"It is time for regional venture capital firms to invest in locally developed technologies," - Dr. Fadi A. Aloul

10% of UAE population suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Traditional sleep apnea tests are normally uncomfortable and could cost up to $3,000

Award-winning app designed by AUS students for Windows and Android smartphones

Sharjah, UAE, July 02, 2012 - According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 100 million people worldwide suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). A recent sleep study which began in September 2011 at Rashid Hospital in Dubai suggests that around 10 per cent of the population in the UAE suffer from OSA.

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by the repetitive reduction of airflow during sleep, which in turn causes pauses and reduced breathing. These recurring arousals from sleep due to a blockage of airway cause fragmented sleeping patterns and lead to the activation of the body's sympathetic nervous system. The diagnosis is traditionally made through a polysomnogram - a laboratory-based sleep study that requires a minimum of 22 wires attached uncomfortably to the patient's body while sleeping - and which will generally cost around US$3,000 per test.

Enter SAM; an award-winning sleep apnea monitoring mobile application, developed in the UAE by AUS engineering students, that allow users to get a sense of whether or not they are likely to have sleep apnea, before continuing with more expensive and advanced sleep tests.

Designed for Android and Windows-based smartphones, SAM utilizes the device's built-in microphone, accelerometer to measure breathing and movement patterns, in a cost-effective and much more comfortable manner.

"The AUS Sleep Apnea App SAM has been undergoing rigorous testing since its inception and has already proven to be a success," said Dr. Fadi A. Aloul, Associate Professor, Computer Science and Engineering. "Through SAM, the recorded data is securely sent to a server, where it is stored for analyzing results, diagnosing patients, and maintaining geographical studies of areas with sleep apnea patterns. The system diagnoses and reports the level of the user's sleep apnea. In addition, doctors can remotely monitor users through the website, which is interfaced with Google Maps to keep track of user locations, and their analyzed records."

Dr Aloul added: "We are now ready to take the app to the next level and commercialize it for mass use, but funding remains essential. The solutions developed at AUS are designed to support different local and regional business sectors, by providing them with the innovation needed to compete with global organizations. That is why it is time for venture capital firms in the region to realize the local talent and invest in locally developed technologies, which stand up to global competitors."

SAM has won numerous local and international awards and accolades including the du Mobile Development Award; second place in the Microsoft Imagine Cup UAE competition; second place in the 7th National Mobile Contest organized by Khalifa University and Khalifa Fund; third place in the IEEE (the world's largest association for the advancement of technology) Engineering Day Competition as well as first place in the AUS College of Engineering Senior Design Competition. The application was designed by Shamma Al Qassim, Mahdumeta Ganesh, ShaheenKhoja and Meher Zaidi, all computer Engineering students at the AUS College of Engineering. The project was advised by Dr. Fadi Aloul and Dr. Assim Sagahyroon, Professor and Chair of the Department of Computer Science & Engineering.

"AUS has numerous patents and technologies developed on campus that people still don't know about. The support of public and private organizations is crucial to bringing these technologies to life and positioning the UAE as a science and technology development hub among advanced nations. We extend an invitation to all organization to visit our labs and learn more about our technologies," concluded Dr. Aloul.

For more information, please contact:
Iman Ahmed
Senior Manager Media Relations
Asda'a Burson - Marsteller
Mobile: 050 2058021
iman.ahmed@bm.com

Miriam Kiwan
Director of Strategic Communications and Media
+971 6 515 1040
mkiwan@aus.edu

Nazzal Yousef
Director of Media Relations
+971 6 515 2157
nyousuf@aus.edu
Mohammed Kharroubi

Asda'a Burson-Marsteller
+971 4 4507600
Mohammed.Kharroubi@bm.com

About AUS
American University of Sharjah (AUS) was founded in 1997 by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The university was envisaged by His Highness as a leading educational institution in the Gulf region. Located in University City, Sharjah, AUS is a not-for-profit, independent, institution of higher education formed on the American model.

It offers 25 majors and 52 minors at the undergraduate level, and 14 master's degrees through the College of Architecture, Art and Design; the College of Arts and Sciences; the College of Engineering; and the School of Business and Management. These programs are designed to meet the challenges of a competitive and dynamic business and industrial environment.

As a provider of quality higher education in the Gulf, AUS is licensed and its programs are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the United Arab Emirates. AUS is also accredited in the United States of America by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA, Tel +1 215 662 5606) and by the Department of Education of the State of Delaware. All six of the bachelor degree programs in the AUS College of Engineering are accredited by ABET, http://www.abet.org. The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration as well as the Master of Business Administration and Executive Master of Business Administration degrees offered by the School of Business and Management are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), www.aacsb.edu. The Bachelor of Architecture program of the College of Architecture, Art and Design is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) of the United States, www.naab.org.

© Press Release 2012