Students from Qatar University's Young Scientists Center (QUYSC) participated with six research projects in the 9th International Invention Innovation Competition (iCan 2024), organized by the Toronto International Society of Innovation and Advanced Skills (TISIAS) in Canada. Their remarkable performance this year resulted in winning three gold medals, three silver medals, and eight special prizes, bringing the total to 14 awards. This achievement came amidst fierce competition with 756 projects from 50 countries worldwide.
The iCan competition highlights inventors and researchers with creative abilities from across the globe, serving as a platform for showcasing innovative ideas. It also provides an international stage for knowledge exchange, presenting innovative projects, and sharing scientific research outcomes. The participation of QUYSC in this competition reflects its commitment to developing students' skills and abilities, engaging them in finding innovative solutions, and presenting creative ideas that meet contemporary needs while promoting sustainable development.
Among the winners were students Abdulrahman Khalid Al-Sumaiti and Abdulrahman Nasser Al-Madfa from Omar Bin Al-Khattab Secondary School for Boys. Under the supervision of Dr. Hemalata from QUYSC, they won a gold medal and two special prizes for their project titled “Designing a Multifunctional Composite Membrane for Wastewater Treatment."
Additionally, students Ibrahim Khalid Al-Emadi, Faisal Jassim Al-Emadi, and Mohammed Mishaal Al-Khozaei from Hassan Bin Thabit Secondary School for Boys, under the supervision of Dr. Mohammed Abu Diya from QU's College of Arts and Sciences, secured a gold medal and a special prize for their project titled “Evaluation of Rhizobacteria Isolated from Limonium Root Zones to Enhance Arugula Growth."
A team of students from Leadership Academy—Abdullah Al-Yafei, Safar Rashid Al-Hajri, and Faisal Abdullah Al-Hammadi—won a silver medal and a special prize under the supervision of Dr. Zaid Al-Mayaah from QU's College of Pharmacy. Their project was titled “Exploring a Novel Therapeutic Approach for Treating Myocarditis."
Another group from Leadership Academy—Talal Al-Marri, Yara Al-Marri, Mohammed Al-Saeed, and Zaina Al-Saeed—won a silver medal and two special prizes under the supervision of Dr. Amith Khandakar from QU's College of Engineering. Their project was titled “Designing Spherical Solar Panels to Capture More Energy."
Students from Amr Bin Al-Aas School—Sultan Sultan Saud Al-Thani, Ahmed Abdulaziz Al-Thani, Mohammed Imad Al-Bardeen, and Omar Abdulaziz Murjan—won a silver medal and a special prize for their project titled “A Smart Device for Monitoring and Detecting Muscle Spasms During Exercise to Improve Athlete Performance."
Additionally, the QUYSC won a gold medal and a special prize for a project titled “An Educational Approach for Primary School Students to Solve Environmental Challenges and Achieve Sustainable Development Goals."
On this occasion, Professor Aiman Erbad, Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies at QU, expressed his pride in the students' accomplishments and their impressive international achievements in innovation and scientific research. He highlighted how these successes align with QU's strategy to excel in research that directly contributes to national development and advances knowledge and innovation.
Dr. Saeed Al-Meer, Director of QUYSC, emphasized the center's mission to enhance students' research skills and intellectual creativity. He noted that the center encourages students to develop their potential and ambitions by engaging them in scientific initiatives and competitions. This approach aims to prepare an innovative generation capable of addressing contemporary challenges and achieving excellence and leadership for the State of Qatar.