Dr. Hasan Almulla, President of University of Technology Bahrain (UTB) received in his office the winners in the Professional Inventor category of the International Virtual Expo of Innovation Product and System Design 2023 (INVIDE 2023) in Malaysia, in which two student projects from the College of Engineering ranked first and second among hundreds of engineering designs.

Bagging the gold medal is the “telebot”, short for telepresence robot. It is a remote-controlled robot that allows users to virtually interact with other people even in remote environments seamlessly like actual face to face encounters. According to the project creator, Adnan Hasmathulla, UTB mechatronics engineering alumnus, his project design was inspired by his daily travels from Saudi to UTB campus vice versa to attend classes and submit inquiries. His design, the telebot, can be useful in closing inquiries as it saves time and effort traveling.

Receiving the silver medal is the smart self-leveling walker, a device that uses sensors and actuators to maintain its balance while walking on uneven terrain. Although walker designs have been in development for years, the developers, Ali Jameel, Hesham Abdulla and Khalid Abduljalil – all UTB mechatronics engineering students, came up with an automated design to meet the rehabilitation goal of mobility, allowing users to safely walk through stairs and inclines.

These wins are an attestation of the collaborative support of the advisers and faculty of the college in support of UTB’s commitment to innovation and excellence in engineering designs, more so, development of solutions employing the latest technologies and trends.

Saudi Vice Minister for Universities, Research and Innovation, His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Ahmed bin Turki Al-Sudairy, received in the Saudi capital Riyadh the President of University of Technology Bahrain (UTB), Dr. Hasan bin Ali Almulla, and the accompanying delegation. The Saudi Vice Minister highlighted the importance of holding such meetings to enhance cooperation, exchange views and discuss aspirations that serve the interest of both parties.

Dr. Hasan Almulla, President of UTB, expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the Saudi Vice Minister of Education for the hospitality and organising the meeting as part of a series of meetings with officials of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which aim at enhancing the outcome of higher education institutions and further developing student services. Dr. Hasan Almulla briefed the meeting on the journey of establishing the university and its scientific and academic development, as well as existing and forthcoming international partnerships and alliances that have enhanced the output of the university.

Dr. Hasan Almulla presented a token of appreciation to His Excellency the Saudi Vice Minister of Education in recognition of the Saudi Ministry of Education sincere efforts in enhancing opportunities of cooperation to maximise student potentials. He also praised the efforts of the Saudi Ministry of Education and Ministry of Investment in further developing the higher education sector through enhancing strategic partnerships.

University of Technology Bahrain (UTB) and French École Hexagone University signed a memorandum of understanding in line with UTB’s commitment to provide the labour market with highly qualified information technology professionals who are on a par with those from the top-tier universities worldwide.

With the offering of the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology programme major in Networking and Cybersecurity, Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, and Applications Development at the beginning of the current academic year, the agreement will provide students with opportunities for academic collaborations in scientific and applied research, and student exchange in the field of information technology specifically in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

It is worth noting that French École Hexagone University attaches special importance to applied, vocational and technical training through its close relations with major information technology companies not only in France but worldwide, and this further inspires UTB to implement its comprehensive development plan for the budding vibrant identity of the university.

Both parties also discussed launching new academic programmes after obtaining required statutory approvals, especially the Higher Education Council. After all, the application of information technology systems is vast and is increasing day by day to fulfill the demands of technological innovations and digitalization of operations in all fields of work.

Also, during the meeting with the French École Hexagone University delegates, both parties discussed to offer joint academic programmes that focus on the actual practices in the local and global labour market, where students will obtain practical training in companies and institutions operating in the Kingdom of Bahrain, France and other countries that are closely associated with French École Hexagone University, and University of Technology Bahrain.