UAE engineering breakthrough: Heriot-Watt Dubai claims top AI honors at Formula Student UK

Dubai: In a momentous triumph for both Heriot-Watt University Dubai and the wider region, a trailblazing student team has stormed onto the global stage, capturing two major international awards at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) Formula Student UK 2025 competition — one of the world’s most prestigious engineering showdowns.

The team clinched the coveted Real World AI Award and were crowned Overall AI Static Winners, propelling Heriot-Watt Dubai into the global spotlight and etching their name in the history books as the first-ever university from the GCC to achieve such a feat in the AI category.

This is more than just a win — it’s a breakthrough.
It places the UAE’s engineering prowess front and center on the world stage, showcasing the extraordinary talent, innovation, and technical excellence emerging from the region’s academic institutions.

“Representing Heriot-Watt University Dubai and becoming the first team from the GCC to achieve this was a tremendous honor,” shared Moiz Saeed, Deputy Team Lead. “Putting our university’s name among the top-ranked globally is a truly special achievement, and we’re incredibly proud to have been a part of it.”

The team credited their success to relentless determination, teamwork, and the invaluable mentorship of Dr Mohammed Al Musleh, their faculty advisor, whose expert guidance was instrumental throughout their journey.

“The entire experience has been challenging, exciting, and deeply rewarding,” Saeed added. “We’ve not only demonstrated our technical capabilities but also shown what student talent in the UAE is capable of in the fields of AI and autonomous systems.”

As the global momentum around artificial intelligence and autonomous mobility accelerates, the team’s success serves as a powerful testament to the innovation emerging from the UAE’s academic institutions and a signal of the region’s growing role in shaping the future of mobility.