Qatar University (QU) honoured yesterday the winners of the 5th Korea International Youth Olympiad in 2020 and the winners of Akhlaquna Competition at a ceremony held at Ibn Khaldoon Hall, in the presence of Korea’s ambassador to Qatar Kim Chang-mo and Qatar University President Dr Hassan al-Derham.
The names of the winners were announced on October 12.
The Olympiad is an international competition that attracts young researchers and inventors, and prepares them to become future world leaders, refining their skills and talents to lead in the era of the knowledge-based economy.
The competition is aimed at expanding the horizons and perceptions of the participants, sharing their experiences and expertise with inventors from all over the world.
In a statement, al-Derham said: “Today we celebrate a group of our students who have made outstanding achievements, in both competitions. 
“The winners of the 5th Korea International Youth Olympiad 2020, who have initiated humanitarian initiatives with noble goals … are a source of pride for Qatar and Qatar University.”
Ambassador Kim said during his speech: “I would like to congratulate the students on winning the gold and bronze medals, and the special awards at the 5th Korea International Youth Olympiad this year.
“You showed your brilliance and creativity. I would also extend my congratulations to the Qatar University Young Scientist Centre … these brilliant students must have been inspired and encouraged … to present with confidence their innovative projects to the international stage.
“I have no doubt that Qatar University, and innovative young scientists, will continue to play a very important role in further developing science of this country.
“I look forward to seeing various ways in which the young generation of our two countries will work together to make our common future better and by doing so, to further strengthen our bilateral relationship in the years to come.”
The QU president also honoured the winners of this year’s Akhlaquna competition.
It is noteworthy that the members of the “Yes, I Can” initiative carried out a series of campaigns aimed at highlighting the role of people with special needs in all social, charitable, academic, economic and environmental aspects.
In turn, the Young Scientists Centre director Noora al-Thani expressed her pride in the winning students, saying: “The centre always seeks to provide opportunities and full support for students to participate in international conferences and competitions, to present their inventions and projects that have been developed at Qatar University.”
“This is of great benefit to them, giving them the experience in project development and presentation,” she added.
The two groups of students from QU’s Young Scientists Centre won a gold and bronze award each in the Fifth Korea International Youth Olympiad, in addition to three special awards, in October.
Sherifa al-Mohannadi, a student at QU’s College of Chemical Engineering, won gold and a special award in the “Best of Best” category from individual entries.
Al-Mohannadi was also presented a special award by the Indonesian Invention and Innovation Promotion Association for a research titled Marine degradable plastic based on soybean by-products.
High school students Sara al-Maadeed and Sham al-Homsi won the bronze prize and a special award in the category of “Team Competition for Creativity”, for submitting a project titled Fabricate Biodegradable Polymer Nanocomposites for Transparent and Eco-friendly Electronics.
This project aims to manage electronic waste by making electronic products that biodegrade naturally and quickly, without harming the environment.