NYUAD 2023 Hackathon

Watch the 2023 wrap up video

The 11th annual NYUAD International Hackathon for Social Good which focused on one of the most promising technologies of our time, Quantum Computing (QC) and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event was organised by NYUAD Engineering and Tamkeen held from April 28 – April 30, 2023.

NYUAD is also excited about the establishment of the NYUAD Center for Quantum and Topological Systems. We are hopeful that this Hackathon will provide opportunities for Quantum Computing networking, and future research and project collaborations with the NYUAD Center for Quantum and Topological Systems.

Teams Sponsors Gallery Students Mentors Judges

It’s allowed me to learn things that I would not normally do. Before this, I worked on quantum hardware but I didn’t know the applications. It’s fun!
Candice Kang

This hackathon has been an amazing opportunity to work with international teams and learn from one another
Sohum Thakkar

"The inspirational innovation from diverse cultures and perspectives around the world continues to fuel creativity and push boundaries to use the present for a better future."
Yaffa Jaradat

التيار الذكي / Smart Current Team 5

Focus on Affordable & Clean Energy

Quantum topology and neural networks for blackout response

Students

Elias Xaver Huber Yenching Scholar, Peking University,

Omar Reyad Al-Khazali American University of Sharjah,

Candice Kang University of California at Berkeley,

Haya Fuad Ajman University,

Allen Baranov Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT),

Yaffa Jaradat Palestine Polytechnic University, Palestine,

Henok Daniel Kahsay Khalifa University of Science and Technology,

Mentors

Stephen Lang Co-Founder/CDO at Uni Creative Inc, Japan ,

Sohum Thakkar Quantum Software Engineer, QC Ware Corp, United States ,

Kannan Vijayadharan PhD Student, University of Padova, Italy,

This hackathon was a learning roller-coaster where we worked for long hours and interacted with multiple people from around the world. It was a great experience working with three awesome mentors while learning from them and their experiences.
Lakshika Rathi

The NYUAD hackathon gives me an opportunity to say that i’m very lucky to learn with such a diverse group of intellectually curious students.
Victory Omole

قطرة / Qatrah (Droplet) Team 8

Focus on Clean Water & Sanitation and Industry innovation & infrastructure

Using quantum computing to design a more precise, environmental friendly and robust water distribution network.

Students

Mst Airin Haque Anika New York University Abu Dhabi,

Mohamed Amine Garrach ENET'Com (National School of Electronics and Telecommunications of Sfax),

Ghadeer Sawalha Khalifa University of Science and Technology,

Anas Mohammad Applied Science Private University,

Selin Doğa Orhan Izmir University Of Economics,

Yaser Alesh University of Sharjah,

Sanjana Nambiar New York University Abu Dhabi,

Lakshika Rathi Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi,

Basant Abdelaal The American University in Cairo,

Mentors

Fouad Afiouni CQTS, NYU Abu Dhabi, UAE,

Victory Omole Senior Software Engineer, Infleqtion, United States ,

Akash Kant Quantum Cloud Architect, qBraid, United States,

El Amine Cherrat Quantum Scientist, QC Ware, France,

Quantum computing: the future is now.
Abbas Hassasfar

The quantum future is all about the friends and memories we make along the way.
Utkarsh Azad

فكرة / feeQra Team 1

Focus on Good Health & Wellbeing

We helps medical professionals with early detection of malignant tumors in patients using quantum machine learning.

Students

Elena Acinapura ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich),

Adjo Axoefa Irene Amedji Project Manager, Institut Polytechnique Defitech, Togo ,

Meriem Aoudia University of Sharjah,

Ashok Timsina New York University Abu Dhabi,

Djilali Dernane National School of Information & Communication Technologies,

Reem Hazim New York University Abu Dhabi,

Mentors

Abbas (Omid) Hassasfar PhD student, Stellenbosch University, South Africa,

Utkarsh Azad Quantum Scientist, Xanadu Quantum Technologies, Canada ,

Robert Basmadjian Interim Professor, Clausthal University of Technology, Finland,

Zixiao Xu Carnegie Mellon University,

We’re like qubits. Each of us can’t do much alone. But when we come together and be in superposition, we have the potential to revolutionize the society
Yugoo Lu

Quantum computing is not just a technology, it’s a mindset. Let’s embrace the power of diversity and global collaboration to unleash the true potential of quantum, and create a world that was once unimaginable.
Vardaan Sahgal

فُقدان / FuQdan Team 12

Focus on Good Health & Well-Being

Early detection of Alzheimer’s disease using Quantum-Enhanced Machine Learning helps patients to slow the progression of the disease and helps insurers lower healthcare costs.

