Pioneering Student-Led AI Breakthroughs at Ajman University's Business Innovation Exhibition

Ajman University in the United Arab Emirates recently hosted its Business Innovation Exhibition 2026, organized by the university's Innovation Center as part of World Creativity and Innovation Day. This event highlighted the remarkable ingenuity of undergraduate students tackling pressing healthcare challenges through artificial intelligence. Among the standout projects were AI-powered tools designed to predict heart attacks and detect diabetic neuropathy early enough to prevent amputations, demonstrating how higher education institutions in the UAE are fostering the next generation of tech-savvy medical innovators.

The exhibition underscored Ajman University's commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, blending biomedical engineering, business administration, and data science. Students presented prototypes ready for real-world testing, emphasizing accessibility for underserved populations in the UAE. These initiatives align with the nation's vision to lead in AI-driven healthcare, where non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular conditions and diabetes pose significant public health burdens.

Pulse: Revolutionizing Heart Attack Risk Prediction

The Pulse mobile application emerged as a flagship project, developed by Nasima Helal, a biomedical engineering student, and Jon Zaccary Regala, studying business administration. This AI tool empowers users to assess their heart attack risk proactively by inputting everyday health metrics such as age, blood pressure, heart rate, cholesterol levels, and lifestyle factors like smoking and physical activity. Unlike traditional diagnostics that rely on symptoms appearing post-onset, Pulse uses machine learning algorithms to forecast risks before they manifest critically.

In prototype testing, Pulse achieved an impressive 98.3% accuracy, analyzing data patterns to generate personalized risk scores. Users receive actionable insights, such as recommendations for lifestyle changes or immediate medical consultations. Helal noted, 'Heart attacks are usually only diagnosed after symptoms appear, and there is a lack of timely medical intervention.' Regala added, 'Our goal is to cater to underserved populations and vulnerable groups, making healthcare delivery more accessible.' The duo plans collaborations with UAE healthcare providers to refine the model with local datasets.

This innovation addresses a vital need in the UAE, where ischaemic heart disease ranks as the leading cause of death, accounting for 25.3% of mortality. With rising cases among younger demographics due to sedentary lifestyles and dietary shifts, tools like Pulse could shift paradigms from reactive to preventive cardiology.

DiaSens: Early Detection to Avert Diabetic Amputations

Complementing Pulse, DiaSens—crafted by Mohammed Wattar and Ali Hasan—targets diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a silent complication affecting sensation in the extremities. Diabetes impacts 20.7% of UAE adults, with neuropathy prevalent in 39% of cases, often leading to unnoticed foot ulcers and subsequent infections requiring amputation in one in five affected patients.

DiaSens employs controlled vibrations, pressure, and frequency stimuli to quantify nerve function objectively, surpassing subjective 'yes/no' tests. In lab trials, it provided precise, repeatable measurements, enabling early intervention. Wattar explained, 'Neuropathy is often detected late, and small wounds can turn into ulcers and even lead to amputation.' Hasan emphasized, 'We control the exact frequency, pressure, and vibration intensity every time, making the test precise and measurable. Early detection can prevent ulcers and amputations, especially in hospitals, diabetic clinics, and screening camps.' Clinical trials are next, with potential deployment in UAE's extensive diabetes management networks.

By integrating AI with haptic feedback, DiaSens exemplifies how student projects can bridge gaps in diabetic foot care, where 60-70% of UAE diabetics develop some neuropathy, contributing to high amputation rates.

Ajman University's Robust AI Ecosystem

Ajman University, ranked sixth in the UAE and first nationally for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (top 51-100 globally), supports such innovations through its Artificial Intelligence Research Center (AIRC), established in 2020. AIRC fosters machine learning for medical image classification, patient scheduling, and EEG analysis, with student researchers contributing to publications on COVID-19 diagnostics and optimized healthcare models.

The Innovation Center (AUIC) has nurtured 115 startups, secured patents, and raised over AED 4.8 million in funding. Recent launches include a PhD in AI by world-top-ranked faculty and participation in EU's IDERHA healthcare AI consortium.Learn more about AIRC

Addressing UAE's Non-Communicable Disease Crisis

The UAE faces a diabetes epidemic, with 1.27 million cases among adults, projected to rise amid rapid urbanization. Cardiovascular risks are alarmingly high, with 99.8% of studied populations at 10-year CVD risk. Student tools like Pulse and DiaSens directly combat these, promoting early screening in primary care and community settings.

• Heart disease: 25.3% of deaths
• Diabetes: 20.7% adult prevalence
• Neuropathy leading to 20% amputation rate in foot ulcer cases

Integration into national programs could save lives and reduce healthcare costs, aligning with UAE's preventive medicine strategy.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration Fuels Success

Pulse's team exemplifies cross-disciplinary synergy: Helal's engineering expertise in algorithms paired with Regala's business acumen for commercialization. Similarly, DiaSens developers combined sensor tech with clinical insights. Ajman encourages such partnerships via hackathons, workshops, and industry mentorships.

This approach mirrors UAE universities' shift, with MBZUAI and Gulf Medical University launching AI-health programs.

Challenges and Pathways to Deployment

Prototypes face hurdles like larger-scale validation and regulatory approval from UAE's Ministry of Health. Data privacy under federal laws and integration with wearables like smartwatches are key. Yet, with 94% of UAE students using AI tools, the ecosystem is ripe.

Plans include clinical trials and partnerships, potentially scaling via Thumbay Healthcare network.Full Khaleej Times coverage

UAE Higher Education's AI Momentum

Ajman leads alongside UAEU's AI Agenda 2025-2031 and MoHESR's AI integration drive. Initiatives like AI SUAD Summit and MBZUAI hackathons propel student projects into national priorities.

By 2031, UAE aims for AI ubiquity in education and health, with universities producing talent for Vision 2031.

Student Perspectives: From Classroom to Lifesaving Tech

Participants credit Ajman's hands-on curriculum and AIRC mentorship. Helal: 'This project taught us AI's real impact.' Wattar envisions DiaSens in clinics nationwide. Their stories inspire peers, boosting enrollment in AI-health tracks.

Future Outlook: Transforming UAE Healthcare

These innovations signal a proactive future, potentially reducing UAE's 30% diabetes rate and CVD burden. As Ajman scales projects, expect app rollouts, policy integrations, and global exports, positioning UAE higher ed as AI-health pioneers.

Stakeholders urge sustained funding, ethical AI guidelines, and public-private ties for maximum impact.

Photo by aboodi vesakaran on Unsplash