Doha: Over 600 students participated in the second edition of the Young Innovator Award competition, organized by the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU).
The students from local, community, and international schools in Qatar displayed their insights on the topic of mitigating climate change.
The competition for the Young Innovator Award 2020 saw participating students categorised as Junior, Intermediate, and Senior based on their age, with each category further split into two. Junior categories (6-7 and 8-9 years) showcased artwork, Intermediate (10-11 and 12-13 years) produced research posters, and the Senior category (14-15 and 16-17 years) presented research projects related to the theme of mitigating climate change.
More than 350 teams submitted entries for the preliminary round and each category had five finalists chosen by jury panels made up of QEERI research staff.
Executive Director, QEERI, Dr. Marc Vermeersch, highlighted the promotion of science and research among young people as a fundamental component of QEERI’s mission.
He said: “We believe that youth have a crucial role to play in bringing about sustainable positive changes. The immense creativity, scientific research capability, and the quality of work that we have seen during the competition gives us hope for a better future. The jury and our QEERI scientists are equally impressed by the work produced by these talented young people.”
The exceptional quality of work presented made the selection of overall winners challenging, according to jury panellists. Senior Wastewater Engineering and Capacity Building Specialist, Center for International Migration and Development, Frankfurt, Germany, Dr. Noama Shareef said: “I was thrilled to be part of one of the jury panels for the Young Innovator Award 2020.
“I must commend QEERI for the way they are promoting science and research among the youth of the nation. It allows young people to gain awareness, and to build capacity, while encouraging them to take action against climate change and other important environmental challenges. The work showcased by the students was of very high quality, thoroughly researched, and creative. Congratulations to all the winners and participants.”
The winning Young Innovators in Junior Category 1 were Quinn Feodore Dela Cruz Esperanzate of Philippine School Doha; Qarylle Claudet Dela Cruz of Philippine School Doha; and Sarah Suhaib of The Next Generation School, Nuaija.
In Junior Category 2 winners were Athif Sherif of Olive International School; Carlene Rosales Campit Bocalig of Philippine School Doha; and Hiba Mehek of The Next Generation School, Ain Khaled.
In Intermediate Category 1 winners were Unica De Vera, Sulwan Rohing, and Daniela Suson of Philippine School Doha; Mohammed Tareq G A Al-Sharshani and Mohammed Amer J N Alhumaidi of Qatar Academy Al Khor; and Nour Osama Mousa Awad and Almaha Khalid A A Mohd Al-Hamadi of Iqra English School for Girls.
In Intermediate Category 2 winners were Simrah Salman and Maryam Fatima of The Next Generation School, Al Daayen; Ali Othman A A Al-Maraghi, Salman Ahmad A A Al-Jehani, and Salem Khalid S A Al-Hajri of Qatar Leadership Academy; and Rashid Mohammed Al Ghafri and Abdulla Abdulrahman Haidar of Qatar Academy Al Wakra.
In Senior Category 1 winners were Kevin Davis and Anna Jerry Manathra of Rajagiri Public School, Doha; Tejaswi Manoj and Samridhi Bhardwaj of DPS Modern Indian School; Abdul Ahad, Rayhan Mahetar, and Nabeel Chougle of Gems Wellington School.
In Senior Category 2 winners were Sooriyaselvan Narendran and Manogna Jayi of DPS Modern Indian School; Jhaznine Mangalino, Vianca Pujante, and Alexie Ibanez of Philippine School Doha; and Juwairiya Mohammed and Neha Alex of MES Indian School. QEERI is a national research institute under HBKU, a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development. The institute opened in 2013 to address national energy and water security challenges.
It seeks innovative solutions to address Qatar’s national energy and water security challenges, and tackle climate change at national, regional and international levels.
