On 20 May 2026, CIBSE MENA officially launched the CIBSE Student Design Competition 2026, bringing together students, academics and industry professionals from across the region to mark the start of this year's competition.
The 2026 competition invited the next generation of engineers, architects and sustainability professionals to look beyond individual buildings and consider how entire neighbourhoods and districts can become connected, resilient and future-ready communities.
2026 Competition Theme
Integrated Lifestyle Communities: Engineering Net Zero Districts by 2050
The 2026 theme challenged students to rethink the built environment at a district scale, exploring how energy, water, mobility, digital infrastructure, carbon, health and social wellbeing can work together to support the transition towards net zero.
The competition aligns with the ambition of achieving Net Zero by 2050 and encourages solutions relevant to the UAE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region.
Launch Event
The launch event featured contributions from leading academics and CIBSE MENA representatives, including:
Dr. Bhakti More
Manipal University, Dubai
Dr. Hassan Ali
University of Birmingham, Dubai
Syed Atam Hayat
CIBSE MENA Education Liaison Lead
Imran Shaikh
CIBSE MENA Chair
The proceedings were officially opened by Imran Shaikh, who reflected on the growing relevance of the competition and introduced this year's theme.
In his welcome, Imran highlighted the importance of moving beyond the traditional building-scale approach and encouraged students to reimagine neighbourhoods and districts as integrated, living systems, balancing energy, water, transport, digital infrastructure and social wellbeing while progressing towards net zero outcomes.
A Challenge Beyond the Building
The 2026 competition asked participants to explore how future-ready districts can be designed around integrated systems and infrastructure.
Proposals were expected to consider the relationship between:
while incorporating smart infrastructure and data-driven systems.
Key areas of focus included:
- District Energy Systems
- Smart Infrastructure
- Low-carbon Mobility
- Water & Circular Resources
- Climate Resilience
- Health & Wellbeing
Students were encouraged to consider innovative approaches such as microgrids, district cooling, smart mobility and digital tools for continuous improvement, while demonstrating better energy performance and a lower carbon footprint.
The competition sought solutions that combine innovation, inclusivity, resilience and sustainability, with clear relevance to the MENA context.
Student Design Competition - 2026
Shortlisted Entries Announced
Following the close of submissions, all competition entries have now been received and assessed, and the shortlisted entries have been announced.
The response to the 2026 competition brought together students from universities across the UAE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region, with participants developing proposals around the challenge of creating integrated, resilient and future-ready communities.
The shortlisted teams demonstrated a range of approaches to district-scale design, bringing together perspectives from engineering, architecture, sustainability, environmental science and digital infrastructure.
The Final Stage
The shortlisted teams will now progress to the final stage of the competition, with their work being considered by the 2026 judging panel.
Their proposals will be assessed against the published competition criteria, considering their technical approach, innovation, sustainability, resilience and relevance to the MENA context.
A Step Towards the Final
The shortlist represents the next stage in a competition designed to give students an opportunity to apply their knowledge to a complex, real-world challenge facing the built environment.
From individual buildings to entire districts, the shortlisted proposals demonstrate how the next generation can think beyond conventional design and explore connected solutions for the communities of tomorrow.
Congratulations to the shortlisted students and teams in the CIBSE MENA Student Design Competition 2026.
The shortlisted entries represent a diverse range of ideas exploring how integrated energy, water, mobility, digital infrastructure, carbon, resilience and wellbeing can contribute to future-ready communities across the MENA region.
2026 Shortlist
University
Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi
Title
Vitafy
Students
Afra Akmal, Tamadur Elyas
University
University of Birmingham, Dubai
Title
District Futura
Students
Ammar Ali Khan
University
Heriot Watt University, Dubai
Title
Al Mizaan District: A Pathway to Net-Zero by 2050
Students
Arsalan Ul Haque, Nabiha Najam
University
Al Asala College, Dammam
Title
Riyadh 2050: A Digital-Twin Pathway to a Climate-Resilient Net-Zero District
Students
Sarah Alghamdi
University
Manipal University, Dubai
Title
Team Nova: Community Retrofit
Students
Biji Sara Binu
University
Higher College of Technology, Dubai
Title
Oasis DIAC
Students
Bereket Kebede & Japi Gezachew
University
Hashemite University-Jordan
Title
AI-Driven Inverse Design Framework-Net zero districts
Students
Maryam Omar and Sanad Ahmad
University
Manipal University, Dubai
Title
Retrofitting from adaptive reuse to adaptive intelligence
Students
Sahana Ravi, Mame Binata, Abdul Rahiman
University
Manipal University, Dubai
Title
Roster driven decarbonisation of high density typologies
Students
Sai Tharun, Arthy Mayura, Adhitya
University
Al Farahidi University, Iraq
Title
Naya 2050
Students
Raimah Ammar
University
Heriot Watt University, Dubai
Title
Masdar+ A net zero district design for 2050
Students
Christine Acebuche, Aina Shams, Sajal Agarwal, Layba Syed
University
Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport, Giza, Egypt
Title
Rawafid-Integrated Lifestyle Communities
Students
Selim Mostafa, Yousef Zaky
Congratulations to All Shortlisted Teams
The shortlisted students now progress to the next stage of the CIBSE MENA Student Design Competition 2026. We look forward to celebrating their ideas, creativity and contribution to the future of sustainable communities.
The future is yours to engineer.
Meet the 2026 Judging Panel
The 2026 competition brings together a panel of regional and industry experts to assess the shortlisted entries and identify the proposals that demonstrate the strongest response to this year's challenge.
The judges will consider how effectively each shortlisted proposal responds to the competition's district-scale challenge.
What Will the Judges Consider?
The shortlisted proposals will be considered against a range of technical, environmental and social criteria, including:
- Energy performance and carbon reduction
- Integration of energy, water, waste and mobility
- Smart infrastructure and digital systems
- Climate resilience
- Innovation and practical application
- Health, wellbeing and inclusivity
- Relevance to the MENA region
- Potential to contribute towards future-ready, net-zero communities
A Platform for the Next Generation
The judging process provides an opportunity for students to have their ideas reviewed by experienced professionals working across the built environment and related disciplines.
The focus is not only on innovative ideas, but on how effectively those ideas can respond to the technical, environmental and social challenges of creating future-ready communities.

