The Communications and Computing Systems Lab (CCSL) at KAUST received two awards in the International Telecommunication Union AI for Good Machine Learning Challenge and tinyML Hackathon Challenge 2023: Pedestrian Detection. The KAUST team's solution achieved high accuracy in pedestrian identification using event-based cameras, while consuming less power and achieving lower latency. They also received an award for innovative use of "Edge Impulse" for building datasets and training models. Why it matters: This recognition highlights KAUST's growing influence in AI research, particularly in edge computing and computer vision applications for public safety.
KAUST's Terragraph Connectivity Project received second rank in the Social Project category of the Global Excellence Awards by the Project Management Institute (PMI) in Saudi Arabia. The project, in collaboration with Meta and the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST), provided high-speed Wi-Fi to a camp of 3000+ people outside KAUST. The deployed hybrid radio frequency and free space optics technology offers reliable internet connection to a remote community. Why it matters: The award and project showcase KAUST's contribution to bridging the digital divide in line with Saudi Vision 2030's goals for sustainable development and digital inclusion.
KAUST Research Scientist Abla Kammoun received the IEEE Wireless Communication Letters (WCL) Top Editor Award for contributions to the review process. Kammoun's research focuses on random matrix theory, wireless communication systems, signal processing, big data, and machine learning. She joined the WCL editorial board in 2015 and was recognized for ensuring a fast, fair, and valuable review process. Why it matters: The award highlights KAUST's contributions to advancing wireless communication technologies and recognizes the important role of peer review in maintaining quality in the field.
KAUST postdoctoral fellow Ahmed Bader won the IEEE Communications Society Young Professionals Best Innovation Award in March. Bader's research area and the specific innovation recognized were not disclosed in the provided text. The award acknowledges contributions from young professionals in the field of communications engineering. Why it matters: Recognition of researchers at GCC universities by international bodies helps raise the profile of regional research efforts.
KAUST Ph.D. student Valerio Mazzone won the best paper award at the 9th International Conference on Metamaterials, Photonic Crystals and Plasmonics (META). Mazzone's paper demonstrated the design of a new type of fully optical neural network using dielectric nano-lasers with invisible emission. The research showed the system can produce ultrafast optical pulses with controllable period and time duration in an optical chip. Why it matters: This award recognizes KAUST's contribution to innovative research in nanophotonics and optical computing, potentially leading to more efficient and compact laser technology.