Qatar University’s Young Scientists Center (QU-YSC) concluded the summer training program 2020 entitled "The Environment of smart learning for innovation", with an honoree ceremony on 10 September.
During the ceremony the participating students were honored while following the precautionary measures and the rules of social distancing. This ceremony marks the end of a distinguished educational journey that combines the work of scientific research and the acquisition of many skills essential to their success in the university education.
The ceremony was held at the Qatar University Research Complex with the presence of Dr. Mariam Al-Ali Al-Maadeed Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies, Dr. Noora Al-Thani QU-YSC Director, professors, researchers, and undergraduate’s students from Qatar University.
The summer undergraduate students’ research internship held on June 17, 2020, through digital platforms, with the participation of 17 students from different scientific majors at Qatar University. The internship duration was three weeks included intensive workshops provided by professors and researchers from QU-YSC on the execution of scientific papers, research methodology, and methods for collecting and analyzing data. The participants succeeded in applying what they have learned in executing a scientific research under the supervision of specialists from QU-YSC, and they began the procedures for publishing it in the scientific journals.
What distinguishes this summer internship is the integration of undergraduate students as mentors for primary, preparatory and secondary students using digital platforms, who in turn participated in their own summer educational program organized by QU-YSC. The innovative research environment that the center provided through the internship contributed in providing participants with many skills, such as scientific research skill, critical thinking, problem-solving and the ability to adapt to different approaches of distance learning. Qatar University students played a leading role in supervising 66 students from primary, preparatory and secondary schools.
The honoring ceremony also included a speech from the director of QU-YSC, Dr. Noora Al-Thani, praising QU students for their high competencies and abilities in learning and in fronting the challenges of distance learning.
In addition to the honoring ceremony a panel discussion was conducted in which a number of QU students participated in. The focus of the discussion was the important outcomes of the internship and the effect of the internship on enriching the educational experience. At the end of the ceremony, all participants received medals for completing the internship, in addition to distributing prizes to the distinguished QU students.
Dr. Noora Al-Thani, Director of QU-YSC, mentioned in her speech that: "The initiative to organize the summer training program was a positive step that strengthened QU-YSC goals and ambitions”. In addition, she said: "One of the most important tasks in any society is to educate and train youth. That is the key to success and progress in building strong society and economy based on knowledge, and this is what the center pursues for the long term."
Dr. Noora thanked all the sponsors including Ras Laffan Industrial City Community Outreach program, and the partners, which are UNESCO-Doha Office and the Qatar National Committee for Education, Culture and Science.