5 September 2026 3:08 pm
World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development 2026

World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development 2026

Mar 25, 2026

Scientist in lab coat handling samples in a research facility, focusing on sustainable practices. by ThisIsEngineering via pexels

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World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development 2026 features Omantel as an official partner

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Contributed by: Presswire

24 March, 2026

Presswire associated0

[PRESSWIRE] London, UK – 24 March, 2026 — Omantel has been named as an official partner for World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development (WED) 2026, the annual initiative highlighting the essential role that engineers and engineering plays around the world.

As a pioneer in telecommunications, Omantel plays a key role in developing inclusive and more environmentally friendly communications technology not just in Oman, but further afield.

“Technology must create real value for people and the communities it serves,” says Lujaina Al Kharusi, VP of Governance, Regulatory and Compliance at Omantel. “Engineering is fundamental to that progress, enabling stronger connectivity, smarter services and resilient digital infrastructure. Sustainable development, however, depends on how responsibly and collaboratively these capabilities are applied. As Oman advances its digital transformation in line with Vision 2040, our responsibility is to build intelligent networks that support inclusive growth and long-term economic resilience. We are proud to partner with World Engineering Day 2026 to recognise the engineers who turn innovation into meaningful impact for society.”

World Engineering Day launched in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 4 March 2026, marking the start of a year-long campaign of events, films, features and news. The focus of this year’s theme is “Smart engineering for a sustainable future through innovation and digitalisation”.

An official International Day, as proclaimed by UNESCO, WED is operated by the World Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEO), the global body that spans members from more than 100 countries and represents over 30 million engineers worldwide.

WED 2026 provides governments, UN-associated organisations, policymakers, educators and leaders in the public and private sectors with the opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of engineering. All campaign content will be produced by SJH Studios – the official media partner and broadcaster for WED – and hosted on the official WED website at http://www.worldengineeringday.net.

Seng-Chuan Tan, President of the WFEO, says: “World Engineering Day brings together engineers, governments, academia, industries and individuals to exchange ideas, drive innovation and take meaningful action. Collaboration is essential – we must work together to transform innovative ideas into real-world impact. When we bring together different voices, perspectives and expertise, we create stronger, more sustainable solutions.”

Ludovica Bellomaria, SJH Group Director, Operations, says: “World Engineering Day is a unique opportunity for organisations to share the best of what the industry has to offer, so we’re excited to have Omantel providing their expertise in telecommunications as an official partner.”

To view Omantel’s WED content, visit: https://worldengineeringday.net/partner/omantel/

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Sustainable Breakthrough in Low-Cost Materials Innovations

Sustainable Breakthrough in Low-Cost Materials Innovations

Mar 24, 2026

A small plant sprouts in soil inside a light bulb, symbolizing eco-friendly and sustainable growth. by Singkham via pexels

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Sustainable breakthrough in low-cost materials for next-generation energy harvesting

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Peer-Reviewed Publication

University of Surrey

EurekAlert 23 March 2026

A new sustainable approach to energy harvesting could transform how wasted heat is turned into electricity, thanks to a breakthrough in low-cost, flexible materials developed by researchers at the University of Surrey’s Advanced Technology Institute (ATI).

Thermoelectric devices generate electricity from temperature differences, offering a way to capture large amounts of wasted energy from industrial processes, electronics and even the human body. This kind of energy harvesting is already used in some instances to power small sensors, wearable devices and Internet of Things (IoT) devices without batteries, but the most efficient materials used today are typically expensive, brittle and difficult to recycle.

In a new study, published in Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research, the research team outline a new way of designing thermoelectric materials using metal–polymer superlattices – ultra-thin layered structures that boost performance while avoiding the cost and environmental impact of conventional materials.

Researchers combined thin metal layers with a widely used organic polymer, called PEDOT:PSS – improving performance by up to 100 times compared to the base material. They also showed that by selecting different metals, they could control whether the material behaves as a p-type or n-type semiconductor – a key requirement for building practical thermoelectric devices.

