Ajman University's biomedical engineering students have made headlines by clinching the Best Poster Award at Zayed University's prestigious International Student Research Competition 2026. This achievement underscores the rising talent in the United Arab Emirates' higher education landscape, where student-led innovation is bridging the gap between academia and real-world healthcare challenges.
The competition, hosted by Zayed University, one of the UAE's leading public institutions, drew submissions from across 10 countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Jordan, Latvia, and Morocco. Out of 166 total entries, 98 were accepted, with the poster abstracts category featuring 51 high-caliber submissions from which only five winners were selected. The event highlights Zayed University's commitment to fostering undergraduate and graduate research excellence on an international stage.
Spotlight on the Winning Project: NeuroX
The award-winning project, titled "NeuroX: A Hybrid EEG-EMG Digital Twin Framework for Upper Limb Rehabilitation," represents a cutting-edge approach to neurorehabilitation. Developed by a team from Ajman University's Department of Biomedical Engineering, NeuroX integrates electroencephalography (EEG, which records electrical activity in the brain) and electromyography (EMG, which measures muscle response or electrical activity in response to a nerve's stimulation) signals to create a digital twin—a virtual replica—of upper limb movements.
This non-invasive system detects a patient's movement intention through brain signals and tracks actual muscle execution in real time, providing interactive visual feedback to guide rehabilitation exercises. Traditional methods often overlook the brain-muscle communication loop, leading to less effective outcomes for patients recovering from strokes or spinal cord injuries. NeuroX addresses this by offering personalized, precise therapy that could extend to hospitals, clinics, and even home-based remote sessions.
In prototype testing on healthy participants, the EEG component achieved approximately 88% accuracy in detecting movement intent, while EMG reliably captured muscle activity. The framework's portability makes it ideal for underserved areas, aligning with global demands for accessible healthcare technologies.
The Talented Student Team and Mentors
The victorious team comprises Amna Muhammad Ashfaq, Aeashah Abdulmalek Alkubaisi, Nasima Mohammad Helal, Mahrah Ahmed Al Ghareeb, and Hana Mahmoud Abdelaal—all undergraduate students in biomedical engineering at Ajman University. Their collaborative effort showcases the power of multidisciplinary teamwork in tackling complex health issues.
Guiding the project were Prof. Kamran Arshad, Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, and Engr. Wessam Shehieb, Deputy Director of the Ajman University Innovation Center and an instructor in the College of Engineering and Information Technology. Prof. Arshad emphasized the project's potential to revolutionize rehabilitation, noting its real-world applicability. This win not only validates their hard work but also positions Ajman University as a hub for innovative biomedical research in the Gulf region.
Zayed University's Role in Nurturing Research Talent
Zayed University, established in 1998 by the founders of the UAE, has evolved into a key player in higher education, emphasizing research, innovation, and community impact. The International Student Research Competition (SRC) is a flagship event that annually attracts top talent from the region and beyond, promoting knowledge exchange and practical problem-solving.
In 2026, the SRC featured categories for abstracts and full papers alongside posters, encouraging diverse formats of scholarly communication. By hosting such events, ZU aligns with the UAE's National Research, Development, and Innovation Strategy, which aims to position the country as a global knowledge hub. Past editions have seen participation from prestigious institutions, fostering collaborations that extend beyond competitions.
Biomedical Engineering: A Booming Field in UAE Higher Education
Biomedical engineering (BME) in the UAE is experiencing rapid growth, driven by investments in healthcare infrastructure and a focus on technology-driven solutions. Universities like Khalifa University, UAE University, and Ajman University lead in BME programs, producing graduates equipped for roles in medical device development, tissue engineering, and AI-assisted diagnostics.
Recent trends include regenerative medicine, wearable health tech, and AI integration—mirroring NeuroX's hybrid signal processing. The UAE's healthcare sector, valued at over AED 100 billion, demands such innovations to address an aging population and chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular conditions, which affect over 20% of adults. BME research output from UAE universities has surged, with hundreds of patents filed in 2025-2026 alone.
Khalifa University's BME advancements exemplify this momentum, including cooperative education programs launching in Fall 2026 to bridge academia and industry.
From Classroom to Clinic: Career Impacts of Research Wins
Securing awards like Best Poster at SRC 2026 opens doors for students. Winners gain visibility among industry leaders, potential funding for prototypes, and enhanced resumes for graduate programs or jobs. In the UAE, where the healthcare job market is projected to grow 15% by 2030, BME graduates earn competitive salaries—AED 15,000-25,000 monthly for entry-level roles.
- Networking with peers from 10 countries builds international collaborations.
- Prototype validation attracts venture capital; NeuroX could partner with UAE health tech firms.
- Publications from such projects boost Scopus profiles, essential for PhD admissions.
Ajman University's emphasis on research incubators prepares students for this ecosystem, aligning with UAE's goal of 50% STEM graduates by 2031.
UAE's Push for Research Excellence in Higher Education
The UAE ranks among the top 20 globally for research impact, with universities publishing tens of thousands of Scopus papers annually. Initiatives like the Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund and UAEU's 2026 research projects in G6PD mutants for autism spectrum disorder highlight the focus on health sciences.
Competitions like SRC play a pivotal role, with UAE universities hosting over 50 such events yearly. Zayed University's SRC, now in its sixth year for applied computing tracks, complements broader efforts like the World Congress on Undergraduate Research (WorldCUR) set for 2027 in Dubai.
Challenges and Opportunities in Student-Led Biomedical Research
While successes like NeuroX inspire, challenges persist: limited clinical trial access, funding gaps for prototypes (addressed by UAE's AED 1 billion research budget), and ethical AI integration in health tech. Solutions include public-private partnerships, as seen in Khalifa University's co-op programs.
Opportunities abound with UAE's AI Strategy 2031, where BME intersects with MBZUAI's multimodal models. NeuroX's digital twin could evolve into VR/AR rehab apps, tapping into a market worth AED 5 billion regionally.
Stakeholder Perspectives: Faculty, Industry, and Policymakers
Prof. Arshad views the win as "a testament to Ajman students' ingenuity." Industry experts praise the project's practicality for UAE's Vision 2031 healthcare pillar. Policymakers highlight such events' role in talent retention—UAE aims to reverse brain drain by creating 100,000 research jobs by 2030.
UAE Vision 2031 overview emphasizes research as a national priority.
Future Outlook: Scaling Innovations from Competitions
NeuroX's trajectory—clinical trials, commercialization—mirrors past SRC successes commercialized in UAE health tech startups. With UAE's higher ed enrolment up 57,000 in 2026, expect more breakthroughs. ZU plans SRC 2027 with expanded tracks, signaling sustained momentum.
For aspiring researchers, these platforms offer actionable paths: join university incubators, seek grants via NRF UAE, and collaborate internationally.
Photo by Navy Medicine on Unsplash
This triumph at Zayed University's SRC 2026 not only celebrates Ajman students but reinforces the UAE's status as a higher education powerhouse. As biomedical engineering evolves, such student innovations promise transformative healthcare advancements, benefiting the region and beyond.
