The Gas Processing Center (GPC) at the College of Engineering at Qatar University (QU) has concluded the 8th Gasna Competition for Schools for the year 2021/2022, which is sponsored by ExxonMobil on March 31, 2022.
The closing ceremony was attended by Dr. Khaled Kamal Naji, Dean of the College of Engineering, Dr. Mohammed Ali Saleh Saad, Director of the GPC, representing Qatar University, Mr. Rashid Al-Hajri from ExxonMobil, Ms. Noora Al-Mannai from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, as well as the winning schools, the competition judges and the event organizers.
Dr. Naji mentioned in his speach, “The competition aims to enhance understanding and awareness of the importance of the gas industry in Qatar’s economy and future. Therefore, we need today's youth to be passionate about studying engineering and technology to qualify them to lead this vital field for Qatar and the world. This competition will help students achieve that dream and encourage the next generation of engineers and scientists to embrace Qatar’s vision and translate it into reality.” Dr. Naji expressed his thanks and appreciation to the event Sponsor ExxonMobil and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education for their continuous support.
“ExxonMobil is pleased to be part of the 8th Gasna Competition. We became a supporter of this wonderful program in 2010 and in the years since, we have seen it grow to reach many students who have gone on to work in Qatar’s energy sector and contributed to its development,” said Rashid Al Hajri, Facilities Advisor at ExxonMobil Qatar.
“The Gasna competition provides insight into the energy sector and how it operates, as well as the technology that is used in real life situations related to production and environmental protection. As a pillar of Qatar’s economy and also one of the largest in the world, the energy sector is vital to the lives of people across the globe. Thanks to the dedication and efforts of the nation’s educators and programs like this competition, Qatar is nurturing a skilled workforce for strong, sustainable and balanced growth,” he added.
In her speech, Ms. Noora Al-Mannai said: “Today we are concluding our Gasna competition in a joint collaboration among all segments of the society. This competition is one of the important steps in developing scientific and practical skills, developing future generations, and enhancing their knowledge on the main natural resources in Qatar. This competition contributes to encouraging the students to study and participate in the field of natural gas and associated technologies related to its products. Therefore, we hope that such competitions will be the good seed to spread awareness of the importance of natural resources and their components for the State of Qatar in its quest to achieve sustainable development. These components works in harmony to achieve distinct integrated learning outcomes based on projects that combine culture and education, and link them with the local and international community in order to achieve the basic values, goals and objectives of the national framework of the Qatari curriculum.”
She concluded by: “We hope to keep offering such competitions and to continue cooperation between the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and Qatar University in various fields. The University showed their clear impact on the learning process and considering it one of the most interesting, vital and important fields. Qatar University is the link between human life and the local and international communities.
In his speech, Dr. Mohammed Ali Saad, Director of the GPC, indicated that: “GPC is proud to organize this competition in which about 200 schools in the State of Qatar, including National and international schools, have participated. The competition displayed participation from students at different levels in different format such as videos, models and posters as well performances. The contributions showed the potential of students in developing ideas pertaining to gas usage and indicated the awareness of young generation to environmental issues related to the gas industry.”
200 schools have registered for the competition, 144 schools participated through 4 categories:
1st category includes students from KG to grade 4
2nd category for grades 5 and 6
3rd category included grades 7 to 9 and
the 4th category included grades 10 to 12.
The 1st category participated with plays that were videotaped and sent to our judging team. The 2nd category participated with prototypes that were presented via previously recorded videos. The 3rd and 4th categories participated with either an educational poster or a prototype of a project related to gas processing and environment conservation.
The first category includes students from kindergarten to fourth grade, and the first place in this category was won by Amjad International School, followed by the Philippine School Doha, then Al-Khuzama Kindergarten in third place.
In the second category (for the fifth and sixth grades), the Philippine School Doha won the first place, followed by Amjad International School, and then the DPS - Modern Indian School in the third place.
In the third category (for grades seven to nine), Al-Aqsa Preparatory School for Girls won first place for the poster track, followed by Al-Manar International School, Al-Thameed Branch, followed by Rufaidah Bint Kaab Preparatory School for Girls in third place.
In the third category for Prototype track, the Palestinian School won first place, followed by the Philippine School Doha, and Elite International School in third place.
The fourth category included grades tenth to the twelfth with two tracks - poster and Prototype. The Next Generation School won first place in the poster course, followed by Dar Al Salam Indian School, then Al Furqan Private Secondary School in third place.
In the Prototype track, the Philippine International School won the first place, Qatar Technical Secondary School for Girls ranked second, and finally Ali bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani Secondary School ranked third.
Eighteen schools have been selected as winners in the four categories and a total of QAR 140,000 was awarded as prizes.
Source: QATAR UNIVERSITY