James G. Neil, PhD Researcher and lead author of the study from the ATI at the University of Surrey, said:

“By understanding and controlling how charge moves through these layered materials, we’ve created a framework that significantly improves performance while keeping the system simple and scalable. This provides a new route for designing the next generation of organic thermoelectric materials.”

Professor Ravi Silva, Director of the ATI at the University of Surrey, said:

“This work opens a pathway toward low-cost, environmentally responsible thermoelectric devices that can be integrated into real-world systems – from wearable technologies to industrial low-grade heat energy recovery. It’s a step towards energy harvesting solutions that combine high performance with sustainability, perfectly aligned with the sustainable development goals.”

The research offers a scalable and more sustainable alternative to traditional thermoelectric materials, opening new possibilities for powering everyday devices and even future space missions. The findings also highlight the potential of combining advanced nanostructures with sustainable materials to help tackle global energy challenges – especially the urgent need to recover waste heat, given that roughly 80 per cent of global energy input is lost as low-grade waste heat.

 

Notes to editors 

Journal

Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research

DOI :  10.1002/aesr.202500479 

Article T

itle: Sustainable Framework for Thermoelectric Inorganic-In-Organic Superlattices With High Power Factor and Selective P- or N-Type Doping

Article Publication Date: 12-Mar-2026

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Six MENA Startups Tackling Water Scarcity Issues

Six MENA Startups Tackling Water Scarcity Issues

Mar 20, 2026

A vast arid landscape showing cracked earth, water, and sparse greenery under a clear sky. by Feyza Daştan via pexels

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Six MENA Startups Tackling Water Scarcity Through Climate Tech

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Hassan Tarek CairoSCENE – 19 March 2026

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From extracting water out of thin air to deploying AI leak detection, these MENA startups are building practical solutions for one of the region’s most urgent climate risks.

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Six MENA Startups Tackling Water Scarcity Issues

Doha West Bay, Qatar

Water scarcity in the MENA region is not a distant concern. As it stands, it is a defining challenge of the region’s present and future. MENA is widely recognised as the most water-stressed region on Earth, with a vast majority of its population living in areas of high or extreme water scarcity, and 11 of the 17 most water-stressed countries globally located there.

Agriculture accounts for more than 80% of total water withdrawals in the region, far above the global average, while rapid urban and industrial growth compounds demand on limited freshwater resources. Climate change amplifies these pressures by intensifying droughts, increasing evaporation rates, and making rainfall patterns more unpredictable.

The consequences extend beyond parched landscapes: millions lack reliable access to clean water and basic sanitation, affecting health, livelihoods and economic productivity. Traditional solutions like large dams, expanded piped networks or energy-intensive desalination are costly, slow to scale, and often environmentally burdensome in a region already grappling with climate stresses.

This context has sparked a wave of entrepreneurial innovation aimed at reimagining water access, efficiency and sustainability. Startups across the MENA region are developing technologies that produce water from the atmosphere, optimise usage with real-time monitoring, and harness renewable energy to deliver and manage water more responsibly. These seven ventures are building the adaptive, technology-driven water systems that MENA’s communities, industries and ecosystems urgently need.

Kumulus Water — Tunisia

Founded in 2021 by Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid, Kumulus Water develops atmospheric water generators that produce drinking water directly from humidity in the air. The Tunisia-based startup designs decentralised units that condense, filter and mineralise water without relying on piped infrastructure, making them suited to off-grid or water-stressed environments. Its systems have been deployed in schools, businesses and public spaces, including installations at Enfidha-Hammamet International Airport. Backed by a multimillion-euro seed round, the company is expanding into wider MENA markets, positioning atmospheric water generation as a scalable complement to strained municipal systems.

Manhat — United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi–based Manhat has developed a patented water distillation technology that captures evaporated moisture from open water surfaces and condenses it into usable freshwater. Founded by Dr. Saeed Alhassan Alkhazraji and Vishnu Vijayan Pillai in 2019, it was designed to operate without conventional desalination processes or brine discharge, the system mimics aspects of the natural water cycle. The approach is particularly relevant in Gulf countries that rely heavily on energy-intensive desalination. Manhat has participated in international climate and innovation forums, reflecting growing interest in alternative freshwater production methods tailored to arid coastal regions.