Students

Alessandro Sinibaldi EPFL Lausanne École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne,

Yugoo Lu New York University Abu Dhabi,

Shahd Lubada An-Najah National University,

Nadeen Nassif Freshman, Nile University,

Dea Likaj New York University Abu Dhabi,

Firas Darwish New York University Abu Dhabi,

Prince Joseph Javier Asian Institute of Management,

Mentors

Stefan Hillmich PhD Candidate, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria ,

Amro Imam Education Outreach Resident at SandboxAQ,

Pingal Pratyush Nath PhD Student, Indian Institute of Science, India,

Vardaan Sahgal Quantum Software and Solutions Head, Womanium Quantum, India,

The NYUAD hackathon is such a unique opportunity to collaborate with people from around the world and grow as a learner. I have had such an amazing time!
Jade LeSchack

The 11th NYUAD Hackathon has been a colorful melange of people from every imaginable culture having impressively diverse expertise driven by their passion to solve problems for social good. It’s been an absolute pleasure to be part of this amazing event!
Priya Aswani

عـــون / AUN Team 2

Focus on Good Health & Wellbeing

AUN (عون) / AUN helps governments, citizens, and NGOs provide an efficient emergency evacuation response to those affected by natural disasters using graph optimization.

Students

Tamer Krizim Philadelphia University,

Saaketh Rayaprolu University of Southern California,

Jade LeSchack University of Maryland - College Park,

Ajla Sacic NYUAD, UAE,

Mohamed Islem Kara Bernou Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Informatique,

Keya Shah New York University Abu Dhabi,

Aziz Amro Palestine Polytechnic University,

Mentors

Priya Aswani Chief Technology Officer & Faculty in Computer Science, University of Wollongong, UAE,

Nada Ikken Ph.D Student in Quantum information, University Mohammed V in Rabat, Morocco,

Mousa Farajallah Associate Professor of Cybersecurity Engineering, Palestine Polytechnic University, Palestine,

As the great Sheikh Zayed once said “A country’s greatest investment lies in building generations of knowledgeable and educated youth”
Hamdan Zoghbor

It is vital to make science as accessible as possible to the youth in a language they understand.
Aliza Siddiqui

شيخ سكر / Sheikh Sukar Team 3

Focus on Quality Education, Gender Equality and Industry Innovation & Infrastructure

Spooky or Genius? Learn about the fundamentals of quantum through Sheikh Sukar!

Students

Hamdan Zoghbor New York University Abu Dhabi,

Youmna Hamdan Al-Quds University,

Mah Noor Anwar Quaid-i-Azam University,

Billel Benoudjit University Paris 8, Saint Denis,

Yahya Haj Ali Al-Quds University,

Rahaf Qanas Ajman University,

Mentors

Rushdi Hamamreh Head of Computer Engineering Department, Al-Quds University, Jordan,

Jibran Rashid Assistant Professor, Institute of Business Administration, Pakistan,

Saumya Ranjan Behera Fakir Mohan University / Raman Research Institute,

Aliza Siddiqui Louisiana State University,

The NYUAD hackathon has been an outstanding experience, getting to work on things I didn’t know I can actually do was the best part about it. I really like how it allows me to learn from people with different backgrounds and levels coming from all around the world.
Maryam Almetnawy

The Quantum NYUAD hackathon provides a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals worldwide to explore the fascinating intersection of quantum computing and our passions.
Nouhaila Innan

"Participating in a Quantum-focused hackathon felt like entering a realm of innovation, where it takes you to a different world while also having fun. Had a blast getting to work with my teammates!"
Maryam Almetnawy

"Joining this incredible event for the third time fills me with excitement and enthusiasm. Each occasion is a fresh inspiration chapter, filled with unforgettable moments and vibrant connections. Once again, I’m truly honored to be part of this fantastic hackathon!"
Nouhaila Innan

تَنبيه / Tanbeeh Team 4

Focus on Decent Work & Economic Growth
and Peace & Justice, and Strong Institutions

With Tanbeeh | تَنْبِيه, Say Goodbye to Fraudsters and Hello to Fraud Busters!

