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

The 2023 Teams

1st Place Audience Choice Award Special Award: GESDA Open Quantum Institute (OQI)
Team 5

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

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
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
2nd Place
Team 8

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
Akash Kant Quantum Cloud Architect, qBraid, United States
El Amine Cherrat Quantum Scientist, QC Ware, France
3rd Place
Team 1

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
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
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
Audience Choice Award
Team 12

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
Team 2

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
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
Priya Aswani Chief Technology Officer & Faculty in Computer Science, University of Wollongong, UAE
Nada Ikken
Nada Ikken Ph.D Student in Quantum information, University Mohammed V in Rabat, Morocco
Mousa Farajallah
Mousa Farajallah Associate Professor of Cybersecurity Engineering, Palestine Polytechnic University, Palestine
Team 3

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
Jibran Rashid Assistant Professor, Institute of Business Administration, Pakistan
Saumya Ranjan Behera Fakir Mohan University / Raman Research Institute
Aliza Siddiqui Louisiana State University
Team 4

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

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
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
Ioannis Theodonis Quantum Educator, National Technical University of Athens, Greece
Nouhaila Innan
Nouhaila Innan Post-Doctoral Associate, New York University Abu Dhabi, UAE
Team 6

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

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
Mohammed Alghadeer PhD Candidate, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
David Morcuende Cantador
David Morcuende Cantador Network Manager, European Quantum Industry Consortia (QuIC), Spain
Team 7

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

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
Team 10

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
Pawel Gora CEO, Quantum AI Foundation, Poland
Kamila Zaman Senior QML Researcher - Ebrains Lab, CQTS, NYUAD, Pakistan
Team 11

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

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
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
Walid El Maouaki PhD student, University Hassan 2 of Casablanca, Morocco
Team 13

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

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
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
Team 14

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
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
Ricky Young COO, qBraid, United States
Baker Abdalhaq Assistant Professor, An Najah National University, Palestine
Adam Alderton PhD, University of Cambridge
Team 15

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.

Students

Huthayfa Mutan Birzeit University
Aniruddha Sen University of Massachusetts Amherst
Naziha Firas Ajman University
Mahmood Yaghi Senior, Ajman University
Menna Elbatran Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport
Abdul Rhman Kakhia Philadelphia University
Mohammed Nadjib Salmi
Mohammed Nadjib Salmi University Abu Bekr Belkaid
Saamia Shafqat New York University Abu Dhabi

Mentors

Ben Hall
Ben Hall Senior Quantum Software Engineer, Infleqtion, United States
Lorraine Tsitsi Majiri
Lorraine Tsitsi Majiri Chinhoyi University of Technology, Zimbabwe
Alexander Rene Degner Technical Artist (Avatars), Meta Platforms Inc., Germany
Lukas Burgholzer Researcher, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria
People Directory

Impact Partner and Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsor and Partner

Community Partners

Supporting Partners

Organizers