Latest news with #MAHEDubai
Web Release
26-06-2025
- Business
- Web Release
Manipal Academy of Higher Education Dubai students win Green Entrepreneurship Program for start-up tackling UAE's $3.5B food waste crisis
In a powerful display of youth-led climate action, students from the Manipal Environmental and Climate Society (MECS) at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Dubai were named champions at the Green Entrepreneurship Program, hosted by Ajman University at the Ajman Youth Hub. Their winning initiative, LoopBite, is a community-driven circular economy platform designed to address the UAE's mounting food waste challenge, where over 3.2 million tonnes of food are wasted annually, costing the economy nearly $3.5 billion. The platform enables households, farms, and businesses to turn food scraps into compost via smart waste collection systems, while incentivising behaviour change through a gamified rewards app. The team was awarded AED 5,000 as a prize and is now entering the incubation phase, where investors will be involved. Ajman University will guide them through this process, providing ongoing mentorship and technical support, alongside guidance from key industry stakeholders, as they scale their impact. The team has already established partnerships with key government bodies supporting the initiative. The start-up is co-founded by students and recent graduates from MAHE Dubai, Ajman University, and Abu Dhabi University, showcasing the strength of inter-university collaboration and a shared commitment to sustainability. The team brings together diverse expertise and entrepreneurial drive: Mohamed Nihmathullah, a student at the School of Design & Architecture at MAHE Dubai, leads as Co-Founder and CEO, shaping the project's vision and partnerships. Mohammed Abushaban from Ajman University serves as Co-Founder and COO, managing operations, logistics, and rollout. Syrin Alabrach, a graduate of Abu Dhabi University, is Co-Founder and Head of Communications & Finance, overseeing branding, engagement, and financials. Nazmi Nazar from the Manipal Academy of Liberal Arts at MAHE Dubai rounds out the team as Co-Founder and CIO, spearheading innovation and sustainability features. Dr. Bhakti More, Head of the Centre for ESG at MAHE Dubai, commented, 'This recognition is a proud moment for MAHE Dubai and a true reflection of our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and experiential learning. With 2025 declared as the Year of Community in the UAE, the LoopBite team represents the kind of entrepreneurial mindset and social responsibility we aim to cultivate through our ESG initiatives. Their solution shows how youth-led innovation can address real-world problems and create lasting community impact. This win also highlights the power of collaboration, when students come together across disciplines and institutions to co-create solutions, they don't just learn, they lead the change towards a more sustainable future.' Mohamed Nihmathullah, student of MAHE Dubai, Co-Founder and CEO of LoopBite, commented, 'LoopBite directly addresses one of the UAE's most pressing environmental challenges: food waste. It is estimated that 40% of household waste in the UAE is food, with 38% of prepared meals in Dubai going to waste daily, a figure that spikes to 60% during Ramadan. In response, the UAE has committed to halving food waste by 2030 as part of its broader Net Zero 2050 ambitions. Recent national efforts, such as the UAE Food Bank diverting 5,466 tonnes of food from landfills in 2024, reflect a growing momentum toward systemic change. At LoopBite, we're closing the loop on food waste — turning scraps into soil, and habits into impact. Sustainability isn't a trend; it's a cycle we're proud to lead.' This win further strengthens MAHE Dubai's position as a regional leader in sustainability, with its Centre for ESG embedding environmental, social, and governance principles across academics, research, and community outreach. A signatory of UNFCCC's 'Race to Zero' and member of the COP28 Universities Climate Network, MAHE Dubai continues to champion student-led innovation earning recognition from the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, the MAJRA Federal Platform, and CIBSE UAE for its real-world impact.
Web Release
12-06-2025
- Business
- Web Release
Manipal Academy of Higher Education Dubai's School of Engineering and IT signs Agreement with Vision Concept Aviation Training Institute to train future Aviation Engineers in Dubai
Manipal Academy of Higher Education Dubai's School of Engineering and IT signs Agreement with Vision Concept Aviation Training Institute to train future Aviation Engineers in Dubai Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Dubai has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vision Concept Aviation Training Institute (VCATI), a KHDA-approved and GCAA CAR147-certified aviation training provider, to introduce new industry-integrated learning opportunities for engineering students focused on aviation and avionics. Under this partnership, MAHE Dubai's School of Engineering and IT will host a fully equipped aviation and avionics laboratory on campus, providing students with access to real-world aircraft systems and simulation tools. In parallel, VCATI will offer month-long internships covering aircraft tool usage, maintenance practices, basic airframe and powerplant familiarization to prepare students for careers in one of the world's fastest-growing sectors. The global aviation industry is poised for robust growth primarily driven by the expansion of commercial fleets and increases in air travel, with the Middle East forecast to require over 235,000 new aviation personnel by 2043, including 68,000 pilots, 63,000 technicians, and 104,000 cabin crew, according to Boeing's 2024 Pilot and Technician Outlook. This partnership directly addresses the rising demand for industry-ready professionals by creating a pipeline of skilled talent equipped with both academic rigor and hands-on training. 'This partnership with Vision Concept Aviation Training Institute marks a significant milestone in our mission to deliver industry-relevant, experiential education,' said Dr. Sudhindra Shamanna, Academic President, MAHE Dubai. 'By integrating specialized aviation training into our engineering curriculum, we are offering students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on exposure to aircraft systems, tools, and safety protocols. This collaboration reflects our broader vision of bridging academic learning with practical application, ensuring that our graduates are not only well-versed in theory but also equipped with the technical competencies and confidence required to meet the demands of today's aviation industry.' Mahesh Choudhary, CEO of Vision Concept Aviation Training Institute, commented, 'At Vision Concept Aviation Training Institute, our mission has always been to prepare aspiring aviation professionals with the practical knowledge and industry-aligned skills that today's aerospace ecosystem demands. Our collaboration with MAHE Dubai is a natural extension of this mission. We are proud to work alongside a university that shares our passion for educational excellence and innovation. Together, we aim to create a training environment that merges academic learning with aviation industry standards.' As part of the agreement, Vision Concept will provide the new lab at MAHE Dubai with a comprehensive suite of aviation-grade equipment. This includes an aircraft hydraulic trainer, avionics systems test bench, aircraft landing gear trainer system, and an electrical wiring board with fault simulation. Students will also gain access to a piston and turbine engine cutaway model, digital multimeters and test kits, and a cockpit instrument panel mock-up. To support interactive learning, the lab will feature a computer-based training (CBT) software setup and calibrated tool cabinets, ensuring students are trained in an environment that closely mirrors real-world aircraft maintenance and avionics operations. The lab will be designed to align with Diploma-level aircraft maintenance engineering programs, exposing students to globally accepted safety standards and aviation technologies. Each year, around 15–20 students are expected to benefit from the internship program, which culminates in a certification titled 'Introduction to Aircraft Maintenance Engineering' from VCATI. The batch size per cohort will range from five to 18 students, ensuring personalized and hands-on learning. This MoU also paves the way for future collaborations such as faculty exchange, and student placement support, further strengthening the bridge between education and employment in the aviation sector. The partnership underscores MAHE Dubai's commitment to meaningful industry-academia collaboration, ensuring its graduates are not just degree-holders but industry contributors from day one.
