(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Qatar Foundation's (QF) Pre-University Education (PUE), in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology through its Studio 5 initiative, organised a hackathon event reflecting QF's commitment to fostering innovation, creativity, and critical thinking among its students.
A total of 18 students from Qatar Academy Sidra and Academyati, both part of QF's Pre-University Education, participated in the event, developing creative ideas that explore the future of humanity and human behaviour amid rapid technological advancement. Their projects examined how innovation can shape human values and the future of education, aligning with the overarching theme of WISE 12 'Humanity: Humanity in the Age of Technology'.
During the event, students showcased their projects to a panel of experts in education, technology, and innovation. Two teams from Academyati,“Nabd,” the team that won first place, and“Keep Close,” the second finalist, were selected to present their work during a dedicated session at the upcoming WISE 12 summit.
Sara al-Hajri, director of Student Affairs and Community Engagement at QF's Pre-University Education, said:“The Hackathon embodies QF's vision of making education a living, interconnected experience with the community. Through this event, we provide students with a space to think creatively, explore ideas, and engage with real-world issues that shape both their present and their future.
“We believe that technology should serve humanity – not the other way around – and that education is the platform that enables future generations to use innovation while maintaining a balance between technological progress and human values.”
Al-Hajri emphasised the importance of developing students' skills and engaging them in such experiences, saying involving students in hands-on initiatives like the Hackathon provides them with opportunities to gain real-world skills in innovation and teamwork, while strengthening their ability to think critically and creatively.
“Experiences like these open new opportunities for applying knowledge in real-life contexts and instill confidence in students to transform their ideas into solutions that benefit society,” she said.
She explained that this initiative serves as a practical reflection of QF's Pre-University Education vision, which places people and values at the heart of the learning process and empowers students to become active contributors within a rapidly evolving, technology-driven society.
At the conclusion of the Hackathon, Nouf Abdulaziz al-Haddad, head of Digital Competencies at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and project manager of Studio 5, emphasised:“This collaboration builds on the Ministry's ongoing efforts to achieve the objectives of the Digital Agenda 2030 by investing in the development of national talent, providing access to training programmes, and contributing to the creation of advanced learning environments that offer participants hands-on learning opportunities and equip them with modern tools and technologies to enhance their digital skills and drive innovation and creativity.”

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