UAE Team Wins ‘Most Inspirational’ Award at NASA Space Apps Challenge 2024

The NASA Space Apps Challenge 2024 has once again highlighted the UAE’s growing influence in global innovation, with the country’s team, INNOVISIONARIES, securing the “Most Inspirational Team” award. Competing against 93,000 participants from across the world, the UAE team stood out for its innovative and impactful project, cementing its place among the ten global winners of the prestigious challenge.

A Global Competition of Innovation

The NASA Space Apps Challenge is one of the world’s largest hackathons, where participants develop cutting-edge solutions to real-world problems using NASA’s open data. This year’s competition featured 10,000 projects from 163 countries, with only ten teams making it to the final winners' list. The UAE team emerged victorious after a rigorous selection process and intense competition with teams from across the globe.

The challenge was organized in partnership with Dubai University and technical partner SPACE.TAYAR, further strengthening the UAE’s position as a hub for scientific and technological advancements.

Sharjah’s Winning Contribution

Representing the UAE, the Sharjah-based team INNOVISIONARIES was the only team from the country to be honored at the event. Their winning project focused on developing an educational plan for high school students to integrate Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into scientific curricula. The plan included lessons on critical topics such as weather, geology, and soil health, making it a valuable tool for future environmental education.

As part of their recognition, the winning teams will be honored at a grand ceremony on June 4th at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, USA.

Leaders Applaud the Achievement

Dr. Issa Al Bastaki, President of Dubai University, emphasized the importance of such international competitions in fostering creativity and innovation. He highlighted the UAE’s commitment to scientific progress and its alignment with the nation’s strategy for technological development.

Additionally, Tareq Salah Al-Din, CEO of GIE, praised the NASA challenge for its role in promoting innovation across all age groups and driving the advancement of space technology. The UAE saw participation from 202 teams, with entries from Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman showcasing the country's strong presence in global science and technology competitions.

This achievement marks yet another milestone in the UAE’s journey toward becoming a leader in space exploration and technological innovation