QU’s centre picks winners of Al Bairaq competition

Two students who participated in the contest.

Qatar University’s Centre for Advanced Materials (CAM) has announced the winners of the 8th cycle of its “I am Discovering Materials” module of Al Bairaq programme in a recent ceremony in which 430 students presented their ideas and 88 products were evaluated.The winners were: Art in Science - Al Khor Independent Secondary School for Girls (Group Dalton); Best Poster - Al-Bayan Complex for Girls (Group Geniuses); RasGas Al Bairaq - Al Khor Independent Secondary School for Girls (Group Gold); Most Active Social Media - Al Shamal Independent Secondary School for Girls (Group Altatweer); Most Popular Social Media - Arwa Bint Abdulmotaleb Independent Secondary School for Girls (Group Stars); InstaBairaq Social Media - Al-Khor Independent Secondary School for Girls (Group AL-Khor-Gold8). Prizes were also given for Most Co-operative Teachers and Best Participant School. The judging panel comprised RasGas head of Well Work and Completion Engineering Fahad al-Qadi, Ministry of Culture, Art and Heritage’s Research & Cultural Studies Department director Dr Marzook bin Marzook, Qatar Shell outreach and university collaboration manager Maha Sultan al-Mannai, Qatari National Committee for Education, Culture and Science secretary general Hamda al-Sulaiti, Qatar Rail CEO Saad al-Muhannadi, Qapco Learning and Development Manager Abdulla Naji, and QPI Gas Technologies manager Idrees Mustafa.CAM Director Dr Mariam al-Maadeed said: “Al Bairaq contributes to fostering scientific development by promoting scientific culture and research, which raises its value as a means of knowledge to solve problems and achieve a sustainable development.”RasGas head of National Development Thamer al-Kaabi said the company is committed to proactively meeting the need for engaging Qatari high school students in applied sciences, engineering and mathematics, which are essential to ensure a long-term development of their educational and professional future. “We are pleased to continue supporting this programme and our judges are very impressed by the level of innovation and creativity exhibited by the students this year.”Maersk Oil Qatar deputy managing director Sheikh Faisal bin Fahad al-Thani said: “Scientific and technical education as well as research and innovation are closely aligned with our commitment to develop the skills and capacity of future generations, in order to achieve a strong, diversified and healthy knowledge-based economy in Qatar.”Qatar Shell’s Maha al-Mannai said the sponsorship of young scientific talent and improving the skills of Qatari researchers, who are essentially the individuals that will go on to lead the country’s research and development efforts, ensure the fulfilment of Qatar National Vision 2030.Al Bairaq is supported by Unesco Doha Office, Qatar National Committee for Education, Culture and Science (partners), RasGas (platinum sponsor), Maersk Oil Qatar (gold sponsor) and Shell Qatar (silver sponsor).