The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) held its 8th annual Ibtikar Business Competition, in collaboration with a panel of investors and entrepreneurship experts who evaluated 13 student-led projects. Three standout entries were awarded the top honours, selected based on criteria including the originality of the idea, feasibility studies, marketing approaches, and their commitment to sustainability and community service.

Taking first place was "AbleFreelance" from HCT–Ras Al Khaimah, an app dedicated to empowering People of Determination by enhancing their access to employment opportunities. "FIKR" from HCT–Dubai secured second place with a platform that fosters creativity, learning, and recreation by offering engaging activities for students during breaks between classes. In third place was "ECO 360" from HCT–Sharjah, a project addressing the issue of furniture waste while encouraging more sustainable consumer habits.

Dr. Haya Al Shawwa and Dr. Veselina Yankova, HCT Business faculty members and organisers of the competition, highlighted the significance of the annual Ibtikar competition held across all HCT campuses. Now in its eighth year, the event underscores HCT’s ongoing dedication to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship by motivating students to develop impactful ideas with startup potential. The participating entries represented the top student projects from across the campuses, demonstrating how students have applied the entrepreneurial and idea development skills gained through their Innovation course.

Projects Offering Solutions and Services

The first-place project, "AbleFreelance," was created by students Aaesha Alshehhi, Hend Alahmad, Afra Aldhuhoori, Khawla Alshehhi, and Khadija Alteneji from the Computer Information Science and Business programs. The team shared that their primary aim was to support the community, particularly People of Determination, who often encounter barriers to employment and employer engagement. Their app seeks to bridge this gap by connecting People of Determination with companies offering remote job opportunities, using customised communication features to cater to diverse needs.

The second-place project, "FIKR," developed by student Fathima Khan, is a platform designed to boost creativity, learning, and recreation through AI-powered scheduling of activities during breaks between classes. It also enables students to connect with peers by joining interest-based groups and engaging in interactions beyond the classroom environment.

The third-place project, "ECO 360," developed by students Huda Khan and Hamda Alseqetri, is a comprehensive sustainable interior design platform tackling the growing issue of furniture waste. With large volumes of discarded furniture collected daily by municipalities, the project aims to reduce waste by 30–35% through eco-conscious solutions that integrate design, leasing, and repair services. It also promotes awareness of upcycling and encourages more sustainable consumer behaviour.