Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Taking an innovative concept beyond the classroom and developing it to address pressing humanitarian challenges, four female students from Rabdan Academy have received international recognition for their AI-powered social impact project, which tackles poverty, food insecurity, and limited access to healthcare.
Hissa Hamed Mohammed Butti Al Hamed, a Business Continuity Management student; Amna Ali Mohammed Khalifa Al Dhaheri, a Homeland Security student; Shaikha Ali Ahmed Bin Amro, also a Homeland Security student; and Meena Saqer Salem Hamdan Al Mansoori, a student in Integrated Emergency Management, developed the “AI-Supported Mobile Community Care System” with the aim of bringing support directly to vulnerable communities instead of waiting for communities to seek it.
The project earned them the international recognition at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research headquarters in Geneva after winning the UNITAR–Ureka Award for Transformative AI-Driven Social Impact during an international programme that brought together 29 students from 14 countries.
The initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being.
Combining mobile outreach units with AI and predictive analysis, the initiative delivers healthcare, nutrition support, awareness campaigns, and real-time data collection directly to underserved communities, with a focus on early support, stronger community connections, and long-term resilience.
A Solution with Real-world Relevance
Speaking to Aletihad, Hissa, who is also the team leader, described receiving the UNITAR–Ureka Award as “an incredibly meaningful achievement” that validated the project’s international relevance and future potential.
“Winning the award showed us that our project is not just a classroom concept, but a solution with real-world relevance and future development potential,” she said, noting that the recognition encourages the team to continue refining the system through future partnerships and research opportunities.
Reaching Vulnerable Communities
Amna said that the “AI-Supported Mobile Community Care System” was designed to “move beyond traditional short-term humanitarian support” by creating a sustainable community access network that improves resilience, preparedness, and long-term development outcomes.
She said the project focuses on reaching vulnerable communities directly through mobile outreach units rather than requiring residents to travel long distances for healthcare or support services.
This is particularly in areas where healthcare centres, food assistance, and awareness programmes remain inaccessible.
“The system combines healthcare support, nutrition assistance, awareness campaigns, and community data collection into one integrated model,” she said, adding that the initiative aims to empower communities through “technology, accessibility, and informed decision-making.”
Amna noted that the mobile units provide healthcare screenings, nutritional guidance, food support, health education, as well as referrals to long-term services.
The system also helps identify vulnerable groups that may not appear in official systems, including low-income families, elderly individuals living alone, and communities with limited infrastructure, she said.
Amna added that AI strengthens in its core service delivery by identifying high-risk areas through community trends, health indicators, and population data, allowing organisations to prioritise support more effectively.
Another notable element of the initiative, she noted, is trust-building.
“Many vulnerable communities hesitate to seek support because they feel disconnected from institutions,” she said, explaining that consistent outreach helps create stronger long-term relationships and transforms emergency aid into a sustainable support network.
AI-driven Humanitarian Response
Shaikha said the project differs from traditional humanitarian models because it prioritises sustainability, accessibility, and proactive support rather than only emergency response.
She explained that the system continuously monitors early warning signs linked to health, poverty, and food insecurity before crises intensify.
“The use of AI also creates a stronger data-driven foundation, which improves efficiency and resource allocation,” she said.
She added that the project’s mobility removes geographical barriers by bringing services directly to underserved populations.
Global Cooperation
Meena explained that the project improves humanitarian response through mobile outreach, real-time data collection, and AI-supported analysis, significantly reducing the time needed to assess urgent community needs.
“Instead of manually reviewing large amounts of data, organisations can receive automated indicators and trend analysis that support faster operational decisions,” she said, adding that the system strengthens coordination between humanitarian actors, healthcare providers, and local authorities.
Regarding the participation in the international programme, Meena said working in a multicultural environment strengthened the team’s communication, leadership, and teamwork skills.
She added that the experience also reinforced the importance of global cooperation in achieving sustainable development goals.
“Winning the award made the experience even more meaningful because it showed that collaborative and purpose-driven ideas can create real impact on an international level,” she said, adding that representing the UAE globally reflected the country’s commitment to innovation and humanitarian cooperation.
For Hissa, the experience demonstrated how young people can contribute meaningfully to global challenges.
“Innovation is not only about advanced technology; it is about creating solutions that genuinely improve people’s lives.”
