AMNA AL KETBI (DUBAI)
In a collaborative effort with Bayanat, Planet Labs, and the Thales Group, the UAE Space Agency unveiled the Space Hackathon, aimed at harnessing space technology to address global sustainability issues.
The hackathon, which covers multiple themes, invites researchers, entrepreneurs, and experts to develop innovative solutions using satellite imagery and artificial intelligence (AI). Key themes include disaster management related to floods, where participants will work on enhancing flood response and recovery efforts through real-time monitoring, damage assessment, and predictive analytics.
Other themes focus on alleviating losses and assessing damages from climate-related disasters, as well as improving air and water quality monitoring and prediction using geospatial data.
Additionally, the hackathon will spotlight mangrove tree mapping and monitoring, with participants utilising satellite data to map the extent and health of mangrove forests over time.
The event schedule includes three virtual training sessions in the first round, covering advanced training on analytical tools and providing access to satellite data at the end of August and early September. Teams will be required to submit their proposals by September 15, 2024, with qualifying teams announced on September 30, 2024.
The second round, beginning in early October, will feature in-person sessions. The first day will involve expert reviews, the second day will focus on data analysis and imaging, and the third day will see teams presenting their final proposals, with winners announced thereafter.
Participation is open to UAE citizens and residents, including university STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) students, researchers, satellite data processing experts, entrepreneurs, and startup owners. Winners will receive a financial grant of Dh50,000, technical guidance, and opportunities to host their applications on the gIQ platform (Geo-Spatial Analytics Platform) and promote their work at the COP (Conference of the Parties) Conference.
The Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) has funded the medical treatment of a seven-year-old Yemeni girl, Emarat Mohammed, who has been diagnosed with a cancer tumour in her leg.
The child recently underwent successful surgery at a specialised hospital in Egypt, where the tumour was removed. She is now recovering and receiving chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
The ERC responded after receiving an urgent plea from the girl’s family through their Yemen office. The organisation arranged for the child and her family to be flown to Egypt, where a UAE delegation met them and ensured they received the necessary medical care.