As part of Middlesex University Dubai’s commitment to enhancing the student experience and encouraging growth, alongside the UAE’s national objectives for 2019, the ‘2019 BCS conference and Middlesex University Dubai Annual Student Research Conference’ was hosted at its Knowledge Park campus on 24th October. This was followed by the awards ceremony at Anantara Eastern Mangroves Hotel Abu Dhabi on 27th October 2019.
This year, the conversation revolved around themes of tolerance, sustainability, and women empowerment. The conference welcomed abstracts from students with a focus on discussing, supporting, or challenging contemporary theory and practice through research and technology. More than 50 students from universities across the region participated.
Dr Cody Paris (Deputy Director, Academic Planning & Research, Middlesex University Dubai) opened the first day of the conference with a discussion on the importance of student research. Eng. Adel Al Hashmi (Chairman, BCS Middle East), delivered the keynote speech, followed by parallel track sessions on student projects in oral, demo and poster presentations. The first day of the conference was closed by Dr Tenia Kyriazi (Deputy Director Academic Operations, Middlesex University Dubai), who announced the top projects in each category, selected by a panel of esteemed judges including industry experts and researchers.
The top three projects in each category were awarded at the ceremony in Abu Dhabi by Eng. Al Hashmi. Students in 1st place were rewarded with a cash prize of AED 3,000 along with the BCS trophy and certificate of achievement, and 2nd and 3rd place winners received BCS trophies and certificates.
Hanin Almahmoud from the University of South Carolina won 1st place in the postgraduate oral presentation category. Gihanka Malith Hapuarachchi won 2nd place, and Mahima Parnami won 3rd place in this category, both from Middlesex University Dubai.
Marco Kilada and Archana Raghavan from Middlesex University Dubai were jointly awarded 1st place in the undergraduate poster category, while Nikhil Suresh from Middlesex University Dubai took 2nd place, and Sibgatulla Sharieef and Shimna Shafeek from University of Bolton Ras Al Khaimah won 3rd place.
In the demo category, Muhammad Asad, Zaid Hassan, and Divya Syam won 1st place, followed by Danish Nihal in 2nd place, and Lavesh Bhatia and Reham Salman in 3rd place. All winners in this category are from Middlesex University Dubai.
“It was an honour to host the first day of the BCS conference at Middlesex University Dubai. It provided students across the region with an exceptional opportunity to develop their research skills and present their ideas around the conference themes,” said Dr Cedwyn Fernandes, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Director of Middlesex University Dubai.
“I would also like to congratulate the winners who showcased exceptional knowledge, skills and hard work, and I would like to wish all who participated all the best for their journey ahead,” he added.
“It was an honour to see how much talent the region holds. It was great to be a part of this journey and witness the excellent presentations by students who will be leading the future of the industry. I would also like to extend my wishes to Middlesex University Dubai for hosting the first day of the conference,” said Eng. Al Hashmi.
In addition to encouraging student research and discussion around the theme for the year, the conference also provided an opportunity for Middlesex University Dubai faculty and students, along with members of Dubai’s Information and Communications Technology community to network and discuss trends and activities occurring in the region’s dynamic ICT sector.
For more information about the conference, please visit www.mdx.ac.ae/bcis.
