QNRF KICKS OFF NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH WEEK

Annual science festival sees students from Qatari schools compete and learn

Doha, Qatar, March 10, 2019: Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) – a member of Qatar Foundation (QF) – in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, today launched the annual National Scientific Research Week (NSRW) – a showcase of scientific exploration and innovation – at Qatar National Convention Centre. 

The annual science festival is a nationwide competition that enhances, develops, and recognizes the scientific research skills of preparatory and secondary students in schools across Qatar, and promotes cooperation and competition among students to achieve excellence in scientific research. Students will explore various scientific themes through their research projects, and aim to address challenges facing Qatar and countries around the world. 

Participants will compete across nine different categories in the Scientific Research and Engineering Design competition, with the top-performing students going on to represent Qatar in prestigious regional and international competitions, including the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) in the US and the International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (ITEX) in Malaysia.

Students will showcase their scientific research projects, focused on local and global challenges, in various categories at the 11^th National Scientific Research Exhibition, which is open to the public on March 13. Meanwhile, a Science Funfair for students from Grades 1-5 will take place on March 12, with the aim of motivating students to study STEM subjects by providing them with hands-on scientific experience through various activities organized by partnering academic institutions. 

The finals of the FameLab competition, which encourages students to explain complex scientific topics in an easily understandable way, will be held on March 13, when the winners of the various competitions will be honored at a special awards ceremony to mark the conclusion of this year’s edition of the NSRW. Finals of the Qatar National Scratch Coding Competition and 4th National Physics and Astronomy Olympiad Finals were held today, among other events.

Reema Abu-Khadija, Director of the Curriculum and Learning Resources Department at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, said: “In line with the Second National Development Strategy 2018-2022, which aims to advance the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030 that focuses on human beings as a development tool, the Ministry’s Curriculum and Learning Resources Department will be organizing competitions among teachers to foster the research skills of educators, while diversifying student competitions.

“Engaging research institutions across the country will enable our youth to master research skills and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, thus enabling them to contribute to the development of Qatar. These efforts will empower Qatari youth to excel at local and international research competitions.”

The week-long series of competitions and science-related activities received 722 research project submissions from students across schools in Qatar, out of which 150 research projects were selected to compete in the final round. In preparation for their participation in the NSRW, schools organized internal competitions to select their top nine research projects in various categories. QNRF, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, shortlisted original and high-quality research projects after a competitive selection process, which was conducted by appointed mentors and researchers from Qatar’s research and academic community. 

Dr. Aisha Al-Obaidly, Capacity Building Director, QNRF, said: "We are very proud of our partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education’s scientific team, as we seek to promote a culture of scientific research at pre-university education level, particularly across preparatory and secondary schools. 

“In the context of this competition, QNRF has contributed to the training of supervisors and scientific research coordinators on the ethics of scientific research, while examining and assessing the quality of student research projects. This year, we have a special surprise for our elementary school students in the form of a Science Funfair, organized with the help of our partners, to give the students a hands-on experience and motivate them to further develop their talent and learn new concepts and skills.”

Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), part of Qatar Foundation Research, Development, and Innovation (QF RDI), committed to make Qatar an international hub for scientific and technology innovation, tech-based entrepreneurship, and high-tech businesses, is supporting the NSRW as its main strategic partner. Students will be made aware of the various funding and development opportunities available to those interested in pursuing a career in scientific research and development, through QNRF and its partner organizations. 

Yosouf Abdulrahman Saleh, Executive Director, QSTP, said: “QSTP is honored to once again participate in the National Scientific Research Week, a program that nurtures the creativity and inquisitive minds of our youth and, through hands on experience in science and technology, teaches them to identify and solve global problems. This dynamic is in line with our mission to create an environment that fosters innovation and collaboration.

“The National Scientific Research Week helps build a generation of innovators and creative thinkers. These are the people QSTP hopes to one day support, with the aim of helping to build a sustainable future for Qatar ."

As well as being a learning experience for students, the NSRW will enable teachers and staff of local schools to learn from focused workshops presented by experts from the Education Development Institute, part of QF’s Pre-University Education, and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. 

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