Teams of students showcased their fully functional prototypes — cars capable of autonomous line following, obstacle detection, and Bluetooth-enabled control – during the project demonstration on the final day of Khalifa University’s Ektashif Summer 2025, in which the Computer and Information Engineering (CIE) Department hosted the Coding Track.
Students later received certificates of completion at a closing ceremony organized by the Outreach Department. The dynamic two-week engagement program from 14 – 24 July was designed to immerse high school students in STEM fields through hands-on learning, real-world projects, and university-style experiences.
A total of 61 talented students from grades 10, 11, and 12 participated in three parallel tracks – Coding in Arduino, Telecommunications and Artificial Intelligence, and Earth Science. The CIE-led Coding Track introduced participants to an interesting world of embedded systems and microcontroller programming, equipping them with essential technical skills while fostering teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving.
Delivered by Dr. Baker Mohammad (Chair, CIE), Engineer Suma Rao, and Engineer Ahmed Ali, the nine-day Coding Track took students from the fundamentals of Arduino programming to the assembly and control of their own Smart Line-Following Cars. Each day built on the previous, covering topics such as:
Beyond the technical training, the Coding Track emphasized critical thinking, leadership, and collaboration — skills essential for future success in engineering and technology. By providing early exposure to university-level labs, expert mentorship, and applied engineering challenges, the CIE Department reaffirmed its commitment to empowering the next generation of innovators.
