Khalifa University holds Mobile Application Contest (MAC) in Abu Dhabi

Khalifa University today held the sixth annual Mobile Application Contest (MAC) in Abu Dhabi. This contest focuses on promoting an environment which fosters the creation of innovative mobile applications in the UAE and the Middle East, and provides participants with an opportunity to develop and demonstrate their mobile computing skills, the varsity said in a press release.

Participants in the competition submit culturally focused applications which are designed to run on mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets. MAC is open to all university and college students in the UAE and Middle East.

During the Contest, 32 students from 9 different universities across the UAE and the Middle East, displayed their projects to the contest judges, at the end of the contest four outstanding projects were selected. The first place winning project was “joyFit – BlackBerry social Fitness & Entertainment application” which was developed by Alexander Fuchs ,Ahmed Yassine Benmosbah and Jamal Al Bloushi from American University in Dubai. The second place winning project “PuLSE: Personalized uLearning Student Environment” was developed by Omran Al-Hammadi from Khalifa University, while the third place winning project “SAWACAE: Mobile Software Application for Water Consumption Awareness” was developed by Hussain Al-Bloushi and Mohammed Toubar from ALHOSN University and the fourth place winning project “iDrive: Mobile application to filter calls while driving” was developed by Hiba Abu-Seedo from Abu Dhabi University.

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice President of Khalifa University, commenting during MAC 2011, said: “I would like to congratulate the winning students in this year’s competition. The mobile applications showcased this year reflect the significant progress made by UAE university students, which in turn reveals the evolution of higher education in the UAE. We at Khalifa University strive to provide students with a nurturing environment for them to develop their creativity and knowledge. The competition stands as an important platform with its latest scientific developments and stimulating constructive spirit as it provides students with the basic skills for their future careers.”

He emphasized Khalifa University’s commitment towards the higher education sector in the UAE, which has become the regional center for technological research and innovation. In addition, we are dedicated to providing superior academic programs, advanced technologies and resources to create a knowledgeable and well-rounded generation that contributes to the Abu Dhabi 2030 vision in building a knowledge-based economy.”

TRA Director General Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim, in remarks at the ceremony said: “There is no doubt that the UAE plays a leading role in its region in the area of information and communication technology, and this is reflected in the progress we have achieved and we are achieving in the infrastructure of the ICT sector, which was reflected positively, for instance, in the performance of our mobile operators, who have witnessed a great expansion and improvement in the levels of telecommunications services they are providing in the country”.

Al Ghanim further stressed TRA’s interest in similar events which help develop a young generation capable of meeting the requirements of the current steady developments in the telecommunication and information technology sector.

CEO of the Khalifa Fund Dr. Ahmed Khalil Al-Mutawwa said the event provides an opportunity to support innovation and entrepreneurialism from an early stage. I am confident that the participating students will go on to become leaders in this field and will positively contribute to the advancement of mobile applications.”

The MAC 2011 was organized by the Computer Engineering Department at Khalifa University. The contest is sponsored by the Khalifa Fund, as well as the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, Nokia, Emirates Advanced Investments, and RIM.

Over the past few years MAC has witnessed the development of practical, creative applications some of which have been adopted by institutions as well as being marketed commercially.

Khalifa University was established in February 2007 by a decree issued by the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to complement Abu Dhabi’s 2030 vision, which aims at building a knowledge-based economy that effectively contributes to the development of the UAE.

© Khaleej Times