Hosted by AlFaisal Without Borders (ALF), the educational competition is being held in partnership with Ministry of Education and Higher Education and supported by Social Media Solutions, Qatar Volunteers, Amlak and QNCC.
The teams compete to solve challenges given to them and each of the eight challenges (Technical, Scientific, Structural, Fine Arts, Improvisational, Service Learning, Early Learning and Instant Challenge) is different from the other.
DI aims to spur creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork spirit among the students. Winners will have the opportunity to earn a trip to the global finals in May in the US.
Teams from Qatar opened the four day event with a parade of over 100 schools. It was attended by ALF Board of Trustees chairman HE Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim al-Thani, general manager Abdulatif al-Yafei, and executive director Ali Mar’e, a number of diplomats and university officials.
“Students are able to learn more about our culture and this provided us an opportunity to reinforce the time and energy that these young people have invested in a mind-challenging competition that will better prepare them for high school and college,” Sheikh Faisal said.
“We as the private sector, together with private institutions, charities and foundations are doing our best to come up with ideas that serve and improve our country,” he noted. “We are equally proud of the achievements of both Qatari youth as well as educational system of our nation.”
Guests also attended the DI Qatar 2016 Expo opening that showcased various activities on innovative learning led by sand artist Shayma al-Mughairy.
Participants from other countries had been given 24 hours to understand and solve a challenge. Teams this year have to “dream, design and build” a Creativity Centre inspired by Doha Architecture. DI is keen on sending 220 students from 31 teams to the global finals, according to Mar’e.
