CUD celebrates student innovation, awarding the top prize to SafeSeat for revolutionizing public health and hygiene.
May 21st, 2024, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): A team of students from Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has won AED 10,000 as an incubation grant for an innovation that aims to protect public toilet users from harmful bacteria. The award was sponsored by Bin Owais Holdings and presented to the winning team as part of the university’s flagship annual initiative “CUD Innovation Showcase". The event, hosted by Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Entrepreneurship, Dr. Kiran Tangri, featured cutting-edge ideas, fostering a vibrant culture of creativity and entrepreneurship among students.
SafeSeat, developed by business students Romell Surti, Hanna Gajol, Ayesha Jumani, Rachelle Hombria, and Ziad Akiki, is a portable applicator containing biodegradable plastic seat covers designed to protect users from bacteria on public toilet seats. "Our product is a durable applicator with 50 biodegradable covers that dissolve upon flushing. It's sustainable, cost-effective, and reduces direct contact with bacteria," explained Hombria.
The team's project stood out for its practicality and environmental consciousness. Unlike traditional covers, SafeSeat features a hook for hygienic application and avoids chemicals that might cause allergies.
The showcase featured eight innovative projects presented to a panel of industry experts, including Dr. Hashem Salem, CEO of Bin Owais Holdings, and Mr. Jummah Buti Saeed Al Ghandi, Entrepreneur and CUD Alumus; Mr. Jacob Puthenparambil, Founder and CEO of Redhill; Mr. Ghazi Al Yaman, Managing Director of Bottle Flip; Dr. Samer Oukaili, Program Director at Escale Labs; and Ms. Sally Fathi, Digital Marketing Professional at Escale Labs.
Two other innovative projects were recognized for their impact-- Innomind, a virtual reality system designed to combat social anxiety, and ChowNow, a blind box delivery system aimed at reducing food waste, secured second and third places, respectively.
The Innovation Showcase was staged in the CUD Incubator, a dedicated hub for entrepreneurship and a nurturing ground for the next generation of leaders. CUD Vice-President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Dima Jamali, remarked, “We recognize that innovation is not just about creating new products or services; it's about transforming lives and shaping the future aligned with the 17 SDGs of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. By nurturing a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation, we empower our students to become architects of change, driving economic growth, and societal transformation. Our ultimate mission goes beyond mere academic pursuits; it is to grow and galvanize the employability of our students, not only in the UAE but across the region.”
Students appreciated the opportunity to bring their ideas to life and gain valuable insights from professionals. "Presenting SafeSeat was an incredible experience. We received feedback that will help us improve and potentially bring our product to market," said Romell Surti.
The event included a keynote speech by Dr. Hashem Salem and a motivational message from CUD alumnus Mr. Jummah Buti Saeed Al Ghandi, who urged students to take advantage of experiential learning opportunities, practice perseverance and resilience, and view setbacks as opportunities for growth and success.
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