James Mowat
Recruitment Director, Kent Data Centres
James Mowat is Recruitment Director at Kent Data Centres, with over 20 years of experience recruiting across the MEP, built environment and data centre sectors internationally. Throughout his career, he has worked with leading consultancies, contractors, developers, owners and PMCs across the MENA region, UK, Europe, USA and APAC, developing expertise in recruitment, executive search and strategic team building.
With two decades of experience supporting the MEP industry in the Middle East, James has developed a strong understanding of the sector and its evolving talent requirements. He is a regular contributor to the industry and has served as a judge for several leading industry awards and student competitions, including the CIBSE MENA Awards, MEP Middle East Awards, ISHRAE Middle East Awards and the CIBSE MENA Student Design Competition. James is particularly passionate about supporting the next generation of engineering talent and actively contributes to initiatives that encourage and recognise emerging professionals.

Satayef Kassab Bashi
MEP Division Manager, GECO M&E Ltd
Satayef Kassab Bashi is MEP Division Manager at GECO M&E Ltd, with over 20 years of MEP contracting experience across the UAE, Turkey and the wider MENA region. Having progressed from mechanical engineering through technical, commercial and leadership roles, he brings a strong understanding of the full project lifecycle, from design and estimation through procurement, construction and delivery.
In his current role, Satayef leads MEP operations across multiple projects, with responsibility for project performance, commercial management, team development and operational strategy. He has been instrumental in strengthening GECO's PMO and estimation functions, while driving digitalisation and the adoption of AI tools to improve project delivery and business performance. Satayef holds an M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Koç University, Istanbul, and a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara. Fluent in Arabic, English and Turkish, he brings a broad regional perspective and a practical understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the MEP industry.

