The Qatar Scientific Club (QSC) recently recognised the winners of the 9th Scientific Exhibition for Innovation and Research, held in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE). The event showcased 61 projects that reached the final stage out of nearly 290 submissions, emphasizing the promotion of scientific research and innovation among students in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030.

The exhibition unfolded over two days, with the first day dedicated to the “Researcher” competition for primary and preparatory students. The second day featured projects from both the “Researcher” and “Innovation” competitions for secondary school students. Attendees included representatives from the MoEHE, the Ministry of Sports and Youth, school administrators, supervisors, and the participating students.

In the school innovation competition, the project titled “Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for User Behaviour Analysis in Cybersecurity” from the Qatar Science and Technology Secondary School for Boys secured first place. The second place was awarded to “NeuroStride,” a project that utilises artificial intelligence for the early detection of Parkinson’s disease. Third place went to a team from Qatar School for Girls for developing an integrated robotic system equipped with an automatic soil-feeding mechanism.

The secondary-level “Researcher” competition saw first place awarded to the project “Automated Irrigation System Using Open-Source Technology,” also from Qatar Science and Technology Secondary School for Boys. Second place was claimed by a study applying neural networks to detect myopia, while third place went to a project designed to reduce impulsive behaviour in individuals with autism through technology-based interventions.

At the preparatory school level, the project “Rafi,” which uses technology and AI to support communication for children with Down syndrome, won first place. Projects placing second and third included one converting sign language into written and spoken language via AI, and another focusing on safe vehicle speed control coupled with emergency health alerts, respectively.

For primary school participants, the winning project developed a sustainable smart home model integrating renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and smart agriculture techniques. Second place was awarded to a project focused on producing bioplastic from bananas, while the third-place project, “Drink Link,” centred on an innovative smart technology concept.

QSC Deputy Executive Director Abdulrahman Saleh Khamis highlighted that the school innovation competition aims to cultivate a culture of creativity and enable students to translate ideas into viable, applicable projects. He noted that these initiatives play an important role in preparing young generations to contribute to Qatar’s knowledge economy and the national development goals outlined in Qatar National Vision 2030. Khamis also commended the high calibre of the projects and expressed appreciation for continued collaboration with the MoEHE and the Ministry of Sports and Youth.

Fatima al-Muhannadi, QSC’s Administrative and Financial Affairs Director, noted that the “Researcher” competition has been held annually since its inception in 2017. She described both competitions as essential platforms for nurturing students’ research and innovation skills by combining scientific methodology with practical and technological applications.