SmartWTI — Jordan

Founded by Heba Asa’d and Omar Asa’d in 2021, SmartWTI, headquartered in Amman, builds IoT and AI-powered water management systems that monitor flow, pressure and leakage in real time. By combining sensors with cloud-based analytics, the startup helps municipalities, farms and institutions identify inefficiencies and reduce water loss. In Jordan — one of the most water-scarce countries globally — reducing leakage and improving allocation is as critical as increasing supply. Through pilot projects and accelerator participation, SmartWTI is working to modernise how water infrastructure is monitored and managed across the region.

WaterSec — Tunisia

WaterSec is a Tunis-based startup focused on smart water monitoring for commercial and industrial users. The company was co-founded by Ahmed Slim Bouakez, Khoubeib Tlili, Mohamed Guenbri, Zoubeir Zarrouk, and Yasmine Ben Miloud in 2021. Its IoT-enabled platform provides real-time consumption data, leak detection and performance analytics, allowing organizations to track and reduce water use. The company works with sectors such as textiles, agri-food and hospitality — industries that face mounting regulatory and environmental pressure to improve efficiency. In a country grappling with prolonged droughts, digital oversight tools like these are becoming increasingly relevant to sustainable resource management.

YY ReGen — Lebanon

Beirut-based YY ReGen integrates solar energy systems with water-efficient irrigation technologies for agricultural communities. Co-founded by Hasan Jaafar, Amer Khayyat, and Dr. Munira Khayyat in 2021, the company develops renewable-powered pumping and drip irrigation solutions aimed at reducing both diesel dependency and excessive water use. In Lebanon and across MENA, agriculture consumes the majority of freshwater resources, often through inefficient systems. By pairing energy transition with smarter irrigation, YY ReGen addresses two intersecting vulnerabilities: water scarcity and rising fuel costs.

SolarisKit — United Arab Emirates


SolarisKit, founded in 2019 by Dr. Faisal Ghani, develops solar thermal collectors engineered for high-temperature Gulf climates, enabling buildings to heat water using renewable energy instead of grid electricity or fossil fuels. While primarily an energy solution, water heating represents a significant share of household and commercial energy demand. By reducing the carbon intensity and cost of heating water, SolarisKit contributes to lowering the broader environmental footprint tied to water use in the region. The startup has received recognition in UAE innovation competitions for its decentralised clean-energy design.

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Saudi Arabia Geospatial Analytics Market Growth Insights

Saudi Arabia Geospatial Analytics Market Growth Insights

Mar 19, 2026

Aerial view of Riyadh’s skyline featuring modern skyscrapers on a clear day. by Md Amir Umar via pexels

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Saudi Arabia Geospatial Analytics Market: Smart Cities, GIS Integration & Growth Outlook

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How AI-powered spatial intelligence, real-time geolocation data, and smart city initiatives are enhancing planning accuracy, risk assessment, and decision-making across the Saudi Arabia geospatial analytics market.
By Shubham Sharma
Published FUTURISM 19 March 2026

 

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Rising smart city development, satellite technology advancement, and government-led infrastructure modernization are driving geospatial analytics adoption in Saudi Arabia, supported by Vision 2030 initiatives, expanding e-commerce logistics, and growing demand for location-based intelligence across urban planning, natural resource management, and disaster response applications. According to IMARC Group’s latest data, the Saudi Arabia geospatial analytics market size was valued at USD 3.6 Million in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group estimates the market to reach USD 7.7 Million by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.15% from 2025-2033.

