Khalifa University, in collaboration with the ACerS International United Arab Emirates Chapter, successfully hosted the first UAE Doctoral Sprint Competition, a landmark event celebrating the creativity, innovation, and research excellence of doctoral students across the United Arab Emirates.
The competition, held on Oct. 8, 2025, provided a dynamic platform for PhD candidates to present the novelty and impact of their thesis research in just 150 seconds. This fast-paced and engaging format challenged participants to communicate their ideas with clarity, precision, and enthusiasm, emphasizing the importance of effective science communication in today’s research landscape.
A total of 22 doctoral abstracts were selected for this inaugural sprint, representing diverse and cutting-edge research areas within materials science and engineering. The competition focused on innovative developments in:
- Inorganic and Ceramic Materials for Clean Energy
- Environmental Sustainability
- Infrastructure and Construction
- Biomedical and Healthcare Applications
- Electronics and Aerospace
- Water Treatment and Desalination Technologies
The event was judged by a distinguished panel of four experts from multidisciplinary backgrounds, who evaluated the participants based on novelty, impact, clarity, and presentation effectiveness. After an impressive showcase of research talent, three winners were selected for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes, recognizing their outstanding contributions and communication excellence. The remaining participants received Certificates of Participation, acknowledging their dedication and commendable presentations
The Doctoral Sprint Competition was organized under the leadership of:
- Dr. Ahsan, Chairperson of the UAE Chapter of the American Ceramic Society (ACerS)
- Dr. Infas (ACerS member), who coordinated the Sprint scheduling along with Irfan and Fatima
- Dr. Shabir Hassan (ACerS member), who led the Judging Panel
- Dr. Akbar (ACerS member), who oversaw Logistics Management
The event was supported by several ACerS student members and volunteers who played key roles in ensuring the smooth execution of the program.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ahsan emphasized the importance of fostering communication skills among young researchers, stating that “the Doctoral Sprint is not only about scientific discovery but it’s about learning to communicate the impact of that discovery to a broader audience.”
This first-of-its-kind event in the UAE has created a wave of positive energy and motivation among the graduate research community. It also highlighted the commitment of AcerS and Khalifa University to nurturing the next generation of scientists and engineers who will contribute to the nation’s innovation-driven future.
The success of the Doctoral Sprint underscores the UAE’s growing presence in advanced materials research and its dedication to sustainability, technological progress, and global scientific collaboration.
Following the overwhelming response and participation from researchers across multiple countries, the AcerS UAE Chapter is planning to organize the next cycle of the Doctoral Sprint Competition in a hybrid format, offering both virtual and in-person participation to further broaden regional/international engagement and accessibility.
