Forty-eight UAE high school students participated in the virtual Ektashif Spring Camp, which ran from 28 March to 6 April 2022. Ektashif is a program organized by KU’s Outreach Office designed to teach high achieving students in grades 10, 11, and 12 programming languages so they can create games, apps, robots, and more.

This year’s cohort was a diverse mix of students from different backgrounds and nationalities. Thirty-six were UAE national students, while 12 were international students from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, India, Oman, Yemen, Sudan, Palestine, and Iraq.��

The two-week long program included programming workshops on C++ and MATLAB, as well as workshops on MBTI personalities, discussions on undergraduate major selections, courses on building critical thinking and grit, and much more.��

The students enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to gain important skills and knowledge in C++ and MATLAB, both powerful programming languages.

Coding will equip youth with the skills needed to excel in the world as it moves towards a more automated and digital future, and it is an integral part of Digital Literacy, or the ability to effectively and appropriately use technology. These skills are becoming increasingly important in the employment market, particularly in the high-growth industries of big data, blockchain, robotics and other tech sectors.

Layan Al Shaibani, a grade 11 American Curriculum student from ADNOC Schools, described the program as fulfilling. “I was able to achieve a deeper understanding of my passion, computer science, as well as better understand important life-related topics that will not only help me in college but also later in life.”

Rashid Arif Obaid Mohammed Alzaabi, a grade 11 ASP student from Humaid Bin Abdul Aziz Secondary Education School, had fun learning new programming skills and other soft skills. “I really enjoyed all the programming and self-improvement classes we took. Everyone was really nice, and I liked that we were organized into groups so we could socialize and learn the values of having a team that works together toward a shared goal. All the instructors were excellent and professional in giving us instructions and answering all our questions clearly. I would definitely recommend this program to others.”

Shiakha Khalid juma Albloushi, a grade 12 Elite student from Al Nuaimia School for Basic and Secondary Education, said that she was certain that she will use everything she learned in her future career.

Noora Abdulla Ali Alnaqbi, a grade 11 Elite student from Um Almumneen school, felt proud to be a part of the program and to be surrounded by her fellow participants. “This program was unforgettable and it was one of the best experiences I have ever had. I improved my communication skills since I had to socialize with my group members and participate in the lessons. I learned how to program using C++ and Matlab in a short period of time, which is actually difficult but because of the best teachers I had no difficulties. I will never forget this experience. I would like to sincerely thank the organizers and instructors.”

Erica Solomon
Senior Publication Specialist
12 April 2022

The post Top High School Students Learn Coding and More during Ektashif Spring Camp 2022 appeared first on Khalifa University.

Reward Workshop ‘CliftonStrengths Assessment’ Helps Winning YFEL Members to Dive Deep into Their Own Talents and Strengths

Khalifa University of Science and Technology today announced 10 members of Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) outreach program were honored at a special reward workshop for winning the 2021 YFEL Case Study Competition on ‘AI for Sustainable Farming’, conducted by the Emirates ICT Innovation Center (EBTIC).��

The 10 winning YFEL members included three UAE national students, one international student from Khalifa University, one young professional from Dubai Municipality, and five international members from Mexico, Colombia, the US, China, and Hong Kong.��

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University, said: “Our outreach programs and sustainability initiatives are designed to encourage wider participation by youth and professionals. We are grateful to BASF, partner of YFEL, for organizing CliftonStrengths, the reward workshop, and helping the YFEL winners to explore and augment their personal skills and talents. Also, EBTIC, one of our research centers, has played a commendable role in conducting this case study competition on machine intelligence in farming. We thank the partners and hope the 2021 YFEL members will continue with their progress in obtaining sustainable innovations as laid down by the UAE leadership.”��

The winners of YFEL Case Study Competition were evaluated by an elite panel of judges including Dr. Nawaf I. Almoosa, Director of EBTIC and Head of Smart Infrastructure Research; and Assistant Professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Khalifa University; Dr. Dymitr Ruta and Dr. Kin Danny Poon, Chief Researchers, EBTIC-Research.��

Dr. Ruta and Dr. Poon introduced the case study topic to the YFEL members, and engaged them in group discussions. The YFEL members were given six days after the initial introduction to find solutions and create innovative ideas. The winners were assessed by the judges for novelty, strength and robustness of the design, feasibility of the implementation plan and the analysis-backed efficiencies delivered to the farming industry. All indoor and outdoor solutions were accepted for evaluation, especially those energy-efficient sustainable solutions suitable for the arid climate in the Middle East.��

Industry studies indicate AI can provide farmers with real-time insights from their fields, allowing them to identify areas that need irrigation, fertilization, or pesticide treatment. Also, innovative farming practices like vertical agriculture may help increase food production while minimizing the use of resources.��

The 2021 YFEL Case Study Competition aimed to design a novel solution, system or process within a broad-minded smart farming domain that leverages technologies in artificial intelligence/machine learning/internet of things to provide significant measurable benefits compared to the equivalent currently used farming practices.��

BASF, world’s largest chemical company and YFEL program partner for over four years, organized the reward workshop ‘CliftonStrengths assessment’. CliftonStrengths, a web-based assessment of normal personality from the perspective of Positive Psychology, helps individuals to dive deep into their own talents and strengths. Developed expressly for the Internet, this tool helps explore what makes a person unique and the value this person can bring to a team or the workplace.��

EBTIC is a research and innovation center founded by Khalifa University, Etisalat and BT (British Telecom), and supported by the Telecommunication and UAE Digital Government Authority’s (TDRA) ICT Fund.��

Clarence Michael
English Editor Specialist
30 August 2021

The post BASF Honors 10 Winners of Khalifa University’s YFEL Case Study Competition on ‘AI for Sustainable Farming’ Organized by EBTIC appeared first on Khalifa University.

