Inaugural RAK Excellence Awards Celebrate UAE Universities' Rising Innovation Thrust, Attract 189 Submissions

AURAK-led national initiative honors creativity, research excellence, and next-gen innovators from 12 UAE universities.

The inaugural edition of the RAK Award for Excellence in University Research and Innovation (RAK Excellence Awards), organized by American University of Ras Al Khaima (AURAK) concluded successfully after attracting 189 submissions from 12 leading universities across the UAE, with 94 projects shortlisted for final evaluation, reflecting the nation’s growing commitment to innovation, interdisciplinary research, and academic excellence.

The RAK Excellence Awards 2026 spotlighted ingenious and innovative student-led projects that were rigorously evaluated, refined, and elevated through a transparent, merit-based, and impact-driven process. The Awards have been positioned as a dynamic national platform where ideas become solutions, research becomes impact, and innovation becomes a catalyst for sustainable growth.

Prof. Khalid Hussain, Provost, AURAK, said in his welcome speech: “AURAK is proud to launch the RAK Excellence Awards which celebrate innovation, creativity, research excellence, and the outstanding achievements of students and faculty members from universities and higher education institutions across the arena. This event represents a platform that encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, thinking, and the impactful solution aligned with national and global priorities.”

The top spot in the undergraduate projects across all themes through a national final competition was won by a team from Abu Dhabi University for its project ‘Amal: An AI-Assisted Emotional, Educational, Palliative Care and Clinical Support System for Pediatric Cancer and Oncology’, with UAE University (Sustainable Multi-waste) and AURAK (Repairs of wind turbine blades) emerging as the runners-up.

In the theme-wise undergrad segment, the winners were from UAE University (Sustainability, Economy and Environment); AURAK (Innovation and Technology); AURAK (Digital Transformation); Abu Dhabi University (Energy and Climate); Abu Dhabi University (Healthcare); and UAE University (Advanced Materials). In the theme-based postgrad segment, the winners were UAE University (Sustainability); UAE University (Innovation and Technology); Khalifa University (Digital Transformation); Khalifa University (Energy and Climate); Khalifa University (Healthcare) and Khalifa University (Advanced Materials).

Dr Sara Faiz, Department Chair/Associate Professor – Chemical Engineering, AURAK, said: “The RAK Excellence Award is more than a recognition platform, it’s an academy for innovation and the bridge between academic learning and social impact. These awards represent a platform where ideas transform beyond the classrooms, where all the things that we think about it in the classroom have been transformed into innovations. The response from the academic community has been excellent, as witnessed in the number of entries.”

The participating universities included Abu Dhabi University, American University of Sharjah, University of Sharjah, Fujairah University, NYU Abu Dhabi, Khalifa University, Umm Al Quwain University, United Arab Emirates University, Ajman University, University of Wollongong in Dubai, University of Stirling RAK Campus and AURAK.

Presented annually, the RAK Excellence Awards aim to establish a long-term national framework that connects students, faculty, universities, industry, and society within a collaborative ecosystem designed to advance research, innovation, leadership, and sustainable development across the UAE.