QBG to host environmental research contest for pupils

The Qur’anic Botanic Garden (QBG), a member of Qatar Foundation (QF), will host its third consecutive environmental research contest for secondary school students in Qatar.
The competition, which will see 20 high schools in Qatar participate in a variety of environmental research projects, aims to build a generation of students dedicated to exploring, researching and conserving natural resources, specifically plants.
In line with QF’s mission, the competition is designed to promote sustainable development and inspire environmental responsibility among young people, according to a statement.
The contest is being held in co-operation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), also a member of QF, within the framework of QNRF’s National Scientific Research Competition for school students in Qatar.
The research competition seeks to provide innovative and practical solutions for contemporary environmental problems, with particular emphasis on plants, water and agriculture in light of the current political circumstances in the region.
The contest aims to provide the opportunity for students to study the causes of the problems and provide practical solutions that can be implemented on the ground.
Fatima Saleh al-Khulaifi, manager, QBG, said: “The role of the Qur’anic Botanic Garden in this competition is to oversee the students’ research and provide scientific advice and technical support to participating schools. The garden is also working alongside various universities, institutions and scientific entities in Qatar, such as Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar University and the Ministry of Municipality and Environment.
“QBG has already hosted a number of educational workshops for participating students and teachers at the Education City Student Centre, and organised a series of site visits to the QF plant nursery.”
QBG is helping review and design prospective research proposals. So far, 30 abstracts have been submitted, focusing on important issues such as agriculture, re-purposing leftover food and drink, aquaponics and the economical re-use of farm residues and landscape areas. Proposals also discuss the study and evaluation of wild plants, desertification, the consumption of natural resources such as water, and microorganisms that infect fruit and vegetable crops in Qatar.
QBG will organise a ceremony to honour the winners of the contest in February during the celebration of Qatar National Environment Day 2018.