Qatar receives host flag for 16th global junior science Olympiad

Qatar received the host flag for the 16th International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO), which will be held in Doha in December 2019.

Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education Dr Ibrahim al-Nuaimi, head of Qatar IJSO hosting committee, received the flag during the closing ceremony of the current edition that is being held in Gaborone, Botswana.

Al-Nuaimi expressed his delight at the Qatari participation in this edition and called on all attendees to join next year’s edition in Qatar, which he said will be exceptional on all levels.

Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education Fawzia al-Khater, deputy head of Qatar IJSO hosting committee, spoke about the ongoing preparations taking place in Qatar to host the next edition.

She also presented a brief on Qatar National Vision 2030 and how it has been embodied in the vision of the ministry by leading in offering permanent and innovative learning opportunities through the participation of students in scientific competitions and international competitions.

She explained that such competitions strongly contributes to empowering students with 21st century skills.

She said that for Qatar to be hosting the next IJSO is a real indicator of its progress towards achieving its vision and development goals.

She added that the country has begun serious proactive steps to ensure the success of the 2019 IJSO where a higher committee has been formed under the presidency of the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and a website for the Olympiad has been set up and includes all the requirements and information which will be promptly updated till the event date.

As part of the preparations, al-Khater said Qatar Airways will be offering a 25% discount to all the participants of the 2019 edition in Qatar and it will be the official carrier of the Olympiad.

Qatar is the first Arab country to organise this event. It is the biggest scientific event that brings together talented science students under the age of 16 from more than 70 countries around the world.

Qatar has also been elected vice-president of the executive committee of the International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO) for Asia on the sidelines of the15th session in Botswana.