As part of Qatar National Environment Day 2016, the Qur’anic Botanic Garden (QBG) concluded its environment fair with an exciting finale, awarding the winners of the ‘Environmental Research Contest’ for secondary school students.
Organised in collaboration with local authorities and departments working in the field of environmental conservation, the event reflects QF’s endeavour to build an educated and responsible society, which supports and contributes to the fulfilment of the ‘Environmental’ pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV2030).
The contest required students to find innovative solutions to two environmental issues, ‘Water Management’ and the ‘Conservation of Wild Flora’, using a productive and systematic research method.
The QBG judging panel consisted of members of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education; Qatari National Committee for Education, Heritage, and Science; the Ministry of Municipality and Environment; Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation and the Flower Each Spring campaign.
QBG project manager Fatima Saleh al-Khulaifi said: “The ideas and projects presented by the students will break new ground in the areas of science and knowledge, and provide decision makers concerned with the protection of Qatar’s natural resources with ideas and solutions to help them solve today’s environmental problems.
“Finding innovative solutions and alternative processes to help solve diverse environmental problems is one of the most important concerns of the Qur’anic Botanic Garden.
“The environment is raised in several verses of the Qur’an, and Shariah urges the responsible use of invaluable natural resources. This is why QBG focuses on the concept of ecological balance and the proper use of Qatar’s bountiful natural resources.”
The competition process consisted of a series of educational workshops to inspire and inform competitors about the challenges regarding water management and conservation of wild flora. Following this initial stage, schools then presented their research abstracts, full research proposals, and documentary entries.