QU Young Scientists Center students win four prizes at national research contest
THE winners of the National Scientific Research and Innovation Competition 2020 were crowned at an online conference recently.
Three groups of high school students from the Qatar University Young Scientists Center won four prizes -- including two first places, a third place and a special prize -- out of the 720 participating projects from various schools and educational institutions.
All the studies were distinguished by their quality of ideas and innovative solutions that serve different sectors and fields in energy, industry, environment and agriculture.
Anfal Al Sulaiti from Zubaida Secondary School for Girls won first prize in the Chemistry and Material Sciences category for her research titled Polymeric nano-composite coating for the protection of steel’. The importance of this coating lies in its versatile uses in the fields of industry, production and preservation of the environment.
Abdullah Al Janahi and Abdullah Al Nasr from Qatar Science and Technology Secondary School for Boys won third place for their study titled Smart and robust nano-composite fibres for self-powering electronic devices’ in the Energy Category. This research
presents a new, innovative and more efficient way to produce electricity that is safe on the environment.
Tamim Al Rashed and Yousef Al Mahmoud from the
Qatar Banking Sciences and Business Administration Secondary School for Boys, won the first place in the category of plant and animal sciences, and a special prize for a research
entitled Hydrogel sensor for agricultural applications’.
This research aims to improve soil properties by creating a smart sensor to irrigate crops according to soil needs, in addition to increasing soil fertility and agricultural production by using substances such as Arabic Gum. This project has the ability to revolutionise agriculture in Qatar, providing selfsufficiency in basic agricultural crops.
Dr Noora Al Thani, director of the Qatar University Young Scientists Center, expressed her happiness. “Scientific research is of great importance in developing societies and refining skills by combining query and knowledge and conducting experiments with data analysis, which leads to the creation of solutions and products,” she said.
Dr Noora addressed the winning students, saying, “I always feel proud of our students who are used to winning local and international competitions for research and innovation.” She also praised the efforts of the centre’s sponsors, namely the Ras Laffan Industrial City Community Outreach Program, and the partners, namely, UNESCO-Doha Office and the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.
The Qatar University Young Scientists Center devotes tremendous efforts and resources to instilling the foundations of scientific research and enriching knowledge capital in the younger generation, in order to achieve strategies and goals pivotal in achieving the visions of the country’s development.