(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Peninsula
Doha: The third edition of the Young Innovator Award (YIA), organised by the Qatar Environment and energy Research Institute (QEERI) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, concluded on a high note with more than 600 school students from across Qatar engaged in offering resourceful solutions to the topic,“Old problems, new solutions: the next big thing for the Energy-Water-Environment nexus?”
YIA, one of QEERI's annual student outreach initiatives, offered students an immersive experience by challenging them to think innovatively to develop solutions to tackle challenges within the Energy-Water-Environment (EWE) nexus.
The award, which has earned a place of distinction among local, community, and international schools in Qatar, was held on the sidelines of QEERI's flagship forum, the International Conference on Sustainable Energy-Water-Environment Nexus in Desert Climate 2021.
Hazzan Zayan and Amro Abbas, of the Palestinian School – winners of the Intermediate Category 2 – said,“It is great to learn about the different ways that the challenges facing the EWE nexus can be addressed. Our project focused on how pollutants can be removed from water, and it was good to hear feedback from judges who actually work in research and industry.”
The excitement was echoed by Anna Jerry Manathra of the Rajagiri Public School, whose team was placed first in the Senior Category 1 level. She said:“I am proud to have represented my school in this amazing competition and to have won first place for the second year in a row. YIA is definitely a unique learning experience.”
The judging panel for YIA2021 included representatives from industry and research arenas in Qatar, including Kahramaa-Tarsheed, Ashghal, TotalEnergies, Texas A&M University at Qatar, Ooredoo, Qatar Green Building Council, Qatar Scientific Club, the Ministry of Public Health, and QEERI.
Shireen Obeidat of Qatar Green Building Council returned for the second year as a YIA judge and commended the students for their hard work and research skills.“I was truly impressed with the high quality of work that I saw from the students during the competitions. It shows a keen interest in learning how the world can be made a better place, and I must applaud the students, their teachers, and parents for encouraging them.”
In keeping with the current restrictions, the finals were held virtually over three days. The proceedings were attended by enthusiastic teachers, parents, and the wider community. They were moderated by QEERI's PR, communications, and outreach specialist and YIA Coordinator, Dilraz Kunnummal.
Dr. Marc Vermeersch, Executive Director, QEERI, said:“As the leader in Qatar in research, development, and innovation in energy, water, and environment, QEERI sees the promotion of science and the environment among young people as a fundamental component of its mission. Besides, inspiring the youth and increasing their awareness on the pertinent topics within the EWE nexus such as renewable energy, sustainability, water reuse, and climate change, the YIA is a clear demonstration of positively engaging the citizens of tomorrow to think deeply and creatively today on persisting contemporary topics that must be addressed urgently and cannot be wished away.”
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