UOWD Students Participate at the UAE Ministry of Economy’s Tourism TechGen Hackathon

Tuesday, 07 February, 2023

The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD)’s two students, Ameer Ali Khan and Alaa AlSabbagh, have participated in the UAE’s Ministry of Economy Tourism TechGen Hackathon where they were among 31 finalists from a total of 633 applicants.

The hackathon, hosted by Plug and Play Middle East and the Ministry of Economy, challenged participants to reimagine the future of tourism in the UAE over the next 50 years, with a focus on sustainability, visitor experiences, and talent attraction. The students worked in teams and received mentorship from industry experts throughout the event.

“This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that allowed us to practice our skills in the real world,” said Ameer Ali Khan, a Bachelor of Business Administration student at UOWD. “I am grateful for being selected out of 600+ applications from university students across the UAE; it was an exceptional experience.”

“I have enjoyed this event and gained great insight, knowledge, and experience from the mentors and partners in this great initiative,” added Alaa AlSabbagh, who is currently pursuing a major in Bachelor of Business Marketing at UOWD.

During the award ceremony on December 5^th, 2022, the students received awards from H.E. Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri, Cabinet Member and UAE Minister of Economy.

“This moment was truly a monumental experience, and I am grateful for it. Without the constant support of my professors and peers, we would not have achieved this,” said Ameer Ali Khan.

The exceptional achievement of these two students at the Tourism TechGen Hackathon is a testament to the University of Wollongong in Dubai’s (UOWD) steadfast commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and excellence among its students. UOWD is proud of its students’ accomplishments and congratulates them on their success in the hackathon.