer dispenser glove’ by Dr. Rami Al-Fatni, which promotes hygiene without the need for physical contact.
- Dr. Emad Felemban’s ‘Scheduling techniques for spatio-temporal environments’, an advanced method for managing complex scheduling scenarios.
- A ‘Smart eyewear to aid visually impaired and blind in communicating with deaf people’ created by Dr. Ghada Al-Fatni, which bridges communication gaps between differently-abled individuals.
- Lastly, the ‘Mobile sanitary device for individuals with special needs and the elderly with limited mobility’ by Dr. Budour Hamed Al-Sayegh, which enhances the quality of life for people with mobility challenges.
Dr. Fahad bin Ahmed Al-Zahrani, the Vice President for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research at the university, emphasized the significance of their participation in the exhibition. He mentioned that it aligns with their commitment to fostering a culture of research and innovation. This initiative also enables the sharing of expertise and collaborative efforts in research and development, paving the way for technology transfer, knowledge exchange, and contributions towards a knowledge-based economy and sustainable development goals.