NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH WEEK CONCLUDES WITH AWARD CEREMONY

Ministry of Education and Higher Education and Qatar National Research Fund honor competition winners at Grand Award Ceremony

Doha, Qatar, March 13, 2019: Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Ms. Fawzia Al-Khater, and Dr. Abdul Sattar Al Taie, Executive Chairman of the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), honored the winners during the closing ceremony of the 11^th edition of the National Scientific Research Week (NSRW), titled ‘Promising Researchers for Qatar.’

The event was attended by officials from Ministry of Education and Higher Education and QNRF – a member of Qatar Foundation – as well as members of the academic and research community in Qatar. 

The NSRW, organized by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and QNRF, is an annual celebration of science that aims to identify, recognize, and develop interest in scientific research, knowledge, and skills of K-12 students from schools across Qatar. During the week, around 300 educators attended workshops which addressed the growing importance of incorporating STEM subjects into school curriculums.

In her concluding speech, Reema Abu-Khadija, Director of the Curriculum and Learning Resources Department at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, said: "In 2009, the scientific research competition kicked off across schools in Qatar with the participation of 29 preparatory and secondary schools for boys and girls. Since then, it has gained significant momentum, with 138 schools taking part in the scientific research competition, while 114 are competing in applied research.

"Throughout 11 years of efforts by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education to promote scientific research programs, we have noticed increased engagement with educational institutions, civil society sectors, and universities, which foster innovation and have graduated outstanding students who have succeeded in research and development and lived up to our expectations. We are proud to have contributed to this event in cooperation with our partners, which reflects our cultural unity and our keenness to support this nation. We are confident of the success of this leading scientific event, thanks to the cooperation of schools, parents, universities, and research institutions."

Finals of the FameLab competition, organized in collaboration with the British Council, also took place today, where the participants were given three minutes to present complex scientific concepts with clarity and charisma to a panel of expert judges and audience members. The top-scoring individual from the adult category will represent Qatar at the Cheltenham Science Festival 2019, which brings together participants from 25 countries around the world.

Meanwhile, 24 projects were presented with special awards by partnering organizations of the NSRW. Winners of different competitions were also recognized at the Grand Award Ceremony, including Qatar National Scratch Coding Competition, Design for Change Competition, Al Bairaq Competition, Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy Competition, Scientific Club Competition, Alice Programming Competition, and Qatar’s 4^th National Astronomy Olympiad. 

Dr. Abdullah Al-Kamali, Senior Manager, Education Outreach at QNRF, said: “The Grand Award Ceremony was the culmination of the hard work, dedication, and efforts that all the participants put in to showcase their scientific research projects. This year, we received a total of 722 project submissions from preparatory and secondary school students across Qatar.

“I would like to congratulate the winners of different competitions, and encourage them, along with rest of the participants, to further develop their research projects. QNRF, through its various programs, supports original, promising research across all levels, and, with our soon to be launched High School Research Experience Program (HSREP), the students will have an incredible opportunity to further advance their research and increase their knowledge and skillset.”

The NSRW aims to provide exceptional local talent exposure on an international stage, enabling participants to share their scientific research projects and develop them further. At the end of the Grand Award Ceremony, nine individuals were selected as winners of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program, and will go on to represent Qatar at the 31^st International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur. Meanwhile, five students were crowned the winners of the National Scientific Research Competition. Winners for both the competitions were selected from a total of 150 project submissions, and will represent Qatar at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Arizona. 

Additionally, with the support of NSRW strategic partner Qatar Science & Technology Park, part of Qatar Foundation Research, Development, and Innovation, three students were selected to participate in the London International Youth Science Forum, held jointly by the Imperial College and Royal Geographical Society. 

Dr. Richard O'Kennedy, QF Vice President for Research, Development, and Innovation, said: “Qatar Foundation Research, Development, and Innovation, along with various national stakeholders, plays a key role in supporting and promoting a sustainable ecosystem of research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in Qatar. Providing our students and youth with suitable platforms to develop their research and practice innovation is imperative to building a progressive society. The National Scientific Research Week, jointly organized by Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education and the Qatar National Research Fund, is one such platform through which we instill within our next generations the appreciation for scientific research and help them develop the mindset and skills for it. The future of innovation in Qatar is sustained through such impactful initiatives.

“This year, our students have delivered impressive projects, and I am delighted to note that two Qatari teams of young scientists will be joining their peers from across the globe in the London International Youth Science Forum 2019, at the Imperial College and Royal Geographical Society, UK. As a ‘melting-pot’ of diverse and exciting ideas from international societies, the participation of our students in LIYSF will provide them an unparalleled experience that will challenge any pre-conceptions and help them develop a broader understanding of global challenges that could be addressed through scientific research and innovation.”

“This I can say with confidence being an alumnus of LIYSF - from my first-time participation as a student in 1972, then as a Counsellor in 1973, followed by hosting a Hall of Residence at the University of London for a decade, being an elected member of the Advisory Committee, and then Lecturer for 18 years; and finally culminating in an invitation to be the President of LIYSF, a position that I held from 2005 to 2017.”

Under its commitment to foster an ecosystem to promote scientific research and knowledge at school level, QNRF has launched a new program, the High School Research Experience Program (HSREP), to provide support for school students at specialized research centers in Qatar under the mentorship of university faculty members and researchers. The program aims to equip students with the necessary research skills to help them excel in their university studies, and empower them to become the next generation of leading scientists in Qatar. 

ENDS

Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF)

Driven by the aim of fostering a culture of research in Qatar, QNRF was established in 2006 to advance knowledge and education by acting as a support system for researchers. 

QNRF, a member of Qatar Foundation, administers funding for original, competitively selected research and furthers collaborations within academia, the public, private, governmental, and non-governmental sectors through effective, mutually beneficial partnerships. While QNRF actively seeks internationally-recognized researchers, it is dedicated to funding research that meets the needs of Qatar. For more information, please visit www.qnrf.org 

Qatar Foundation – Unlocking Human Potential

Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) is a non-profit organization that supports Qatar on its journey to becoming a diversified and sustainable economy. QF strives to serve the people of Qatar and beyond by providing specialized programs across its innovation-focused ecosystem of education, research and development, and community development.

QF was founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Amir, and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, who shared the vision to provide Qatar with quality education. Today, QF’s world-class education system offers lifelong learning opportunities to community members as young as six months through to doctoral level, enabling graduates to thrive in a global environment and contribute to the nation’s development.

QF is also creating a multidisciplinary innovation hub in Qatar, where homegrown researchers are working to address local and global challenges. By promoting a culture of lifelong learning and fostering social engagement through programs that embody Qatari culture, QF is committed to empowering the local community and contributing to a better world for all.

For a complete list of QF’s initiatives and projects, please visit: www.qf.org.qa 

For any media inquiries, please contact: pressoffice@qf.org.qa