Four scientific projects by Qatar University won six international prizes at the International Invention, Innovation & Technology Exhibition in Malaysia (ITEX), organized in cooperation with the International Federation of Inventors' Associations and the Institute of Engineering and Technology.
This achievement, which is of the State of Qatar and Qatar University, was bagged in a strong competition with 250 entries.
The projects were prepared with the support of Qatar University’s Young Scientists Center which offers several research initiatives and programs that encourages exploration of science and invention by providing full support to participate in international and local competitions and exhibitions.
ITEX is an international competition that was held online this year, which targets school students and university students. This competition has several rules and guidelines that determine the type of projects that are qualified and the categories in which they can participate and compete. The exhibition provides a unique opportunity for all participating inventors to gain recognition for their inventions and showcase their innovative projects as well as compete globally through the platform that it provides to them. Four groups of students affiliated with the center's programs participated in projects that were developed at Qatar University laboratories using the latest equipment and research methods.
Sarah Al-Obaidly, a student at the College of Engineering, and Maryam Al-Kuwari, a student in the College of Arts and Sciences at Qatar University, affiliated with the I am a Researcher program won the gold medal and an award in the "Top Three of Excellence" category. For a project titled “Functionalized polymer membrane for wastewater treatment, whose importance lies in purifying water from impurities”.
High school students Tamim Al-Rashed and Youssef Al-Mahmoud Qatar Banking Studies and Business Administration school, won the gold medal for a project titled Hydrogel sensor for Agricultural Applications that aims to improve soil properties and fertility. In addition to, Abdullah Al-Janahi and Abdullah Al-Nasr students in Qatar Science and Technology school won the gold medal for a project entitled Intelligent and Robust Composite Nanofibers for the Autonomy of Electronic Devices.
As for the preparatory stage, Ahmed Majed and Ahmed Salama from Al-Kaaban preparatory school for boys won a bronze medal and an award in the "Top Three of Excellence" category for a project titled Covid 19 pandemic inspired at home innovation: Through an unconventional remote educational model executed by the Qatar University Young Scientists Center (YSC). This project demonstrates the novel and effective educational methods applied by the center to face the challenges of distance learning and to ensure students learn in a way that stimulates creativity and innovation.
The great success that was achieved by the students was pleasing to the sponsoring program of the center "Ras Laffan Industrial City Community Outreach Program". Their pride was expressed in the outcomes of hard work in completing scientific research and reaching creative solutions using the latest technologies provided by the Young Scientists Center at Qatar University. Moreover, taking on the challenges to win and represent the State of Qatar among 250 participating projects. The program affirmed its continuous support to the all students to become the leaders of development in the country and pioneers of the knowledge-based economy, in fulfillment of Qatar Vision 2030.
Dr. Noora Al-Thani, Director of the Young Scientists Center, expressed her pride in the students' achievements in projects and research that are distinguished by their novelty and quality. She also encourage the students to participate in the international competitions for their benefit in providing the necessary expertise to develop projects and inventions. It is also a great opportunity to represent the State of Qatar globally and to highlight its scientific and research outcomes.
Dr. Nora praises the role of the Ras Laffan Industrial City Community Outreach Program, the program that supports the center in achieving the directions and strategies of the State of Qatar in the areas of education and human development to build a knowledge-based economy. She also thanked the center's partners, namely UNESCO, the Doha Office, and the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.
Students working on a project
