Dubai: Maha Nawaz, a 17-year-old Pakistani student from Dubai College, has been named one of the top ten finalists for the prestigious 2024 Chegg Global Student Prize, a $100,000 award recognizing students making exceptional contributions to education and society.
Nawaz earned her place among the finalists for her groundbreaking work in prosthetic technology, driven by her personal experience supporting her non-verbal brother with autism.
Her innovative prosthetic hand prototypes, which use brain signals to perform everyday tasks, are poised to transform lives and push the boundaries of medical engineering.
From vision to reality
Nawaz’s first breakthrough was an ultra-affordable mind-controlled prosthetic, allowing users to pick up objects without muscle movement. Her latest creation is a prosthetic powered by residual muscle contractions, costing under $100, a stark contrast to commercial options.
Partnering with New York University Abu Dhabi, she is also designing an eye movement-controlled robotic arm for those with severe communication barriers. Her goal is to develop brain-computer interfaces that translate thoughts into speech.
Image credit: TheNational
Global impact and plans
Nawaz’s influence extends to her native Pakistan, where she founded SheMakes. This NGO provides robotics kits and STEM education to underprivileged girls, reaching over 600 children so far. With a Global Student Prize win, Nawaz plans to expand her NGO, enhance her prosthetic designs, and make STEM education accessible to more disadvantaged students.
About Chegg
The Chegg Global Student Prize, launched in partnership with the Varkey Foundation, celebrates students who tackle global challenges with creativity and innovation.
Heather Hatlo Porter of Chegg highlights, “Maha’s journey exemplifies the power of education and innovation.” Sunny Varkey of the Varkey Foundation adds, “Her story underscores the pivotal role of education in building a better world" - quoted by The National.
The winner will be announced in New York during the UN General Assembly week, chosen by the Global Student Prize Academy. Nawaz’s remarkable achievements and visionary goals showcase how personal motivation and technological innovation can drive global change.