Geospatial analytics now represents a cornerstone technology for Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation, powering everything from giga-project planning and smart city operations to oil exploration and environmental monitoring. The market benefits from substantial government investments in National Spatial Data Infrastructure, growing availability of high-resolution satellite imagery, and expanding applications across diverse sectors. Major technologies include Geographic Information Systems, remote sensing platforms, Global Navigation Satellite Systems, and location-based services, with organizations prioritizing real-time spatial data analysis, AI-powered mapping solutions, and integrated decision-making platforms supporting Vision 2030’s ambitious development targets across NEOM, Red Sea Project, and urban centers throughout the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia Geospatial Analytics Market Growth Drivers:
    • Vision 2030 Giga-Projects and Smart City Infrastructure Development

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 allocates SAR 1.285 Trillion in spending to development programs driving large-scale geospatial analytics adoption across transformative projects. NEOM’s linear urban design depends on continuous spatial modeling for infrastructure routing, environmental monitoring, and visitor services, while The Red Sea Project, AMAALA, Diriyah, and AlUla leverage GIS technology for superior planning, city operations, and sustainable resource management. Government and smart-city authorities generated 27.84% of spending, driven by Vision 2030 digital-service targets requiring ministries to track infrastructure spending and environmental metrics. With 97% of government services now digitized according to recent data, location-based analysis becomes essential for processing datasets supporting urban development. The SR 1.3 Trillion budget for 2025 directs substantial resources toward infrastructure, transport, and housing, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to extensive development powered by geospatial intelligence.

    • Rapid Advancement in Satellite and Remote Sensing Technologies

Technological innovations in satellite and remote sensing capabilities are revolutionizing Saudi Arabia’s geospatial analytics landscape through enhanced data accuracy and real-time monitoring capabilities. The UAE’s Etihad-SAT radar Earth Observation satellite launched in March 2025 provides high-resolution, all-weather, day-and-night imaging supporting GIS, urban planning, environmental monitoring, and smart city systems across the region. Neo Space Group, Saudi Arabia’s leading commercial space services provider backed by the Public Investment Fund, partnered with SuperMap Software in March 2025 to enhance Geographic Information System services and bolster the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiatives. Abundant Earth-observation data unlocks real-time monitoring use cases while hyperscale data-center rollouts lower total cost of ownership. These technologies enable applications ranging from environmental monitoring to disaster management and defense, with government agencies and businesses acquiring improved capabilities to monitor and analyze vast geographies at unprecedented precision levels.

    • Growing E-Commerce and Logistics Sector Driving Location Intelligence Demand

The rapid expansion of Saudi Arabia’s e-commerce industry is creating substantial demand for geospatial analytics solutions optimizing supply chains and last-mile delivery operations. The e-commerce sector is projected to reach SAR 50 Billion, reflecting strong compound annual growth driven by 90% smartphone penetration facilitating access to geospatial applications. Companies increasingly rely on geospatial data to streamline operations, monitor shipments, and enhance delivery effectiveness through GIS tools analyzing spatial patterns, reviewing traffic situations, and identifying optimal routes. The IMARC Group predicts the Saudi Arabia e-commerce market will reach USD 708.7 Billion by 2033, with retail and location-based services projected to lead growth at 12.52% as malls, quick-service restaurants, and e-commerce firms harness footfall analytics for site selection. Enhanced delivery tracking and route optimization become essential for meeting consumer expectations in this expanding digital marketplace.

Saudi Arabia Geospatial Analytics Market Trends:
    • Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Geospatial Analysis

Artificial intelligence integration is transforming Saudi geospatial analytics through enhanced pattern recognition, automated feature extraction, and predictive modeling capabilities. In January 2025, Kidana, a leading Saudi real estate developer, partnered with iSolution and Google Cloud at the Hajj and Umrah Conference & Exhibition, becoming one of the region’s first organizations adopting Cloud GPUs on Google Cloud. This innovation opens powerful capabilities for processing complex geospatial data and high-performance computing, supporting Saudi Arabia’s vision for cloud-first and digital innovation. AI-powered mapping solutions enable automated change detection, environmental monitoring, and urban growth prediction with unprecedented accuracy. Organizations leverage machine learning algorithms to process vast satellite imagery datasets, identify patterns invisible to human analysis, and generate actionable insights for planning decisions. As geospatial AI advances, the Kingdom positions itself at the forefront of intelligent spatial analytics applications.

