Qatar University (QU) celebrated the closing ceremony of the 16th “I am a Researcher” Symposium of Research and Innovation, held by QU’s Al-Bairaq Program.
The symposium encourages innovation and creativity in youth by allowing them to take an active role in the field of scientific research, and in doing so actively contributes to supporting the Qatar National Vision 2030. The “I am a Researcher” track offers students the opportunity to experience scientific research under the supervision of experts and specialists from QU.
Four separate secondary schools in Qatar participated: Jassim bin Hamad Independent Secondary School for Boys, Zubaida Independent Secondary School for Girls, Um Hakeem Independent Secondary School for Girls and Al Arqam Academy for Girls.
Students from these schools competed in presenting four different research projects, in the presence of a designated committee, where the judges specialized in various and distinct scientific fields.
The symposium was well attended by students, teachers, parents, as well as Al-Bairaq partners, UNESCO office in Doha and the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.
The four research projects presented are: “Qatar-Robotic Automation,” a research on how to use robotics and the design-build-test approach in the field of firefighting and buildings evacuations during hazardous condition; the usage of polymeric membranes in the field of wastewater treatment; the third research involved the fabrication & testing of Toughened Epoxy Composites for Light Weight Automotive Applications; and the final research was on the synthesis, characterization and application of a New Electro spun Polystyrene/Al2O3 Nanocomposite Super Hydrophobic Coatings.
During the symposium, Dr. Noora Jabor Al-Thani Director of External Affairs at the Center for Advanced Materials, QU, and the Head of the Al Bairaq program expressed her pride in the achievements of Al-Bairaq students stating, “Over the last nine years, the Al-Bairaq program has been a unique platform, helping in creating a new generation, aware of the importance of the scientific research, and its effective role in the development of the society. The University has succeeded in creating an innovative learning environment for high school students, and this success can be shared today by the student’s research work in this symposium.”
She added, “Al-Bairaq offers a unique experience in innovative learning methods and has always sought to be a unique platform that engages Qatari youth in a stimulating learning environment.
At the end of the ceremony, the winners of the symposium were announced. Group Wadi Al-Ghoson from Al-Arqam Academy for Girls School won first place for the best presentation, group Wadi Manni from Um Hakeem Secondary School for Girls won second place and group Wadi Abu-Samra from the Zubaida Secondary School for Girls won third place.
Wadi Al-Ghoson from Al Arqam Academy won the contest for best documentary and also won the art in science competition. Wadi Manni from the Um Hakeem school won the Instagram competition. Wadi Abu Samra from the Zubaida school won the competition for most active and most popular group on social media.