As part of its vision to support youth creativity and strengthen scientific research efforts, TRENDS Research & Advisory, the research partner of the Sharjah International Book Fair 2025, announced, through its Youth Council, the winners of the first edition of the “Future Researchers” competition, which targeted university students across the UAE. The winners of the top three places were honored during a special ceremony held at the TRENDS pavilion at the Sharjah International Book Fair.

First place went to Meera Al-Hosani from the American University of Sharjah for her research titled “Achieving Personal Data Privacy and Security in the Tech Era.” Second place was awarded to Li Ziqi from the University of Sharjah for the research “BRICS+ Governance at the Crossroads of AI and Green Development: Insights from the Expansion of New Members.” Third place went to Alya Bin Khamas from the University of Sharjah for her research “Unlocking South to South Potential: Exploring the BRICS+ Expansion and the Prospect of Mitigation and Rapprochement.”

Stimulating Creativity and Innovation

Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, stated that the “Future Researchers” competition aligns with the center’s strategic vision to empower youth and strengthen their research and scientific capabilities. He noted that the initiative represents one of TRENDS’ key qualitative programs aimed at supporting young generations and talent. Through this competition, the center seeks to build a generation of distinguished researchers capable of shaping the future of scientific inquiry and intellectual advancement, while fostering an environment that inspires creativity and innovation, enabling young people to harness their intellectual energy to address contemporary challenges through a rigorous scientific approach.

Developing Research Capabilities

Dr. Al Ali explained that the competition is a genuine and practical embodiment of the center’s vision, “Investing in Youth… Investing in the Future.” It aims to strengthen students’ research skills, from developing research ideas to collecting and analyzing data, and presenting findings and recommendations in a professional scientific manner. He added that the competition also helps develop intellectual and creative abilities by encouraging participants to propose innovative solutions to future challenges. Dr. Al Ali further noted that TRENDS plans to expand the competition’s scope in the future, transforming it into a regional and international platform dedicated to developing young research talents capable of foreseeing the future through the tools of the present.

Thirty-Eight Research Papers

Al-Anood Al-Hosani, Head of the TRENDS Youth Council, affirmed that the first edition of the “Future Researchers” competition, launched by the Council, aimed to promote a culture of scientific research among university students and harness their energy and creativity in producing valuable academic work. She added that the competition received 38 diverse research papers from students across various universities in the UAE, with the evaluation committee selecting the top three submissions.

Al-Hosani noted that the TRENDS Youth Council operates proactively and with a clear vision to strengthen the youth’s role across all areas of scientific research. It seeks to empower them as future leaders and active partners in the nation’s development journey by launching research and creative competitions and involving them in specialized training programs designed to develop their talents and enhance their innovative capabilities.