Qatar teacher emerges runner-up at International Final of FameLab 2020
Ahmed Maani was among 20 scientists from all across the world to compete for the top 10 spots in the global science communication competition
AHMED Maani, an IT and technology teacher at Qatar Science and Technology Secondary School, bagged the runner- up title at the International Final of FameLab 2020, a global science communication competition, held on November 26.
He was among 20 scientists from all over the world to compete for the top spot, having been crowned the winner of the Qatar National Competition back in July.
Usually held at the Cheltenham Science Festival in London, this year’s event, which is run in partnership with the British Council, was slightly different with finalists competing online
delivering three-minute presentations on a range of topics from the world of science, technology, engineering and mathematics with Ahmed focusing on data security and encryption.
FameLab, the science communication competition owned by Cheltenham Science Festival in the UK, and delivered globally by the British Council, is brought to Qatar in partnership with Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) a member of Qatar Foundation (QF) -and supported by the Ministry of Education and Higher
Education.
Speaking about the competition, Ahmed Maani, said: “The FameLab competition is one of the wonderful experiences I have had in my life, which added to my science communication skill, scientific research and the content presentation, and the most important thing I have learnt in this experience is that with perseverance, persistence and hard work, achievements happen.”
Sam Ayton, director of the British Council Qatar, said, “I am delighted at the overwhelming response that FameLab has had again this year, in spite of the global pandemic that prevented FameLab national winners from 20 countries from coming together in the UK this year as part of Cheltenham Science Festival. I was excited to see FameLab International finals delivered in a new way and engaging audience digitally. Congratulations to Qatar FameLab National winner Ahmed for making it to the FameLab International and becoming runner up. We are proud to work with our partners Qatar National Research Fund and Ministry of Education and Higher Education in this increasingly important area.”
Dr Abdul Sattar Al Taie, executive director, QNRF, added: “FameLab is providing us with a steady stream of talented and capable STEM communicators whose ideas are impactful at both the national and global levels. We congratulate Ahmed on the success he has achieved representing Qatar in FameLab International 2020. His journey as a teacher and as a competitor will certainly inspire students across Qatar to pursue their scientific passions and excel in them to raise Qatar’s flag across the world.”
The FameLab International final can be viewed on www.youtube.com user famelab