Birzeit University students win 2022 Global Sustainability Space Challenge

A team of Birzeit University engineering and technology students representing Palestine achieved first place at the 2022 Global Sustainability Space Challenge held in Qatar. The team included Nirmeen Al-Skeikh, Yuna Nawahda, Rawan Sous, Amjad Hamed and Abdallah Auodah from Birzeit University and Mahdi Shoman from Missouri State University under the supervision of Dr. Amin Nawahda, researcher in mechanical engineering.

The students designed a mobile monitoring system that reads high concentrations of harmful pollutants and notifies users to take precautionary measures. The sensor is connected to the mobile by Bluetooth and can be used with a smart watch or other personal accessories. The app will help health organizations manage viruses in public areas and protect elders vulnerable to respiratory diseases.

The Global Sustainability Space Challenge provides the opportunity for students to propose innovative, entrepreneurial solutions aimed at the use of space for earth sustainability to tackle environmental challenges. The competition was launched by Qatar University in partnership with Metavisionaries, ICE Cubes Service, Space Applications Service, the International Space University and Blue Origin’s Club for the Future.