29 June 2011, Abu Dhabi, UAE: Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) recently honored three senior students of the Higher Colleges of Technology's Abu Dhabi Women's College for their graduation project in electronics engineering. The students, with support from ADAC, designed a system to trace passengers with reduced mobility as they move through Abu Dhabi International Airport, including an emergency response option.

In the system under development, passengers with mobility problems resulting from advanced age, physical disabilities, or chronic conditions such as heart disease could be issued a small "tag" to wear when they check in at the airport. WiFi signals would track the person's movement, and the person could press a button on the tag in case of a sudden need for assistance. ADAC's Senior Manager for Emiratization, Captain Salem Muhammad Al Khazraji, stated, "Besides contributing to the students' careers, this project was unique, because it serves ADAC's overall plan to provide better services for persons with reduced mobility."

At a ceremony in honor of the project's successful completion, ADAC's Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Huraiz Al Mur Bin Huraiz, together with Dr. Kathleen O'Connell Hodge, ADWC's Director, presented certificates of achievement to the ADWC students: Noura Haqi, Khadeeja Mohsin and Mariam Matar Al Romaithi, who are among the HCT's first female graduates in the field of Electronics Engineering Technology. Certificates were also presented to Mr. Ligiu Uiorean, Infrastructure Development Manager at ADAC, who supervised the students' semester-long internship at ADAC; Dr. Salem Salem, ADWC Electronics Engineering faculty; and other ADAC officials involved with the project.

ADWC Director Dr. Hodge thanked ADAC for the company's support. "This valuable partnership with ADAC strengthens the HCT's emphasis on applied and experiencial learning by giving our students the opportunity to work in a professional environment. It has also allowed these women to engage with their community by serving people with special needs."

ADWC student Noura affirmed the value of working at the airport, saying, "I learned a lot of things, and I understand a lot about the operations at Abu Dhabi International Airport which most of my classmates do not know. I have a lot of experience there." She added, "Even though we had challenges, I am glad I chose this project, because I love helping special needs people."

-Ends-

Abu Dhabi Women's College is part of the Higher Colleges of Technology. All media references to the organization should be noted as the Higher Colleges of Technology's Abu Dhabi Women's College or Abu Dhabi Women's College of HCT. For more information on the college's activities, please visit www.adwc.hct.ac.ae. For more information on the Higher Colleges of Technology, please visit www.hct.ac.ae.

About Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC)
Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) is a public joint-stock company wholly owned by the Abu Dhabi Government. It was incorporated by Amiri Decree number 5, issued on 4 March 2006, to spearhead the development of the Emirate's aviation infrastructure. In September 2006, ADAC assumed responsibility for the operation and management of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain International Airports. In 2008, ADAC added Al Bateen Executive Airport (an exclusive private aviation airport), and Sir Bani Yas and Delma Island Airports to its portfolio. These airports are geared to serve the various segments of air travellers, the aviation marketplace, and will help contribute to Abu Dhabi's development as a destination for both business and leisure tourism.

Currently under way is the multi-billion dollar re-development and expansion of Abu Dhabi International Airport designed to increase the overall capacity of the airport to more than 20 million passengers per year. As part of this redevelopment, a second runway and a third terminal have been completed.

For more information, please contact:
Asala Faddah 
Mob:               +971 56 696 0787
Tel:                 +971 2 447 2805
E-Mail:            adac@hillandknowlton.com

Elham Bourani
P.O. Box:        94449, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E
Tel:                 +971 2   504 3304
Fax:                +971 2   575 8300
Mob:               +971 50 818 0467
E-mail:           ebourani@adac.ae;
Web sites:     www.adac.ae, www.adacmediacentre.com  
Time Zone:   GMT/UTC +4

© Press Release 2011