AU Arms DPCA with Innovative Gadgets
Ajman University (AU), committed to the Emirate’s economy and security, has equipped the Department of Port & Customs Ajman (DPCA) with an array of innovative gadgets.
To this effect, the Ajman University Innovation Center (AUIC) and the Department of Port & Customs Ajman (DPCA) have organized a competition for innovators, entrepreneurs and talented people.
The move, aimed to provide the best customs innovations to the Department using the tools of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, helps heighten security, boost revenues, and serve the strategic objectives of the Emirate and the Department.
H.E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Department, and Ajman University Chancellor Dr. Karim Seghir, Ph.D., honored the top five winners.
Sultan Bin Bader seized the first rank and a cash prize of Dh5,000 for his "Robot Inspector" which provides various customs services. It perfectly examines and dismantles goods and can even check the same if they are not possible to open.
The robot, fitted with special equipment, can pass through any container with no need to offload the goods in, and rather do all these tasks distantly without any human intervention.
The second position and a cash prize of Dh3,000 went to Saroush Khalid in recognition to her project "RAPICS"; a smart phone application that enables DPCA staff to communicate and share information.
The smart application, proved to be cost-effective and hassle-free alternative to radio room, helps customs inspectors identify their location within the customs centre.
Reem Al Marzouki came third and received a cash prize of Dh2,000 for her "Fakes Detector" which distinguishes between original and counterfeit products without having to process the tested material by matching the chemical properties of the original product and duplicate items. The gadget instantly shows the results without waiting for lab test report as was the case before.
The fourth place and a cash prize of Dh1,000 were presented to a team of three, including Eng. Yacoub Al Ali, Noura Al Kitbi and Aisha Al Ali, for their project "Container Temperature and Humidity Meter".
The pioneering appliance monitors the temperature and humidity of the containers before opening them. It can also be developed to measure the proportion of radiation in any container without having to open it.
Wissam Shahib, Saif Hussein and Ali Mohammed Reda ranked fifth and won Dh1,000 for their "HIS Security Inspection” device which can speed up security screening process in customs.
It effectively detects any contraband, drugs, as well as damaged fruits and vegetables using Image Recognition Technology. The camera used can display data in real time by scanning the object using different spectral ranges.
The competition aims to attract brilliant ideas that can be transformed into valuable projects, to encourage scientific institutions to integrate into government work, and to encourage academics to carry out research and studies related to customs work.
These innovations shall be helpful in improving customs operations, intensifying security, and bolstering the Emirate's economy (import and export operations), and enhancing customs inspection.
The competition has received 24 projects, 13 of which were presented to the arbitration committee that included Mr. Nasser Al Suwaidi, Director of Maritime Affairs, Dr. Xu Luo Chung, Director - AUIC, Eng. Mohammed Balula, Deputy Director – AUIC, and Ms. Iman Al Madhani, a DPCA representative.
