This strategic collaboration aims to nurture future-ready tech talent and strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for cybersecurity excellence. Under the MoU, CTF.ae will offer internship opportunities for 42 Abu Dhabi students, providing them with hands-on industry exposure and real-world experience in tackling complex cybersecurity challenges. In addition, both parties will collaborate to deliver expert-led talks, workshops, and training sessions focusing on career pathways and emerging technologies.

Joint efforts will also include the organization of industry-themed hackathons, innovation challenges, conferences, youth circles, and networking events to promote a culture of collaboration and continuous learning. Dr. Ahmed Al Shoaibi, Acting CEO of 42 Abu Dhabi said: ” Our collaboration with CTF.ae is a key milestone in our mission to empower students with real-world cybersecurity expertise and future-proof their careers. By connecting our project-based learning model with CTF.ae’s industry-leading platforms and experiences, we are reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s vision to build a knowledge-based economy, while supporting the UAE’s broader ambitions to become a global leader in cybersecurity innovation. We look forward to seeing our students lead and shape the future of this critical sector.”

Mr. Ahmed Atalla, COO of CTF.ae added, “Working together with 42 Abu Dhabi allows us to connect with the country’s most talented and motivated students, giving them access to realistic cybersecurity scenarios and challenges to expand their skillset and prepare them for the evolving digital landscape of tomorrow. We have seen the passion of the 42 Abu Dhabi students over previous years, and now is the time to provide them with a cybersecurity exercise platform that keeps them engaged year-round, preparing them to compete globally and achieve top ranks representing the nation.”

As part of this collaboration, 42 Abu Dhabi has coordinated with CTF.ae to host an Attack/Defense Capture the Flag (CTF) competition on its campus. The event was held over two days, with an Attack/Defense CTF Workshop scheduled for April 29, followed by the Attack/Defense CTF Competition on April 30.

This two-day hackathon aimed to foster innovation and creativity among students by challenging them to harness the power of coding to solve real-world problems using AI. The event kicked off with a workshop on the first day, focusing on Computer Vision using Python Frameworks, Python Libraries, Open-source Models, and Datasets. Through the workshop, students gained valuable insights and skills essential for the hackathon, ensuring they are equipped to tackle the challenge ahead.

The team that won first place, including Ahmed Salem, Ghaiath Abdoush, Shatha Jadallah and Nousheen Ali, developed ‘Sawt AlRu’ya,’ an application which utilizes cutting-edge computer vision and AI technology to analyze live video streams, convert them into real-time textual descriptions, and seamlessly translate them into spoken words using a Large Language Model (LLM). By providing immediate audio feedback, ‘Sawt AlRu’ya’ empowers individuals with visual impairments to interact with their surroundings, effectively enhancing their daily lives and fostering inclusivity.

The second-place champions, including Avazbek Rashidov, Timur Mazitov, Zubaydullo Abdirakhmonov, and Nauman Munir, developed “Visulaw”, a tool which empowers users to capture photos of objects and instantly receive location-specific information about relevant fines and laws associated with those objects. This web application enhances user awareness and compliance with local regulations, fostering safer and more informed interactions with everyday objects.

Marcos Muller Habig, Acting CEO of 42 Abu Dhabi, said, “We were thrilled to host the hackathon in collaboration with Al Hathboor Bikal.ai, which served as an opportunity for our students to showcase their talents and unleash their creativity. The hackathon empowered 42 Abu Dhabi’s students to leverage their coding skills to develop advanced technologies which can drive meaningful change within the community. This cements our leading position as a talent incubator that is upskilling a new generation of coders who are equipped to accelerate the Emirate’s digital transformation and make a positive impact on society.”

Raj Sandhu, General Manager of Al Hathboor Bikal.ai, said, “We at Al Hathboor Bikal.ai are proud to collaborate with 42 Abu Dhabi in spearheading technological advancements through coding and practical sciences. AHB is pleased to be part of the very first Computer Vision hackathon in collaboration with 42 Abu Dhabi. We extend our appreciation to the participants and 42 Abu Dhabi Faculty’s unwavering support, and we look forward to future collaboration opportunities.”