UAEU Launches the “Universities Challenge 2025” with Over 25 Participating Teams from National and International Universities

As a Prelude to the International Government Communication Forum

The fourth edition of the “Universities Challenge 2025,” organized by the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) in collaboration with the Sharjah Government Communication Award, has officially been launched. This initiative is part of the activities leading up to the International Government Communication Forum 2025 and witnessed high levels of enthusiasm with wide participation from national and international universities. The event has attracted the attention of academics, experts, and decision-makers, highlighting its significance within academic and policy-making circles.

The challenge, considered one of the most prominent youth activities accompanying the forum, aims to empower undergraduate students to contribute innovative solutions to challenges related to government communication. It focuses on enhancing students' creative thinking skills and encourages them to utilize modern technologies and smart applications to propose sustainable solutions to contemporary issues.

This year’s theme is food security, acknowledged as one of the most urgent global concerns. The challenge emphasizes the vital role of food security in promoting social and economic stability. Participants are working on designing campaigns and innovative ideas that raise social awareness about the importance of food sustainability while also encouraging the formation of cross-sector partnerships to support both national and regional efforts in this critical field.

More than 25 university teams are participating this year. National institutions taking part include United Arab Emirates University, Khalifa University, University of Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain University, University of Khorfakkan, Ajman University, and Al Ain University. In addition, several prominent regional universities are participating, including New York University Abu Dhabi, American University of Sharjah, Sultan Qaboos University, King Saud University, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, University of Jordan, Cairo University, and Jordan University of Science and Technology.

The judging committee for this year includes Professor Hebatallah Elsemary, Dean of the Faculty of Media and Applied Languages at Nahda University in Cairo; Professor Abdullah Al-Sadi, representing the College of Agriculture at the University of Al Dhaid; Ali Al Hamodi, Director of the Government Communication Department at Sharjah Municipality; and Hajar Alketbi, Director of the Government Communication Department at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. The evaluation criteria for the participating teams cover creativity, innovation, sustainability, community impact, and the effective use of government communication tools to reach target audiences and achieve meaningful outcomes. The winning teams will be announced at the conclusion of the forum’s activities.

In parallel with the challenge, UAEU is hosting a series of panel discussions that focus on education and government communication. The first panel, titled “Sustainable Higher Education: Between Institutional Empowerment and International Competitiveness,” brings together global speakers to discuss the role of universities in addressing worldwide challenges. The second panel is an interactive, youth-led session titled “Our Food, Our Responsibility: How Can We Create Youth-Led Sustainability Awareness Campaigns?” featuring university students and reflecting the university’s commitment to involving young people in shaping solutions and future recommendations.