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Students from Middlesex University (MDX) Dubai recently contributed to the inaugural International Affairs Retreat hosted by the Fiker Institute.The event, held at the Institute’s library in Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, on 12 April 2025, brought together students, academics, and policy experts for a day of dialogue and collaboration centered on foreign policy.The Fiker Institute is an interdisciplinary think tank established in Dubai, its mission is to reshape global narratives by facilitating critical dialogue and advancing intellectual discourse on topics such as global governance, foreign policy, and culture. The retreat featured a policy symposium and a Capstone project showcase, aiming to strengthen collaboration between international relations departments across universities in the UAE.Mahine Ahmad, Senior Lecturer in Law and Politics, MDX Dubai, curated and mentored the student delegation representing the university. She also participated in a panel discussion titled The Rise of Populism/Right-Wing Globally. The session explored the global ascent of populist and right-wing political movements, their implications for governance, and the broader shift in political ideology.Denis Sergienko, MA International Relations, MDX Dubai, joined a student panel discussing BRICS in the Age of the Global South. Sarah Jumshad, LLB Law with International Relations, MDX Dubai, then presented her dissertation - Economic Dependency and the EU’s Legal Framework: Structural Barriers to Self-Sufficiency in Peripheral Economies. Tayba Jamil, MA Global Governance and Sustainable Development, MDX Dubai, also showcased her research on Beyond Displacement: Gendered Vulnerabilities and Socio-Economic Consequences of Climate-Induced Migration. A select group of third-year law students were invited to attend the retreat, providing them with a valuable opportunity to engage directly with academics, peers, and professionals in the field. They were also given the opportunity to apply for Fiker’s newly launched summer internship programme.Participation in an event hosted by a prestigious think tank like the Fiker Institute offered students insights into international affairs and reinforced the university’s commitment to contributing to impactful global challenges. You can become part of a university with more than 500 industry partnerships, apply today. 

Two teams of students from Middlesex University (MDX) Dubai have taken top spots at the recent Emirates Robotics competition.Held on 8 April 2025, organised and hosted by the American University of Sharjah in collaboration with the Dubai Future Foundation, MDX Dubai’s robotics talent stood out in the ‘Recycling Manipulator Challenge’.This challenge called on teams to build robotic manipulators capable of sorting various types of waste materials, a vital step toward sustainable recycling and environmental impact reduction.Competing against over 100 top teams from universities across the UAE, MDX Dubai won the challenge for the third year running. Team ArmPicks, led by BEng Computer Systems Engineering student Muhammad Siraj Bilal, clinched both the first-place award and the best poster award, taking home an AED 15,000 prize.Muhammad said: “This is our first time winning the Emirates Robotics Competition, and it truly means the world to us. Especially for me, this victory is personal. After facing a tough setback in last year’s challenge, I promised myself I’d come back stronger - and today, I’m grateful that every late night, every failed trial, and every learning moment paid off.“From building and training AI models, to calibrating the manipulator using complex mathematical concepts, to integrating it all into a functioning system, it’s been a journey of intense learning and even more intense teamwork.” Team Overcharged and Undervolted, led by BSc Information Technology student Aman Mishra, earned the second place award in the ‘Mobile Robot Challenge’ and the best innovation award, claiming an AED 10,000 prize.Aman said: “While securing second place was initially disappointing, it also indicates there's room for growth and improvement. I'm committed to continuing the development of this robot, determined to achieve even greater performance in future challenges.“This experience has reinforced my passion for robotics and innovation, driving me to continue pursuing advancements in technology and AI for a brighter, sustainable future.”All the teams were mentored by Dr Judhi Prasetyo, Senior CEI Lecturer and Founder of RoboTechX at MDX Dubai, and were fully funded by the university. The victories add to MDX Dubai’s growing stature and legacy in the Robotics field, which is taught at MSc level and also embedded into the undergraduate curriculum.

An eco-conscious innovation has taken the top prize at the MDXcelerator 2025 thrilling grand finale.The competition culminated on 16 April at Middlesex University (MDX) Dubai following months of preparation, 12 dynamic sessions and 32 entrants. Ten finalist teams came together at Dubai Knowledge Park to pitch their ideas in front of a panel of esteemed judges. The judging panel consisted of Dr Judhi Prasetyo, Head and Founder of RoboTechX lab, Senior Lecturer, MDX Dubai; Ahmed Elrayes, Membership and Community Manager, in5; Dimo Valev, Graphic Design Lecturer, MDX Dubai; and Dr Engie Bashir, Senior Lecturer CEI, MDX Dubai.   The judges listened to the team’s pitches, asked questions and provided live time feedback to the groups, before crowning the winning team ‘Hextech’ and presenting them with a cheque for AED 3,000. They also presented the teams finishing second and third with cheques for AED 2,000 and AED 1,000 respectively.   ‘Hextech’ consisted of BSc Information Technology students Akshvin Uthesh, Mohammad Sohail, Anousha Tariq, Saanviya Sunil, Syed Nasiruddin and Himanshu Masand. Their initiative ‘Green Miles’ is designed to help eco-conscious individuals and sustainability-driven companies track mobility, reduce carbon footprints, and meet Corporate Social Responsibility goals through gamifying sustainable actions and rewarding eco-friendly behaviour. MDXcelerator is hosted by the Middlesex Innovation Hub (MIH) in collaboration with the Careers and Employability Services Department, providing a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to bring their business ideas to life through tailored mentoring, expert-led workshops, and access to valuable resources. It is a unique business start-up support programme offering students and recent graduates the opportunity to develop a business idea via a blend of one-to-one mentoring, dedicated start-up workshops, online resources, and monetary rewards. Professor Fehmida Hussain, Deputy Director MDX Dubai and Head and Founder of the MIH, said: “My congratulations go out to the winning teams. Their entrepreneurial and innovative mindsets set them apart and I am looking forward to seeing the prize money being put into their ideas and seeing them come to life.  “I would like to thank the faculty members and external experts who generously contributed their time and expertise throughout the programme. Their mentorship and guidance have played a vital role in shaping these students' journeys. In addition thank you to Amanda Fernandes for co-ordinating the event with support and guidance from MIH co-chairs Dr Engie Bashir and Dr Jeongsoo Han.  “Innovation is embedded in the culture at MDX Dubai, and it is important we celebrate and showcase it at every opportunity.”  The MIH community is available for all MDX Dubai students to join and is not just about creating a business, but about curating a lifelong mindset, involving creativity, problem solving, and solution-driven thinking.