    • Establishment of National Spatial Data Infrastructure and Data Localization

The General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information is building comprehensive National Spatial Data Infrastructure providing foundation for geospatial sector growth. GASGI created the NSDI portal using ArcGIS Enterprise, configuring dedicated sites for 12 fundamental datasets enabling organizations to access authoritative data, create modern websites without additional coding, and improve data transparency and collaboration. In April 2025, Saudi Arabia moved to ninth rank globally in the Geospatial Knowledge Infrastructure Readiness Index from 32nd rank in 2022, ranking first in the Middle East and Arab world, and sixth among G20 countries. The National Spatial Strategy emphasizes data-driven policymaking and strategic planning in national development initiatives. Competitive dynamics center on data-localization compliance, with firms bundling imagery, software, and domain consulting gaining traction among agencies facing tight Vision 2030 deadlines, strengthening domestic geospatial capabilities.

    • Expanding Applications in Disaster Management and Climate Resilience

Saudi Arabia is investing in sophisticated geospatial analytics enhancing disaster management capabilities and climate adaptation strategies. Natural disasters including floods, earthquakes, and sandstorms drive necessity for improved preparedness through real-time monitoring, risk assessment, and emergency response planning facilitated by geospatial technologies. Government agencies utilize geo-analysis determining vulnerability zones, mapping evacuation routes, and undertaking effective resource allocation during distress situations. Advanced GIS simulations pinpoint vulnerable areas guiding smarter planning and enabling rapid response measures. The growing prevalence of climate-related incidents combined with satellite technology advancement drives demand for converged geospatial analytics solutions supporting disaster management. Applications extend to environmental monitoring, water resource management in arid regions, and alignment with FAO-backed efficiency pilots for agriculture programs using remote sensing to optimize irrigation in water-scarce zones throughout the Kingdom.

Recent News and Developments in Saudi Arabia Geospatial Analytics Market
    • April 2025: Saudi Arabia achieved ninth rank globally in the 2025 Geospatial Knowledge Infrastructure Readiness Index, advancing from 32nd position in 2022, demonstrating consistent development in spatial sciences. Led by the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information, the Kingdom ranked first in the Middle East and Arab world, and sixth among G20 countries, reflecting substantial investments in geospatial infrastructure and capability building supporting Vision 2030 objectives.
    • March 2025: Neo Space Group, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund-owned space and satellite company, partnered with Beijing-based SuperMap Software to enhance Geographic Information System services throughout the Kingdom. This strategic alliance bolsters development of Saudi Arabia’s geospatial sector, supporting Vision 2030 initiatives through technological advancement and strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a regional leader in spatial intelligence and satellite services.
    • January 2025: Esri signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Neo Space Group during the Esri Saudi User Conference 2025 held in Riyadh. The partnership represents a major step toward solidifying the geospatial sector in Saudi Arabia, bringing together Esri’s global GIS leadership with NSG’s commercial space services capabilities. The MoU was sealed by Neo Space Group CEO Martijn Blanken and Esri founder and president Jack Dangermond, establishing framework for advancing geospatial technologies across the Kingdom.

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Why Architecture Determines the Future of AI Growth

Why Architecture Determines the Future of AI Growth

Mar 9, 2026

Close-up of a robotic arm playing chess against a human, showcasing AI technology in a classic board game setting.  by Pavel Danilyuk via pexels

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Why Architecture Determines the Future of AI Innovation

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Marilie Fouche,  emerj – March 9, 2026

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Enterprises today face a structural information problem. The majority of new business data is unstructured — documents, emails, contracts, and multimedia scattered across fragmented systems.

IDC estimates that 90% of the data generated by organizations in 2022 was unstructured. A study by Bar‑Ilan University researchers shows that employees lose meaningful portions of their workweek to information searches, with more than 10% spending over a full workday each week on avoidable retrieval waste.

