- The AI-focused Hackathon attracted 70 participants from technical schools and universities in Qatar.
- The competition involved practical challenges related to robotics and sustainability, fostering hands-on learning.
- Participants received mentorship from QSC experts to enhance skills in problem-solving, public speaking, and idea presentation.
- Winning projects addressed key sustainability goals, including waste management, mental health, and smart infrastructure.
- The event emphasized teamwork, collaboration, and exposure to cutting-edge technologies and seasoned entrepreneurs.
Doha, Qatar, 30 November 2024: In an inspiring display of innovation, Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP)—a member of Qatar Foundation (QF)—in collaboration with Qatar Scientific Club (QSC) and the Ministry of Sports and Youth, organized a 72-hour AI-focused Hackathon during QSTP AI Week 2024, held to commemorate QSTP’s 15th anniversary.
The hackathon attracted 70 participants from four public technical schools in Qatar, along with 30 students from Qatar University and the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST). The competition, part of QSTP’s AI Week 2024, featured a series of innovative challenges designed to engage students in the practical applications of robotics to address real-world sustainability issues.
Participants, aged between 15 and 18 years, were divided into two categories: high school students, who tackled specific challenges, and university students, who had the freedom to address broader issues such as resource and waste management and sustainable agriculture.
Throughout the competition, participants attended hands-on workshops led by QSC mentors and experts, who guided them through the challenges, refining their skills in problem-solving, public speaking, and presenting ideas.
Dr. Jack Lau, President of QSTP, remarked: “The AI hackathon is an important initiative under our partnership with QSC to advance our shared objective of promoting innovation and enabling youth to contribute to Qatar National Vision 2030.
“It was incredibly refreshing to see the energy and enthusiasm of the participants—a clear indicator of how much they enjoyed being part of the AI Hackathon. We believe this was more than just a competition. It not only made students aware of key methodologies and tools to drive real change in society but also allowed them to appreciate the vital values of teamwork, collaboration, communication, and trust, which form the cornerstone of a successful team. The students also heard from seasoned entrepreneurs and explored cutting-edge technologies, which we hope have inspired them to continue innovating.”
Eman Al-Obaidi, Head of Public Relations and Communications at QSC, added: “We are delighted to have partnered with QSTP to combine our expertise in mentoring, empowering, and inspiring youth to shape the future of Qatar.
“The hackathon provided students with the opportunity to hone their programming skills and gain insights into environmental and social sustainability concepts in line with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event also served as a platform to strengthen teamwork and collaboration among students at different educational levels.”
Winners were selected based on the creativity of their solutions, the accuracy of their execution, and their ideas’ potential to achieve sustainability goals.
One of the winners, Aisha Hashim Al Saada from Qatar Technical School for Girls, whose team developed the ‘Smoke Guard’ project that utilizes robots to extinguish fires, praised the AI Hackathon experience: “It was wonderful to learn new skills, make new connections, and interact with established professionals in the tech industry.”
Another winner, Maryam Saad Al Badr, who was part of the team that developed ‘Smart Skies’—a weather station leveraging smart sensors to support airports—shared similar sentiments: “The overall experience of being part of this competition was great. I met new people, including technical experts, who helped guide us and strengthen our programming skills.”
Winning projects included:
- ‘Vision’ in the special needs category
- ‘Gulf Security Project’ in the security startup category
- ‘Trash Ready’ in the recycling startup category
- ‘Home AI’ in the smart homes startup category
- ‘AI Assistant for Mental Health’ in the mental health startup category
- ‘Health Plant’ in the agritech startup category
- ‘Robotic Arm Tank’ in the transportation startup category
- ‘AI Smart Trash’ in the smart waste management startup category
- ‘Smart Skies’ in the air tracking at airports startup category
- ‘Weather Station’ in the air tracking in industrial areas startup category
- ‘Smoke Guard’ in the smart fire systems startup category
- ‘AI Weather Project’ in the smart air systems startup category
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