Students

Kelly Harrison University of Wisconsin Madison,

Alaa Breim University College of Applied Sciences - Gaza,

Sairupa Thota Gurunanak Institutions,

Maryam Almetnawy Marketing Analyst, Amazon, UAE,

Mohammad Husaini Palestine Polytechnic University,

Mohamed Ahmed ElMohandes American University of Sharjah,

Husayn Gokal , Algorithmics, United Arab Emirates,

Mentors

Jamika Roque University of the Philippines,

Ioannis Theodonis Quantum Educator, National Technical University of Athens, Greece,

Nouhaila Innan Post-Doctoral Associate, New York University Abu Dhabi, UAE,

Participating in this hackathon has been an incredible experience that I will never forget. I am grateful for the opportunity to meet amazing people and to have had the chance to connect with Sama, whose insights and guidance were truly eye-opening. This event was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that challenged me to work under pressure and push my limits to create something truly amazing. Winning is no longer the goal for me because the real victory is in the journey, the connections made, and the knowledge gained. I feel like I have already won just by being a part of this amazing event.
Syrine Sbaa

The Quantum Computing Hackathon is a thrilling fusion of diversity and camaraderie. It’s a global meeting point, where incredible minds thrive in a positive, collaborative atmosphere. It’s not just great, it’s quantum!
David Morcuende

"The NYUAD Hackathon is a vibrant celebration of diversity, innovation, and the amazing connections that drive us forward in technology and friendship."
David Morcuende Cantador

تنبّؤ / TANABU Team 6

Focus on Affordable & Clean Energy

TANABU|تنبّؤ is a quantum machine learning project that predicts energy grid failures and suggests maintenance based on climate, consumption trends, and energy generation data.

Students

Kevin Rapp Brown University,

Yousef Bashar Alnashef Khalifa University,

Ahmed Kamal Rashid Khalifa University of Science and Technology,

Syrine Sbaa ESI – Ecole nationale Supérieure d'Informatique,

Gabriel Missael Barco University of Guanajuato,

Omar Rayyan New York University Abu Dhabi,

Rahaf Alhusari Senior, Ajman University,

Abdallah El Sayed Ahmad Arab Open University,

Mentors

Mohammed Alghadeer PhD Candidate, University of Oxford, United Kingdom,

David Morcuende Cantador Network Manager, European Quantum Industry Consortia (QuIC), Spain,

This has been a life changing experience for me, and I learned so much about quantum computers and their potential impact
Nada Boutaoui

I really am proud and excited that the UAE and the Arab World are taking an initiative into utilizing this technology for good. This is only the beginning.
Salahedeen Issa

"Bringing together brilliant, driven students to develop highly pertinent projects using a super promising technology. What a remarkable event."
Salahedeen Issa

نقاء / NaQaa’ Team 7

Focus on Industry innovation & infrastructure

Optimization of crop rotation techniques in order to improve sustainability of agriculture.

Students

Nada Elsharkawy New York University Abu Dhabi,

Mojtaba Khavaninzadeh University of Toronto,

Violeta Kabadzhova Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski,

Nada Boutaoui Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Informatique,

Mira Saleh NYU Abu Dhabi, UAE,

Amine Kidane Khalifa University of Science and Technology,

Mentors

Sophie Li Harvard University,

Ahmad Alsadeh Professor, Birzeit University, Jordan,

Swaraj Purohit MIT World Peace University,

Salahedeen Issa Quantum Software Engineer, Infleqtion, United States,

Working on this project has been an incredible experience. I never thought I would be able to apply quantum computing to a real-world problem like fertilizer design. It’s exciting to see how these cutting-edge technologies can be used to make a positive impact on the world.
Walid Al-Eisawi

Nature is a remarkable chemist, and quantum computing provides an opportunity to better understand and harness its secrets for designing more efficient and sustainable fertilizer molecules.
Pawel Gora

كيو كروب / QCrop Team 10

Focus on Industry innovation & infrastructure

Using Quantum Computing for Simulating Molecular Engineering for Fertilizer Design.

Students

Padmapriya Mohan RNS Institute of Technology, Bangalore,

Hamza Korhan METU - Middle East Technical University,

Ashmit Gupta National Institute of Technology Hamirpur,

Ahmed Jaafari Al Akhawayn University, Ifrane,

Meriam Mkadmi American University Of Sharjah,

Rohan Mitra American University Of Sharjah,

Walid Al-Eisawi New York University Abu Dhabi,

Mentors

Amir Karamlou PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), United States,

Pawel Gora CEO, Quantum AI Foundation, Poland,

Kamila Zaman Senior QML Researcher - Ebrains Lab, CQTS, NYUAD, Pakistan,

Really enjoyed meeting others from around the world to discuss not only quantum computing but personal interests and projects
Mahira Pathan

I really enjoyed coming back for a second year, and one that is the same as last year — the best part of the Hackathon is the PEOPLE!
Sahar Ben Rached

"This experience is truly the fusion of creativity, collaboration, and building transformative solutions. I am happy to be back again!"
Lyna Boukari

"The team is brilliant! It is so exciting to work with smart and engaged students"
Sahar Ben Rached

فائق / FaaiQ Team 11

Focus on Industry innovation & infrastructure

Applying quantum optimization algorithms to efficiently implement quantum networks using existing infrastructure.