Nadia Jones
Procurement & Supply Chain Manager, ALEC Engineering Holding (ALEMCO)
Nadia Jones is Procurement & Supply Chain Manager at ALEC Engineering Holding (ALEMCO), with over 25 years of MEP experience across major construction, infrastructure and real estate projects throughout the Middle East. With a background in electrical engineering, she brings extensive expertise in MEP procurement, cost control, value engineering, business development and project management.
Since joining ALEMCO in 2015, Nadia has led its Centralised Procurement Department, having been headhunted to establish and develop the function. Under her leadership, the team has consistently exceeded budget targets, while she has introduced nearly 500 new suppliers and contributed to savings of more than AED 160 million on equipment and materials over a three-year period. Her project portfolio includes Abu Dhabi Stargate Data Center, One Zabeel, Bvlgari Hotel & Residences Dubai, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, NEOM Marriott Bonvoy Sindalah Island and Wynn Resort Ras Al Khaimah. Nadia holds a Master of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering from the Technical University of Sofia, Bulgaria, and is a three-time ALEC Innovation Award recipient.

Samiuddin Mohammad
Deputy General Manager, FujSeng Construction LLC
Samiuddin Mohammad is Deputy General Manager at FujSeng Construction LLC, with over 25 years of experience in engineering, MEP services, facilities management and construction across the UAE, Oman and the wider region. With 24 years of his career based in the UAE, he brings extensive expertise in HVAC design, installation, testing and commissioning, project and contract management, facilities operations and energy management.
Throughout his career, Samiuddin has progressed from engineering and project roles into senior design, facilities management and executive leadership positions. His experience spans the full project and asset lifecycle, from building services design and construction through commissioning, contract management, facilities operations, maintenance and asset assessment. He has a strong focus on energy efficiency, sustainability and performance optimisation, with expertise in energy and carbon audits, preventive maintenance and life-cycle costing. His professional credentials include Chartered Engineer with CIBSE, Certified Energy Manager, Certified Carbon Auditing Professional, LEED AP BD+C, Certified Facility Manager and Project Management Professional.

S. M. Zeeshan Karim
Senior Mechanical Engineer, KEO International Consultants
S. M. Zeeshan Karim is a Senior Mechanical Engineer at KEO International Consultants, with extensive experience in MEP engineering, project delivery and construction supervision across major developments in the UAE. His project experience spans residential, mixed-use, hospitality, staff accommodation and luxury developments, giving him a broad understanding of the requirements involved in delivering complex MEP systems.
His technical expertise covers HVAC, plumbing, drainage, firefighting, ventilation, MEP coordination, testing and commissioning, and project quality management. Having worked across both consultancy and contracting environments, Zeeshan brings a well-rounded perspective on technical compliance, construction quality, project delivery and stakeholder coordination. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering and is a member of the Society of Engineers. He is also accredited by Dubai Municipality in Fire Safety and Protection Engineering Services.

Rime Harajly
Mechanical Discipline Lead, Egis
Rime Harajly is a Mechanical Engineer and Mechanical Discipline Lead at Egis, with 12 years of experience designing mechanical systems for major residential, hospitality and mixed-use developments across the Middle East. Her experience combines technical engineering expertise with a strong focus on delivering practical, high-performing solutions for complex building projects.
In her current role at Egis, Rime leads the Mechanical discipline, embedding computational design and parametric data into everyday engineering practice to drive technical excellence and sustainable innovation. She has been recognised with four Mechanical Engineer of the Year awards, reflecting her contribution to the engineering profession and her commitment to advancing the role of mechanical engineering within the region. Rime is also passionate about mentoring the next generation of engineers and supporting greater opportunities for women in the industry.

Baskaran Ramanantham
Regional Director, MEP Department, Surbana Jurong
Baskaran is Regional Director of the MEP Department at Surbana Jurong, with more than 20 years of experience in the Middle East. Throughout his career, he has developed extensive expertise in leading and managing large MEP teams, with a strong focus on delivering effective MEP operations across the region.
In his current role, Baskaran oversees MEP operations across the region, providing leadership and direction to the department while supporting the development and performance of large multidisciplinary teams. His experience reflects a strong understanding of the operational and leadership requirements of the MEP sector in the Middle East. With more than two decades of regional experience, Baskaran brings a practical understanding of MEP team leadership and regional operations.

