Students who won the first place in recently held scientific and improvisational challenges in the Destination Imagination (DI) 2018 were honoured yesterday by Qatar University’s (QU) Board of Regents vice chairman, Sheikh Dr Abdulla bin Ali al-Thani.
He was assisted by QU president Dr Hassan al-Derham, vice presidents, officials and staff of the university during the ceremony. 
The DI finals, which took place in Tennessee, US, from May 23 to 26, witnessed a strong competition between Qatar, China and the US, according to QU.
The students, Aldana Ali Alyafei and Suhila Tariq Zaffer (College of Engineering), Sameera Hamad al-Muraikhi (College of Business and Economics), Sumaya Tariq Zaffer, Raja Mohamed Aderdor and Al-Anqa Alharbi (College of Arts and Sciences), and Fatima al-Mansouri (College of Education), represented QU in the DI, competing in the scientific and improvisational challenges. 
As the culminating event of the DI season, Global finals provides finalists the chance to showcase their top-scoring innovative solutions in the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM), as well as service learning and improvisation, “at the world’s largest celebration of creativity.” 
A panel of trained judges, ranging from educators to entrepreneurs and engineers, assess the solutions presented by the participants, and are being scored on a variety of elements, including originality, workmanship, presentation, and teamwork. QU director of student services and activities Dr Abdulla al-Yafei congratulated the winning students saying: “We are proud of our students’ achievement.”
“The university is not limited to classroom learning. At QU, the students are engaged in programmes and activities that contribute to enhancing their practical, leadership, problem-solving and teamwork skills, and to prepare them for the labour market,” he said.
“High national competencies play a key role in overcoming the challenges resulting from the current blockade imposed against Qatar. They also contribute to the fulfilment of the future national development plans,” Dr al-Yafei noted.
Al-Muraikhi said: “We are proud of this achievement. We will establish a club to transfer our knowledge and expertise to other students in order to prepare them to participate in international competitions.”
“This achievement underlines the importance of investing in human forces to build a nation and achieve success,” added al-Mansouri.