Global Grad Show Receives Applications from Students and Professors across 125 universities in 40 countries for initiative addressing COVID-19 Collateral Issues

• Global Grad Show, an initiative by the Art Dubai Group, launched an open call for university professors and students around the world to look for solutions to COVID-19 collateral issues. 
• The application phase ran between March 16 and April 2, receiving 390 entries by undergraduates, graduates and professors from 125 universities in 40 countries.
• Applications were evaluated by a jury including experts in innovation, technology and new ventures, whose input will inform the next assessment phase
• In the coming month, Global Grad Show will undergo a detailed analysis of the requirements of the recommend proposals, with a view to identify which can be supported towards implementation.       
• Proposals profile:
• Academic backgrounds ranged from technology to design, statistics and medicine, from institutions such as MIT, Harvard, Oxford and Imperial College alongside universities in developing economies such as Kenya, Iraq, Pakistan, Mexico and The Philippines. 
• 8 UAE universities submitted 20 entries, ranging from a low-cost sticker that clocks handwashing time to a future-looking study on how Dubai can cope with the pandemic from a city design point of view. 

o   Proposals addressed urgent needs (e.g. medical supplies), short-term priorities (e.g. mental health during isolation) and long-term strategies (e.g. epidemic-ready urban infrastructure).

Global Grad Show is a leading social impact innovation platform for graduate students across the world, including India. It gives first-hand access to the next generation of innovators who are designing solutions for a better world. Held in partnership with Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), and supported by A.R.M. Holding and Dubai Culture, this first of its kind (special edition) program is extending its efforts, beyond the yearly program, to involve the global academic network looking for solutions only related to COVID-19 collateral issues.

The program has received 390 entries from 125 universities in 40 countries during the application phase of its initiative. India has also been an active participant in the competition. Here are a few entries that universities from India have submitted as a part of this initiative

AVEAR – A wearable unit to keep our hands clean and away from our face

The most effective way of protecting against the virus is to keep our hands clean and away from our face. When users unconsciously move their hand towards their face, the odor from the capsule on AVEAR remind them of their action. The user can then use the sanitising tube to disinfect their hands. By Rajeesh Nittor, National Institute of Design, Bangalore

Untapped – A mat to unlock the door with your feet

Project Untapped Mat reduces the risk of contagion through surfaces by creating a doormat that can unlock the door. The doormat is connected through an electronic circuit and works based on sensors. Similar to entering passwords with buttons, users can tap a certain pattern with their foot to complete the lock functions. By Saksham Panda, National Institute of Design,

Gandhinagar

SiliM – A reusable medical mask for front-line workers

Healthcare workers around the world are facing a shortage of medical-grade personal protection equipment and are forced to create masks through available resources. SiliM is a mask for medical workers made from medical grade silicone and can be sterilized using conventional methods, including UV light, chemical treatment or autoclaving. By Ajinkya Bhalchandra, MIT ADT