As this sprawl grows, organizations struggle to maintain consistent taxonomies, permissions, and governance. NIST SP 1800‑39 exposes how these inconsistencies break Zero Trust Architecture and prevent AI models from being trained on authoritative data. Slowing decisions, increasing exposure, and limiting the value enterprises can extract from their information.

The bottleneck is no longer data scarcity but data sprawl. Generative AI raises the stakes: its value depends entirely on the quality, structure, and accessibility of enterprise data — and most organizations are not architected to support it.

In a recent interview, Daniel Fagella, founder of Emerj Artificial Intelligence Research, sat with Aaron Levie, CEO of Box, to discuss how enterprises can re-architect their systems to survive the AI race.

Their conversation highlights two critical strategic insights:​

  • Modular architecture as an AI advantage: A services‑oriented platform lets enterprises plug in new AI models quickly while preserving governance and avoiding vendor lock‑in.
  • AI‑ready data organization as a prerequisite for value: Normalizing unstructured data and permissions across systems enables AI to retrieve authoritative information and support document‑heavy workflows reliably.

Listen to the full episode below:​

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Guest: Aaron Levie, CEO, Box ​

Expertise: Enterprise Architecture, Data Governance, SaaS Innovation

Brief Recognition: Aaron Levie is the co‑founder and CEO of Box, a leading enterprise cloud content platform. He has guided Box’s transformation into a cornerstone of secure, AI‑driven content management and is widely recognized for his leadership in SaaS innovation and enterprise AI strategy.

Modular Architecture as an AI Advantage

Levie frames the model ecosystem as a moving target, one that shifts faster than enterprise systems can adapt. In his view, the only sustainable response is to design for change itself. That means treating AI models as interchangeable components rather than architectural commitments.

Box’s platform reflects that philosophy. Instead of binding workflows, permissions, and data flows to a single model, Box routes everything through a middleware layer that abstracts the model away entirely. The result is an environment where adopting a new model is an operational choice, not a multi‑quarter project.

“You can’t predict which model will be best six months from now. So the architecture has to assume you’ll change your mind. We built the system so we can plug in a new model the same day it becomes available — without rewriting everything underneath.”

— Aaron Levie, CEO of Box

This approach shifts the economics of AI adoption:

  • Model evaluation becomes continuous rather than episodic.
  • Governance remains stable even as the underlying reasoning engine changes,and
  • Vendor lock‑in becomes a strategic option rather than an inevitability.

For Levie, modularity isn’t a technical preference — it’s the only way to keep pace with an ecosystem defined by rapid, uneven innovation.

AI‑Ready Data Organization as a Prerequisite for Value

Levie’s view is that most enterprise AI failures trace back to one issue: the model is reasoning over disorganized, permission‑inconsistent content. When documents, messages, and records live across dozens of systems with different structures and access rules, AI cannot determine what is authoritative or what a user is allowed to see, and the output becomes unreliable.

Box addresses this by creating a federated content layer that normalizes metadata, permissions, and relationships across repositories. The goal is not to centralize files, but to give AI a consistent, permission‑aware map of the enterprise’s unstructured data.

As Levie explains:

“Getting all your content into one place isn’t the hard part. The hard part is giving the AI enough context to understand what that content means — who owns it, how it relates to other documents, and what the user is actually allowed to see. Without that structure, the model isn’t being intelligent; it’s taking a guess.”

— Aaron Levie, CEO of Box

A unified content layer provides AI with the context needed for document‑heavy workflows. In practice, it enables:

  • Accurate retrieval: The model surfaces the correct version of a document or policy.
  • Permission‑aligned responses: Access controls remain intact across every query.
  • Cross‑repository visibility: Teams can work across systems without migrating data.
  • Lower error rates: Consistent metadata reduces hallucinations and incomplete answers.
  • Faster deployment: New AI use cases plug into the existing content layer without re‑indexing.

For Levie, data readiness is the foundation of trustworthy AI. Without a consistent, permission‑aware content layer, enterprises are effectively asking models to reason over noise. With it, AI can support high‑stakes workflows with far greater reliability.

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