ADAC honors ADWC Engineering Students

Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) recently honored three senior students of the Higher Colleges of Technology’s Abu Dhabi Women’s College for their graduation project in electronics engineering. The students, with support from ADAC, designed a system to trace passengers with reduced mobility as they move through Abu Dhabi International Airport, including an emergency response option.

In the system under development, passengers with mobility problems resulting from advanced age, physical disabilities, or chronic conditions such as heart disease could be issued a small “tag” to wear when they check in at the airport. WiFi signals would track the person’s movement, and the person could press a button on the tag in case of a sudden need for assistance. ADAC’s Senior Manager for Emiratization, Captain Salem Muhammad Al Khazraji, stated, “Besides contributing to the students’ careers, this project was unique, because it serves ADAC’s overall plan to provide better services for persons with reduced mobility.”

At a ceremony in honor of the project’s successful completion, ADAC’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Huraiz Al Mur Bin Huraiz, together with Dr. Kathleen O’Connell Hodge, ADWC’s Director, presented certificates of achievement to the ADWC students: Noura Haqi, Khadeeja Mohsin and Mariam Matar Al Romaithi, who are among the HCT’s first female graduates in the field of Electronics Engineering Technology. Certificates were also presented to Mr. Ligiu Uiorean, Infrastructure Development Manager at ADAC, who supervised the students’ semester-long internship at ADAC; Dr. Salem Salem, ADWC Electronics Engineering faculty; and other ADAC officials involved with the project.

ADWC Director Dr. Hodge thanked ADAC for the company’s support. “This valuable partnership with ADAC strengthens the HCT’s emphasis on applied and experiencial learning by giving our students the opportunity to work in a professional environment. It has also allowed these women to engage with their community by serving people with special needs.”

ADWC student Noura affirmed the value of working at the airport, saying, “I learned a lot of things, and I understand a lot about the operations at Abu Dhabi International Airport which most of my classmates do not know. I have a lot of experience there.” She added, “Even though we had challenges, I am glad I chose this project, because I love helping special needs people.”