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 forsecondary school students in Qatar. The competition, which will see 20 high schools in Qatar participate in avariety of environmental research projects, aims to build a generationof students dedicated to exploring, researching and conserving naturalresources, specifically plants. In line with QF’s mission, the competition is designed to promotesustainable development and inspire environmental responsibility amongyoung people, according to a statement.The contest is being held in co-operation with the Ministry of Educationand Higher Education and Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), also amember of QF, within the framework of QNRF’s National ScientificResearch Competition for school students in Qatar.The research competition seeks to provide innovative and practicalsolutions for contemporary environmental problems, with particularemphasis on plants, water and agriculture in light of the currentpolitical circumstances in the region. The contest aims to provide the opportunity for students to study thecauses of the problems and provide practical solutions that can beimplemented on the ground.Fatima Saleh al-Khulaifi, manager, QBG, said: “The role of the Qur’anicBotanic Garden in this competition is to oversee the students’ researchand provide scientific advice and technical support to participatingschools. The garden is also working alongside various universities,institutions and scientific entities in Qatar, such as Hamad Bin KhalifaUniversity, Qatar University and the Ministry of Municipality andEnvironment. “QBG has already hosted a number of educational workshops forparticipating students and teachers at the Education City StudentCentre, 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 asagriculture, re-purposing leftover food and drink, aquaponics and theeconomical re-use of farm residues and landscape areas. Proposals alsodiscuss the study and evaluation of wild plants, desertification, theconsumption of natural resources such as water, and microorganisms thatinfect fruit and vegetable crops in Qatar. QBG will organise a ceremony to honour the winners of the contest inFebruary during the celebration of Qatar National Environment Day 2018.