Qatar: Challenge 22 projects move to next phase

Six projects that were developed within the Qatar Foundation and won the Challenge 22 have been selected to receive expert monitoring, according to the Telegraph newspaper.

The selected projects will be taken to the prototype stage and showcased internationally.

Challenge 22 is an annual innovation award which was launched in 2015 by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) - along with its strategic partners Silatech and Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF). 

The event is an annual award programme designed to ensure the global sporting showpiece creates a lasting legacy for Qatar and the region by inspiring and challenging ways to enhance the tournament and other major events, while growing a culture of discovery, economic diversification, and entrepreneurship, Qatar is Booming reported.

“With the potential for global impact through the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the winning projects will be taken to the next phase of development, supported by QF,” the Telegraph said.

Three entries are from QF.

Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI), Qatar Environment & Energy Research Institute, all research and development entities under QF and the World Innovation Summit for Health, a QF initiative, support the award through their expertise, networks, and facilities, as challenge partners.

The winning project from QF include FitPet, a health promotion app developed by Dr Ingmar Weber, senior scientist, social computing, QCRI, and Dr Yelena Mejova, scientist, social computing, QCRI, alongside two partners from iLoveQatar.net.

Dr Khaled Saoud, assistant professor of physics, Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar’s submission: ‘Scalable Synthesis of Expanded Polystyrene’, outlines a scientific method for improving the sustainability of stadia.

A team from Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, led by Dr Maher Hakim, associate professor, revealed ‘Tamm’, a platform to improve the tournament experience for fans, by connecting visitors with volunteer residents, and won a place in the winners’ ranking.

“Challenge 22 has recognised emerging talents that we hope will inspire the next generation of innovators from the Middle East”, said Hamad al-Kuwari, managing director, QSTP. “Throughout the second phase of the award, QSTP will be providing guidance, house mentoring sessions, and workshops, in addition to offering year-long accelerator programmes for the winning ideas. We look forward to working with the winners in phase two of the project that will bring their innovative ideas to life,” he added.