Doha

A team of National Vision Scholars who investigated the application of robotics technology in the energy industry has won the prize for best research project in the inaugural Summer Engineering Academy at Texas A&M University at Qatar (Tamuq).

During the two-week academic enrichment programme, the five Qatari high-school students studied how robots could be used to ensure pipeline integrity or fight fires, and they developed prototypes for those applications.

A panel of judges selected the robotics team from among five projects related to Qatar’s grand research challenges in energy, environment and cyber-security, said Dr Hamid Parsaei, professor of mechanical engineering and director of academic outreach at Tamuq.

“Our National Vision Scholars developed five fantastic research projects that reflect the students’ exceptional academic credentials and readiness for university studies in engineering,” Dr Parsaei said. “We hope to see each of these young Qataris apply for admission to Texas A&M at Qatar this fall.”

The winning team comprised Salem al-Marri, Ebrahim al-Muhannadi, Ali al-Sayed, Ahmed al-Sumaiti and Ghanem al-Yafei.

Lauding the programme, al-Yafei said the programme stimulated his thinking.

Dana Alali, a National Vision Scholar whose team researched renewable energy, won the prize for best presenter during the teams’ demonstrations of their research findings. “This experience made me excited to pursue engineering as my future career and to excel in it.”

The Summer Engineering Academy was designed to identify "exceptional" Qatari students as National Vision Scholars and motivate them to choose educational pathways in science and engineering.

Maersk Oil Qatar is the exclusive sponsor and industry partner for the Summer Engineering Academy and the parallel Future Engineers Programme.

Jassim al-Khori, technical manager of the Maersk Oil Research and Technology Centre, congratulated the students on completing the courses and noted the importance of developing Qatari talent for tomorrow’s workforce.

“Together with leading local institutions such as Texas A&M University at Qatar, we are helping realise the impact that these bright young minds can have on Qatar’s progress.”

In the Future Engineers Programme, a team comprising Mariam Abuhaliqa, Maryam Abuhelaiqa, Al-Reem al-Housani and Sara Baadar took top honours for its work in 3D design and printing.

Mona al-Ansari said she was proud to see her daughter participate in a programme like Future Engineers. “I would really love to see more of such programmes targeting nationals.”