Student Researchers from MDX Dubai Earn Top Honours
- Wednesday, 11 June 2025
Students from Middlesex University (MDX) Dubai showcased their talent and expertise at the 12th Annual Undergraduate Research and Innovation Competition (URIC), hosted by Abu Dhabi University on 29 May 2025.
The competition drew over 650 submissions from students across 105 universities and 14 countries. Following a rigorous selection process, top projects were shortlisted to present in front of panels of expert judges across 27 academic disciplines.
MDX Dubai made an impression at the competition, submitting over 30 research and innovation entries, of these, an impressive 24 projects were shortlisted for final presentation, a testament to the university’s emphasis on nurturing critical thinking, creativity, and academic excellence.
The students delivered well-prepared and compelling presentations, showcasing a wide range of topics spanning education, psychology, AI, health, and more. Among the standout achievements, three MDX Dubai students earned top three positions in their respective categories.
Education student Malak AlHajry won first place in the Education & Instructional Technologies track for her research titled “The Perceived Impact of Screen Exposure on Young Children's Inhibitory Control: Teachers' and Parents' Perspectives in the UAE.”
Reflecting on her win, Malak said: “When I heard the title of my paper and my university being called, it felt like a moment out of a fairytale. I’m so proud to represent Middlesex University, which believed in me and nurtured me every step of the way.”
Afrin Fathima Razvi, a Computer Engineering and Informatics student, secured third place in the same track. Afrin presented her innovative project titled "Intellectus: A Fine-Tuned LLM To Enhance Student Cognitive Performance, Foster Independent Reasoning, Reinforce Academic Integrity, and Mitigate AI Over-Reliance in Education."
Afrin said: “The quality of the participants' research reminded me that innovation is all about defending your ideas against brilliant minds. It genuinely felt like walking into a room full of tomorrow’s inventors arguing with today’s limits.”
Layana Shunnar, a psychology student took third place in the Psychology category for her research project titled “Smoking Cessation for University Students." Layana said: “I appreciated the opportunity to attend and present at the competition. I enjoyed it immensely and would not have done it without the university’s support.”
The competition marked the culmination of months of preparation, dedication, and collaboration by MDX Dubai students and their supervisors, with special support from the university’s Office of Student Research, led by Dr Lynda Hyland.
Professor Fehmida Hussain, Deputy Director Engagement and Student Experience, Head of the Middlesex Innovation Hub, said: “At Middlesex University Dubai, we are proud to champion student research and innovation. By equipping students with the skills to investigate real-world challenges, we are not only shaping critical thinkers but also preparing future leaders for the careers of tomorrow."
The achievements at URIC 2025 reflect MDX Dubai’s continued commitment to academic excellence, applied learning, and the development of a vibrant research culture that empowers students to address the challenges of the future.
