Qatar University Centre for Advanced Materials (QU-CAM) has announced the winners of the 8th cycle of the “I am A Researcher” module under its Al Bairaq Programme at an awards ceremony recently.
Al Bairaq is supported by Unesco Doha Office (partner), RasGas (platinum sponsor), Maersk Oil Qatar (gold sponsor) and Shell Qatar (
silver sponsor).
Group Quluwa from Omar Bin Al Khattab School comprising Abdullah al-Mohannadi, Abdullah al-Haroon and Abdullah al-Marri won first place with their project “Manufacture of Low-cost CIS Solar Cells”.
The group also won for Best Documentary Film entitled “Our Solar Cell” and for Most Popular Group on Social Media.
In second place was Group Al Dana, comprising Ahmad Jassim, Mohamed al-Hajri, and Abdullah Alsulaiti from Tareq Bin Ziad School who presented “Preparation and Characterisation of Microcapsules Containing Linseed Oil and its use in Self-Healing Coatings”.
Group Al Hasbah comprising Fatma al-Siddiqi and Maryam Hamed Alyafei from Al Arqam Academy was placed third.
CAM director Dr Mariam al-Maadeed thanked the sponsors and partners for their support and stressed the importance of the programme in building a generation capable of research and development towards achieving Qatar National Vision 2030.
RasGas head of National Development Thamer AlKaabi said Al Bairaq provides a unique platform for engaging Qatari secondary students in fields which are critical for the long-term development of their future educational and professional careers.
Sheikh Faisal bin Fahad al-Thani, deputy managing director, Maersk Oil Qatar, said: “The scientific and technical education for students together with a focus on research and innovation are closely aligned with our commitment to building the skills and capacity in future generations equipped to deliver a strong, diversified and healthy knowledge economy in Qatar”.
Maha al-Mannai, collaboration manager, Qatar Shell Research and Technology Centre University, said: “By sponsoring the Al Bairaq programme and the eighth season of ‘I am a researcher’, Qatar Shell continues to demonstrate its commitment to Qatar University, while engaging in the transfer of knowledge and sharing of best practices with the country’s student population.”
Unesco Doha Office education programme specialist Dr Faryal Khan said Al Bairaq offers a vibrant platform to potential young scientists – girls and boys alike – to
explore a career in science.
“It plants a seed in their young minds to help make choices in pursuing a scientific career. Other countries in the region can learn important lessons from the Al Bairaq experience at Qatar University. Unesco is proud to be a partner in this important initiative.”
Al Bairaq supervisor Dr Noora al-Thani stated that the programme was able to create an innovative eco-system, encouraging the students in the love of science and research and development.
The ceremony also awarded winners in the Art in Science competition – Group Eqmash, Omar Bin Al Khattab School; Instagram competition – Group Al Fas, Omar Bin Abdulaziz School; and Most Active Group on Social Media – Group Al Dana, Tareq Bin Ziad School. CAM associate researcher Dr Aboubakr Abdullah was named Best Professor while Eman Hassan from Al Arqam Academy was named Most Co-operative Teacher.