2024 Graduate Maria Latifa Benkhelifa Co-Developed Three AI Projects Aligned with UN-SDGs Integrating Technology, Innovation, and Real-World Impact
Khalifa University alumna Maria Latifa Benkhelifa, a 2024 Applied Mathematics and Statistics graduate, has won the ‘Y4S Champions 2025’ Award under the Future Sustainability Leader category from Masdar’s Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S) program for her outstanding commitment to advancing sustainability, youth empowerment, and community engagement across the UAE.
Benkhelifa, an SDG Ambassador during her studies at Khalifa University, was part of the 2025 cohort of the Youth4Sustainability program and received the Y4S Champions Award 2025 at the Ramadan Gathering 2026. As an SDG Ambassador, she has also co-developed three AI projects, aligned with the UN-SDGs, integrating technology, innovation, and real-world impact. Y4S participants engage in mentorship programs, volunteer projects, expert-led sessions, and global exposure experiences, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to the UAE’s sustainability transition.
The co-curricular Khalifa University-SDG Ambassador Program helps to build upon the University’s membership into the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and introduce the UN-SDGs to students, equipping them with the knowledge to contribute towards giving back to the community.
Dr. Waleed Alameri, Associate Provost, Student Affairs, and Associate Professor, Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, Khalifa University, said: “Congratulations to Benkhelifa for her achievement, which stands as a testament to her year-long dedication to promoting sustainability awareness and leading impactful initiatives across the country. Khalifa University remains committed to nurturing leaders who will drive the UAE’s environmental and technological transformation. Through programs such as the SDG Ambassadors, community initiatives, and world-class academic support, Khalifa University plays a central role in equipping students and alumni with the tools needed to tackle global challenges. Her recognition places her among a distinguished cohort of young innovators and changemakers committed to shaping a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable world.”
At Khalifa University, Benkhelifa gained her first exposure to meaningful community-led sustainability initiatives as an SDG Ambassador. She won first place under the Young Entrepreneurs’ Award category at the Congress of Arabic and Creative Industries’ Innovation Awards for BookBuddy AI, an intelligent AI-powered Arabic-book reading assistant that she co-created to make educational content more accessible and interactive, particularly for young learners. The project contributes directly to ‘SDG 4: Quality Education’ by enhancing learning accessibility and inclusivity.
Benkhelifa also contributed to developing Nabra, an AI-driven initiative focused on supporting children with speech and articulation difficulties. to help identify patterns in speech, provide corrective feedback, and support more effective communication development. This project aligns closely with ‘SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being’ by promoting cognitive and developmental support, as well as SDG 4. She has also founded maKina AI, an AI-powered predictive maintenance platform aimed at improving industrial efficiency and sustainability, thus supporting ‘SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure’ and ‘SDG 13: Climate Action’. The maKina AI platform was showcased at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026.
Heading a Khalifa University student-led SDG initiative in Dubai, she also moderated a panel discussion alongside three inspiring panelists, exploring key topics related to the SDGs and their practical implementation within the university ecosystem, including student engagement, infrastructure, education, and community-driven initiatives.
Benkhelifa said: “Winning the Y4S Champions 2025 Award reflects my journey in sustainability which truly began at Khalifa University. The encouragement, academic environment, and mentorship I received at Khalifa University played a foundational role in shaping my passion for sustainability. The experiences and opportunities I received as an SDG Ambassador also empowered me to pursue this path with purpose. I am deeply grateful for the support Khalifa University continues to provide to its youth and alumni.”
Clarence Michael
English Editor Specialist