Ro’ya Program will Raise Awareness among Students about Taking Up Petroleum Engineering-Related Majors and Potential Careers in Oil and Gas ��

Khalifa University and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) have announced the launch of a two-year Ro’ya program for high school students to educate them on the UAE’s oil and gas sector. The program that aims to raise awareness among the students about undertaking Petroleum Engineering-related academic majors and potential careers in the oil and gas sector, kicked off this summer.��

The Ro’ya initiative underpins ADNOC’s corporate social responsibility efforts to invest in the education and development of the UAE’s students and enable them to contribute to the nation’s long-term economic growth. It also reflects the status of Khalifa University’s Petroleum Engineering Department, which is ranked 21st globally in the 2021 QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) World University Rankings by Subject.

Dr. Ahmed Al Shoaibi, Senior Vice-President, Academic and Student Services, Khalifa University, said: “We are glad to partner with ADNOC for the Ro’ya summer program that is designed to provide students with the right perspectives as they look forward to planning and choosing their future academic course. Khalifa University’s Petroleum Engineering program is ranked 24th globally, demonstrating the world-class quality of our faculty, cutting-edge laboratories, research centers, and state-of-the-art campus facilities that create the most advanced learning environment. We believe through the Ro’ya summer program, high school students will be able to dream their future and adopt the right approach that will help them materialize their vision.”��

Ghannam AlMazrouei, ADNOC Director, Group Human Capital Directorate, said: “ADNOC is committed to supporting the development of the next generation of skilled workforce across the UAE’s oil and gas value chain and so we are pleased to partner with Khalifa University on the Ro’ya program. The program will provide our students with unique insights into the latest technologies, processes, and expertise used in the industry and highlight the exciting opportunities that our dynamic sector offers to young talent. We will continue to invest in STEM-related educational programs and initiatives to empower and foster our youth and help them build successful careers, in line with the UAE Centennial 2071 vision.”��

The program will have two parts. The initial segment ran virtually from 11 July – 5 August 2021 and combined practical hands-on training, laboratory work, interactions with professional organizations, and project assignments related to the oil and gas industry, all virtually. In the second segment, Grade 11 students will have a one-week internship at Khalifa University that will include workshops and project presentations from December to January 2022, which will lead to another three-week program the following summer. Khalifa University faculty who are leading the program will remain in touch with the students over the entire period and support their projects.

The Outreach Department’s program for high school students from ADNOC Technical Institutes will involve Khalifa University’s Geoscience and Petroleum Engineering departments.

The first week of the initial segment of the program included virtual tours of ADNOC’s Panorama Digital Command Center and Thamama Center of Excellence, and presentations on geology from relative to absolute dating, as well as palaeontology, stratigraphy, correlation techniques, and isotopes. The week also covered scales in geology from small to large, microscopy, fieldwork, seismic reflection geophysics, and reservoir characterization. Participants learnt about the geology of the Middle East and worked together to build a geologic model of a field.��

The second week introduced students to oilfield services company Schlumberger, with tours of its Al Shamkhah Technical Learning Center in Abu Dhabi. The week also included visits to Khalifa University’s Reservoir Rock Properties Lab, Reservoir Fluids Properties Lab, Well Drilling and Drilling Fluids Lab, and the Petroleum Reservoir Simulation Lab.��

In the final week, participants received presentations from professional organizations such as the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), and Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG). Interactions with the alumni and current Khalifa University students were also part of the agenda during the week. Other events included sessions on ‘Lead with Ro’ya’ and a workshop on webpage development, as well as a visual interactive platform for exploration and production in the oil and gas industry.

Clarence Michael
English Editor Specialist
9 August 2021

The post Khalifa University and ADNOC to Organize Program to Educate High School Students on the UAE’s Oil and Gas Sector appeared first on Khalifa University.

Select Group of 30 Students to Present Coding Project Results on Conclusion of Program on 8 April

Khalifa University has launched the Ektashif Spring – School Coding Camp, a new initiative from the Khalifa University Outreach Office to run during the spring break. The online learning camp will start from 28 March for a select group of 31 UAE high school students.

It will cover topics in basic understanding and appreciation of various essential programming-language constructs, paradigms, evaluation criteria and language implementation issues.����

Participants will learn how to read and write code, develop cognitive skills, and learn a methodical and problem-solving technique by breaking down complex problems into units. They will also gain related skills such as logical thinking by selection and use of logical statements, as well as structural thinking by combining small units to find the outcome. Most importantly, they will realize the significance of perseverance and the mental strength to resolve any problem related to non-functioning of components.

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University, said: “The two-week Ektashif Spring – School Coding Camp aims to bring awareness to high school students on the importance of learning basic language skills that will help them develop refined analytic skills and clear, concise communication abilities. This camp is part of Khalifa University’s initiative to empower youth, not only through academic programs and research, but also through outreach programs such as Ektashif. We hope participants from high schools will take advantage of this opportunity to develop a problem-solving mindset, gain skills that make them well-versed in data structures and algorithms design, while learning multiple technologies and programming languages.”

The Ektashif Spring camp is inspired by UAE’s strategic goals. The UAE’s digital economy places significant importance to computer skills, demanding a fresh approach to education. Following the launch of programs such as the annual One Million Arab Coders initiative, coding has become a focus for the UAE. With software and computers impacting every part of life, it has become imperative for school students to learn about algorithms, ways to develop an app or understand the functioning of the internet.��

With 90% of jobs requiring digital skills, employability in the coming years depends on students being digitally literate, thus making the Ektashif Spring camp even more relevant for today’s students. At the end of the two-week Ektashif Spring – School Coding Camp, participants will present their coding project results. Certificates of completion will be awarded on 8 April.

Clarence Michael
English Editor Specialist
28 March 2021

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