The 10th cycle of the “I am A Researcher” module of Qatar University (QU)’s Al-Bairaq Programme has been launched.
During the event, an expert team of academics and researchers from Al-Bairaq briefed high school students and their teachers on the research projects that fall under the module.
Al-Bairaq superviser Dr Noora al-Thani, QU Centre of Advanced Materials (CAM) faculty, representatives from Maersk Oil Qatar (gold sponsor) and Shell Qatar (silver sponsor), as well as a large number of Grade 12 students and teachers from four high schools in Qatar - Qatar Independent Secondary School for Girls, Al Bayan Secondary Independent School for Girls, Omar Bin Abdulaziz Secondary Independent School for Boys and Omar Bin Al-Khattab Secondary Independent School for Boys, were present.
The projects are focused on topics related to issues such as materials science, environment and the energy sector, among many others.
CAM director Dr Mariam al-Maadeed described Al-Bairaq as a “unique experience and great opportunity” to motivate high school students to innovate and achieve their full potential. “It is the result of the committed vision of QU in general, and CAM in particular, to build a generation capable of research and development towards achieving a knowledge-based economy.”
Dr Noora noted the importance of Al-Bairaq in guiding high school students through a variety of projects that contribute to shaping their personalities and enhancing their critical-thinking, problem-solving and teamwork skills to guide their academic and life decisions, and channel their future career aspirations.
“It also highlights CAM’s commitment to promoting scientific culture and research from high school to university towards achieving the objectives and priorities of the State of Qatar,” she said.
Al-Bairaq promotes innovation, entrepreneurship and applied research in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the country’s ambitions towards a knowledge-based economy. It also stresses interdisciplinary research that can cover any and all Stem (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects.
The programme is supported by the Unesco Doha office (partner), RasGas Company Limited (platinum sponsor), Maersk Oil Qatar (gold sponsor) and Shell Qatar (silver sponsor).