Students

João Henrique Oliveira Fontes University of Chicago,

Fatma-Zohra Rezkellah Paris Dauphine -PSL university, France,

Jeffrey Tejada Brown University,

Bimarsha Adhikari New York University Abu Dhabi,

Gonzalo de la Cruz New York University Abu Dhabi,

Lyna Boukari 5th year, University of Paris 8,

Abdullah Taqiedin Applied Science Private University,

Mahira Moen Pathan American University Of Sharjah,

Mentors

Teague Tomesh Quantum Software Engineer, Infleqtion, United States,

Sahar Ben Rached PhD Candidate, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Spain,

Walid El Maouaki PhD student, University Hassan 2 of Casablanca, Morocco,

We’re like qubits. Each of us can’t do much alone. But when we come together and be in superposition, we have the potential to revolutionize the society.
Deepesh Garg

Our team’s passion for our hackathon project quickly strengthened as we leveraged our diverse academic backgrounds to solve the widely applicable UN SDGs. Moreover, it was a pleasure deep diving into the fascinating underlying technology and exploring the versatility of our solution with an incredibly talented team assembled from all corners of the world.
Dilyara Sharipova

"As a returning mentor, the rich diversity of talent, interests and backgrounds of the students on our team make this hackathon a highlight of my year. Perhaps most importantly, my teammates are just wonderful people to work with and I look forward to seeing them grow far beyond this event."
Shantanu Jha

كثير / Qathir Team 13

Focus on Sustainable cities and communities

By leveraging our quantum-enhanced end-to-end solution for cost-efficient sensor placement and rapid fault and vulnerability localization, Qathir enables the robust and efficient use of the increasingly complex water distribution networks of tomorrow.

Students

Dhruv Srinivasan University of Maryland, College Park,

Khader Khudair University College of Applied Sciences - Gaza,

Samhitha Bharthulwar Indian Institute of Information Technology Kottayam,

Anubhav Shrestha New York University Abu Dhabi,

Deepesh Garg Manipal Institute of Technology,

Yeji Han New York University Abu Dhabi,

Tasnim Ahmed Research Assistant, NYUAD Center for Quantum & Topological Systems,

Oyungerel Amarsanaa New York University Abu Dhabi,

Sasha Malik New York University Abu Dhabi,

Mentors

Dilyara Sharipova PhD @ MIT | CSO, co-founder @ Boston Quantum,

Shantanu Jha PhD student @ MIT EQuS | CEO, co-founder @ Boston Quantum,

It was interesting to work with a diverse team and apply our range of talents!
Batool Wa’El Alsalieby

I’ve been genuinely impressed by the intuition and agility of my group when they’ve been faced with a time-pressured, challenging problem. It’s this style of teamwork that brings hackathon-level ideas into the real world.
Adam Alderton

وَميض / Wameed (Flash) Team 14

Focus on Climate Action

Proven quantum advantage in large-scale routing with applications in constrained resource distribution.

Students

Pau Escofet Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya,

Harshit Gupta Netaji Subhas University of Technology,

Amgad Abdallah Cairo University,

Patricia Bermudez Buenaventura Master's Student, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, UAE,

Mariah Smith-Jones Boston University,

Batool Alsalieby Birzeit University,

Symbat Bekzhigit New York University Abu Dhabi,

Mentors

Ricky Young COO, qBraid, United States ,

Baker Abdalhaq Assistant Professor, An Najah National University, Palestine,

Adam Alderton PhD, University of Cambridge,

I was truly impressed by the hackathon! Despite only being there for two days, I had the pleasure of meeting a diverse group of people who quickly felt like family to me. It was amazing to see the cultural differences between us disappear as we formed instant connections.I’m already looking forward to the next one and hope to attend again!
Salmi Mohammed Nadjib

“Technology is best when it brings people together.”~ Matt Mullenweg .This hackathon has demonstrated that by bringing together a diverse group of people and attempting to make the world a better place, one solution at a time! The future is bright!
Lorraine Tsitsi Majiri

أمان / Safety Team 15

Good Health and Well-Being

During catastrophes and emergencies, our quantum algorithm, based on QAOA, optimizes the placement of scarce resources by minimizing the time for citizens to reach them.