Syed Atam Hayat
Sales Director, Central Ventilation Systems
Hon. Secretary & Education Liaison, CIBSE MENA
Syed Atam Hayat is the Sales Director at Central Ventilation Systems (CVS), based in the UAE, with over 16 years of international experience in MEP and HVAC products and solutions across the GCC and India. A Mechanical Engineer with an MBA in International Business, he brings expertise in sales, business development, marketing, technical applications, product specification, and strategic business growth.
His professional experience includes developing and delivering sustainable MEP and HVAC solutions, building strong relationships with clients, consultants, and industry stakeholders, managing key accounts, and supporting the adoption of innovative and energy-efficient building solutions. As a CIBSE MENA Technical Committee Member and Education Liaison, Atam contributes to strengthening industry and academic partnerships, supporting student engagement, and promoting professional development pathways.

Shahbaz Shah
MEP Lead, Danube Properties
Shahbaz Shah M is the MEP Lead at Danube Properties, with over 13 years of experience in MEP engineering, project coordination, and construction delivery across the UAE and India. His experience spans MEP management and project engineering, with a strong focus on chiller systems, coordination, and the delivery of building services projects.
Throughout his career, Shahbaz has progressed through roles including MEP Manager, Assistant Manager MEP, Senior MEP Project Engineer, and MEP Project Engineer, gaining broad experience across both management and project delivery functions. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University and brings a practical, project-focused approach to MEP coordination, engineering, and construction delivery.

Eleonora Panciera
Marketing & Communications Lead AMECA, SJ Group
Eleonora Panciera is a strategic business advisor and change management professional with international experience in business development, strategic marketing, communications, operations, and organizational transformation. She currently leads communications and marketing for Africa, the Middle East, and Pakistan at SJ Group, supporting strategic messaging across Buildings & Cities, Architecture & Design, Infrastructure & Energy, and Sustainability.
Her expertise includes strategic communication, brand positioning, stakeholder engagement, market development, process optimization, project implementation, and cross-functional management. With experience across IT, healthcare, civil engineering, architecture, green energy, fashion, and cosmetics, Eleonora brings a multidisciplinary and international perspective to complex business challenges. She combines strategic thinking with practical implementation, helping organizations strengthen market positioning, navigate change, improve operations, and achieve sustainable growth.

