Sharjah’s drive towards innovation and research took center stage as Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah (UoS), reviewed key scientific projects at the university.
The meeting, attended by Professor Hamid Majoul Al Nuaimi, Chancellor of UoS, along with senior officials, highlighted significant advancements in climate management, health risk monitoring, and smart campus initiatives.
During the session, held in Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed’s office, an in-depth report on the “Sharjah Smart Center for Weather Risk Management and Climate Change” was presented. The center’s mission is to bolster research, empower institutions, and support strategic decision-making through specialized studies and solutions for climate-related challenges.
Hydological mapping:
A standout project involved creating hydrological maps for assessing flood runoff risks in Sharjah. Researchers at the university are integrating hydrological models and artificial intelligence to identify high-risk flood areas, aiming to strengthen the emirate’s disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts.
Another highlight was the development of an innovative smart sensing and early warning system for real-time flood monitoring. Complementing this, the center is advancing health risk management solutions powered by artificial intelligence. These projects utilize Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) models and deep learning to forecast disease outbreaks post-floods, enhancing medical resource allocation.
Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed also reviewed community initiatives spearheaded by the Sharjah Smart Center, such as the Mobile Healthcare Support Unit’s assistance to the elderly during heavy rainfall. The center’s comprehensive approach includes volunteer training programs, disaster response plans, and collaborative workshops with government agencies to boost flood readiness.
Adding to the university’s ambitious vision, Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed explored the “EDGE” project, aimed at creating a smart, AI-driven campus. This initiative aligns with UoS’s 2024-2030 strategic priorities, focusing on Emiratisation, digitisation, global outreach, and entrepreneurship.
The review underscored UoS’s role as a leader in research and innovation, reaffirming Sharjah’s commitment to addressing global and regional challenges through advanced science and technology.
