The UAE’s push to establish itself as a regional hub for technology, science, and sustainability has been gradual but deliberate.

Under its technology transformation program, the country plans to roll out 1,000 projects by 2031, direct $3 billion into advanced technologies, and develop homegrown talent. The initiative also gives developers, entrepreneurs, and emerging companies room to test ideas and bring new projects to a global stage.

Sustainability has become a central pillar of the UAE’s agenda, shaped by the Green Agenda 2030 and the Net Zero 2050 Strategy. These efforts emphasize renewable energy and clean technologies, with projects like the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park standing out as key examples, alongside initiatives in sustainable urban development.

The country’s commitment is also gaining visibility on international platforms. At the James Dyson Awards, a global competition spanning 28 countries that challenges designers to create practical solutions for real-world problems, UAE innovators have begun to make their mark. The contest offers recognition and provides financial support, awarding $40,000 to the top winner and $6,700 to the runners-up.

NURTURING YOUNG TALENT

Dr. Eng. Suaad Al Shamsi, the UAE’s first female aircraft engineer, Vice President of Shehana, and a member of this year’s James Dyson Award judging panel, describes the country’s participation as a milestone for its growing innovation and design ecosystem. She points out that the award is one of the world’s most respected platforms, where young innovators are not only part of the global conversation but are contributing with bold, future-focused ideas.

“For the UAE, which has invested heavily in advanced technology, aviation, AI, and sustainability, this award is a platform that reinforces our role as a hub where creative ideas are nurtured,” Al Shamsi states. “It bridges local talent with global recognition, ensuring that our design ecosystem is also leading on the world stage.”

Having served on the jury for eight years, Al Shamsi says joining the judging panel again is “an honor and a responsibility.” The award’s focus on problem-solving and supporting young talent resonates deeply with her journey as the UAE’s first female aircraft engineer.

“I see my role as a continuation of my mission to inspire the next generation of innovators – especially young women, by showing them that their ideas can carry global influence.”

“Personally, it gives me the privilege of engaging directly with visionary minds and giving back by mentoring and amplifying voices that deserve to be heard far beyond our borders.”

FUELING UAE AMBITION

For Al Shamsi, the James Dyson Awards reflect more than national investment. They highlight the UAE’s ambition to ground innovation in people as much as in policy.

“It reflects that innovation is not only top-down, driven by national projects, but also bottom-up, driven by talented individuals who can develop design-led solutions to real-world problems.”

She adds that the UAE’s participation sends a powerful message to young Emiratis: engineering and design are not just career paths but platforms for global influence.

“It tells young Emiratis that their ideas can compete, inspire, and transform industries at an international level,” she states. “It is also a message of empowerment: that the world is watching and waiting for what they will create, and that global brands like Dyson will support them in pursuing engineering and design as fields of purpose, creativity, and leadership.”

Al Shamsi also highlights the impact on women, noting that visibility in such platforms can inspire more young Emirati women to see themselves as future leaders in engineering and design.

BUILDING ON IMPACT 

Showcasing ideas on global platforms is only part of the equation; turning them into real-world outcomes is just as important.

Al Shamsi says universities, incubators, and industry must collaborate to form a continuous bridge between ideas and implementation. Universities, she explains, should embed design thinking and practical engineering challenges into curricula to prepare students for competitions like the James Dyson Award. Incubators can provide mentorship, funding, and lab space to turn projects into businesses, while industry serves as the testing ground to scale innovations.

“Together, this ecosystem ensures that participation in awards is not the end goal but the first step towards long-term, sustainable transformation.”

She adds that the UAE can further enrich the global dialogue on design-led innovation by sharing its distinct perspective, which blends heritage with a futuristic outlook.

“The UAE’s emphasis on speed, agility, and visionary leadership offers lessons to other markets about how to rapidly scale innovation ecosystems,” she says.

At the same time, she points out that there is much to learn from more established markets, particularly in strengthening research pipelines, supporting startups through multiple growth stages, and embedding a culture of design across industries.

“This exchange of ideas enriches the global conversation and ensures that innovation remains inclusive and diverse.”

STANDOUT INNOVATION

This year’s UAE national winners developed the Disaster Relief Backup Volume-Based Ventilator (DRBVV), a low-cost, portable emergency ventilator created by five engineering students from three universities.

The team explains that the prototype was assembled with readily available components, a simple mechanical setup with 3D-printed housings, intended to demonstrate the principle of volume-based delivery.

“It was rough, but it worked. The version we submitted is far more refined: compact, safer, and designed with real-world usability in mind.”

The project has since evolved beyond the proof-of-concept stage to a system designed for deployment in disaster zones.

“Our next stage is making it truly market-ready using low-cost, widely available components, scalable manufacturing methods for rapid deployment, and even a DIY counterpart for faster access in emergencies.”

One of their biggest challenges was designing a gear system that could maximize the output of a low-cost motor.

“Our solution was a custom gear train that translated the motor’s limited power into smooth, controlled motion, enabling the entire system to be operated through a single adjustment knob. This balance between affordability and fine control became the foundation for later refinements.”

As the design evolved, they focused on ensuring reliability in low-resource environments.

“Our question became: how can we guarantee accuracy and patient safety in rugged, resource-limited environments? The answer was a robust feedback loop, built with low-cost sensors and carefully tuned control algorithms.”

The ventilator adapts dynamically to a patient’s breathing cycle while remaining simple, durable, and affordable.

“Winning the James Dyson Award UAE showed us that our approach, prioritizing resilience, affordability, and human impact, resonated beyond technical design. It proved that innovation from our region can set new standards for accessible healthcare technology.”

Looking ahead, the team envisions the ventilator transforming disaster response. Communities affected by earthquakes, floods, or conflicts can deploy rugged devices within hours, while hospitals in low-resource regions can access life-saving support without relying on costly imports. “Beyond emergencies, widespread adoption would also encourage a shift in medical technology design toward accessibility, affordability, and resilience.”

For the students, being named the UAE National Winners was both recognition and responsibility.

“By proving that vital equipment can be both low-cost and reliable, we hope to inspire future engineers to prioritize human impact over complexity, ensuring that life-saving technology is within reach for all.”