Rudy Riachy
Head of Computational Design, Ramboll
Rudy Riachy is an architect and Head of Computational Design at Ramboll, where he leads a multidisciplinary team integrating computational design, data, automation, and AI across architecture and engineering. Alongside project delivery, he contributes to scaling computational design globally across Ramboll and works closely with clients to explore digital innovation and new approaches to design challenges.
Beyond practice, Rudy is passionate about education and knowledge sharing. He teaches in the Master’s Program in Parametric Design in Architecture (MPDA) at UPC and collaborates with universities and professional institutions through lectures, workshops, course development, advisory boards, and industry events.
He is particularly passionate about advancing computational design in the Middle East and connecting people across the industry. Rudy founded the Computational Design Community – Middle East, creating an open platform for designers, engineers, students, and industry leaders to connect, exchange knowledge, and learn from one another.
Celebration & Recognition Event
28 October 2026
The journey of the CIBSE MENA Student Design Competition 2026 will move into its final stage at the Pre-Awards Celebration on 28 October 2026, hosted at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Dubai, Block A, 3rd Floor Auditorium.
The event will bring together the 12 shortlisted teams, judges, CIBSE leadership, Student Representatives, academics, industry professionals and members of the wider CIBSE MENA community for an afternoon of presentations, learning, recognition and connection.
The Final Presentations
As part of the final stage of the judging process, the 12 shortlisted teams will present their submissions to the judging panel.
Each team will:
- Prepare one slide summarising their submission
- Deliver a 2-minute presentation
- Take part in a Q&A session with the judges
Teams based in the UAE will attend in person, while shortlisted teams based outside the UAE will participate online.
The presentations and Q&A will give the judges an opportunity to hear directly from the students and explore their design approach, ideas and proposed solutions against the competition criteria.
A Day of Learning, Recognition & Connection
The Pre-Awards Celebration will also feature a technical session by Rudy Riachy, providing additional industry insight and learning for students and attendees.
We are also delighted that the event will be attended by Ruth Carter, CEO of CIBSE, and David Cooper, President of CIBSE, providing shortlisted students with an opportunity to connect with senior CIBSE leadership and the wider professional community.
Participation certificates will be presented to the shortlisted students and teams during the event.
The event will also feature the announcement of the newly selected CIBSE MENA Student Representatives, following the Student Representative Programme selection session on 21 October 2026.
Celebrating Student Innovation
The competition has provided students with an opportunity to move beyond theoretical learning and explore how their technical knowledge, creativity and multidisciplinary thinking can be applied to a complex, real-world challenge.
The Pre-Awards Celebration will recognise the effort and ideas demonstrated throughout the competition while providing a platform for students to engage with experienced professionals and learn more about the building services and built environment industry.
12 shortlisted entries.
1 slide.
2 minutes.
One opportunity to make their mark.
The journey now moves one step closer to the SDC 2026 Awards, where the winning proposals will be recognised for their response to the challenge:
“Integrated Lifestyle Communities: Engineering Net Zero Districts by 2050”
CIBSE MENA Student Design Competition 2026
Celebration & Recognition Event
Join CIBSE MENA as we celebrate the achievements of the next generation of building services professionals, recognise the shortlisted students and announce the 2026 Student Design Competition winners.
Prizes, Recognition & The Road Ahead
Prizes & Recognition
The 2026 competition recognises outstanding student work through prize awards and professional exposure.
First Prize: AED 7,500
Runner-Up: AED 5,000
Second Runner-Up: AED 2,000
Winners will also receive opportunities for CIBSE publication, technical committee presentations and recognition across CIBSE and CIBSE MENA communication channels.
Recognition for Every Entrant
Every participant will receive a CIBSE participation certificate.
Full-time students can also access free CIBSE student membership, while part-time students can access membership at a significantly reduced rate, providing a pathway to engage with the wider CIBSE professional community.
Competition Timeline
20 May 2026 | Official Launch
The 2026 competition was launched with students, academics and industry professionals from across the region.
10 September 2026 | Submission Deadline
Submissions closed, with all entries received by CIBSE MENA.
15 October 2026 | Shortlist Announced
The 12 shortlisted entries were announced following assessment of the submitted proposals.
28 October 2026 | Celebration & Recognition Event
The shortlisted teams will present to the judges, with the event bringing together students, judges, CIBSE leadership and the wider CIBSE MENA community.
Looking Back: 2025
The 2026 competition builds on the success of the 2025 programme:
- Winner: Manipal University, Dubai
- Runner-Up: Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai
- Highly Commended: University of Birmingham, Dubai
The 2025 competition demonstrated the value of connecting student ideas, technical innovation and industry engagement, creating stronger links between education and the building services profession.
Engineering the Future
The CIBSE MENA Student Design Competition 2026 has challenged students to look beyond individual buildings and explore the future of net-zero districts and integrated communities.
The submitted proposals have explored themes including energy systems, smart infrastructure, low-carbon mobility, circular resources, climate resilience, health and wellbeing.
The challenge is not simply to design a better building. It is to explore how buildings, infrastructure, technology and communities can work together as one connected system.
With the shortlist now announced, the competition moves into its final stage, where the 12 shortlisted teams will present their ideas and compete for the 2026 awards.
The challenge has been set.
The future is yours to engineer.
Current Competition Status
Submissions: CLOSED
All Entries: RECEIVED
Shortlist: ANNOUNCED
Judges: ANNOUNCED
Final Celebration & Recognition Event: 28 October 2026
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