Dr. Sherif Fakhry Mohamed Abdelnaby, President of the Egyptian Russian University (ERU), announced that, within the framework of the fruitful cooperation between the University, the Air Defense College, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and in support of student innovation and its application to humanitarian causes, a team of students from the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence at the Egyptian Russian University participated in the 2026 ITC-EGYPT Competition. The competition was held at the Air Defense College within the Military Academy in the New Administrative Capital.
He noted that the team received a Certificate of Appreciation during the competition in recognition of the students’ outstanding performance and their innovative project, “MAVERICK,” a self-driving wheelchair designed as a technological innovation serving humanitarian needs.
The President of the Egyptian Russian University explained that the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence student team participated in the competition with the support of Dr. Mohamed Kamal Mostafa, Chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees. He added that the student team consisted of Mohamed El-Sayed Abdelbaky, Sherif Ashraf Yehia, Mariam Ahmed Mohamed, Aya Mohamed Ashraf, and Hamed Gamal Hamed, under the academic supervision of Dr. Wael Badawy, Head of the Data Science Department at the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence.
In the same context, Dr. Hesham Fathy, Dean of the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence at the Egyptian Russian University, stated that the “MAVERICK” project is one of the University’s applied projects aimed at harnessing artificial intelligence technologies to serve humanity. The project focuses on developing an intelligent wheelchair capable of autonomous movement and safe navigation by utilizing technologies such as computer vision, intelligent sensing, and automated decision-making. These technologies can contribute to improving the quality of life of people with mobility disabilities and enhancing their independence while moving around.
The Dean of the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence added that the team was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for its outstanding performance during the competition, which featured a large number of innovative projects in engineering and technology. The event brought together prominent academic and professional organizations and received support from several IEEE bodies and societies, including:
IEEE Egypt Section
IEEE AP-S
IEEE MTT-S
IEEE Humanitarian Technologies
IEEE Young Professionals
Dr. Hesham Fathy further stated that the 2026 ITC-EGYPT Competition witnessed the participation of numerous student teams and innovative projects from various universities and educational institutions. The competitive environment was designed to encourage creativity and innovation and promote technological solutions that serve society. The Egyptian Russian University team successfully presented an outstanding project that received praise from the judging panel and earned the team a Certificate of Appreciation.
He emphasized that this achievement reflects the high academic and technical standards of the students at the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence, as well as the Egyptian Russian University’s continuous efforts to prepare highly qualified graduates capable of employing the latest artificial intelligence technologies to address real-world challenges and transform research ideas into practical solutions with a meaningful societal impact.
For his part, Dr. Wael Badawy, Head of the Data Science Department at the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence at the Egyptian Russian University, stated that this recognition underscores the importance of investing in multidisciplinary student projects that integrate artificial intelligence, intelligent systems engineering, electronics, and control systems. Such projects contribute to preparing a new generation of innovators capable of competing at both the local and international levels.
The Head of the Data Science Department noted that the “MAVERICK” project represents an ideal model of how digital innovation and artificial intelligence can be harnessed to serve society. It also embodies the Egyptian Russian University’s vision of linking scientific research with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The project directly aligns with several SDGs, including Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being); Goal 4 (Quality Education), through the delivery of distinguished educational outcomes; Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), as the project represents a model of technological innovation based on artificial intelligence and the application of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies to serve society; and Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities), through empowering and supporting people with disabilities and facilitating their social inclusion.
The project also supports Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), as demonstrated by the fruitful collaboration among the academic sector, the military and defense sector, and international professional organizations.
Dr. Wael Badawy expressed the pride of the University and Faculty administrations in the achievements of their students, which reflect the quality of the educational and research processes at the Egyptian Russian University. He wished the “MAVERICK” project team continued success and further achievements in future competitions and scientific and technological forums, contributing to raising the profile of the Egyptian Russian University at various scientific and innovation events.