34 schools participate in WCM-Q research competition

Some 217 students from 34 high schools in Qatar, the UAE and Jordan presented their research projects to a panel of expert judges during this year's edition of the Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) High School Research Competition (HSRC).Organised by the WCM-Q's Office of Student Outreach and Educational Development, the competition is part of the Doctors of the Future Conference scheduled to take place on Feb 23-24, 2024.The competition aims to inspire high school students to explore medicine, employ scientific research methods, and develop their presentation skills.With a focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and their applications in Qatar, project themes included health and wellbeing, water and sanitation, sustainable cities and communities, and responsible consumption and production.Each school was represented by a maximum of four teams, comprising a maximum of five students from grades 9 to 12 and led by a science or math teacher. The teams representing Qatar presented their work at the WCM-Q headquarters, while the participating teams from other countries presented online.The competition is part of the Doctors of the Future Conference, a gathering of educational leaders and future medical professionals that is scheduled to take place on Feb 23-24, 2024. The top teams will be given the opportunity to present their projects during the conference, and three winning teams will be granted the prestigious Doctors of the Future Conference award.Associate Dean for Foundation, Student Outreach and Educational Development Programmes, Dr Rachid Bendriss, said that participating in these events helps sharpen a student's critical thinking and problem-solving skills, fosters friendships, and serves as a platform for nurturing the next generation of scientists and scholars. This valuable experience will undoubtedly positively influence future academic and professional pursuits.Director of Premedical Administration, Student Outreach & Educational Development, Noha Saleh, said that the competition provided a platform for students to cultivate their passion for science and enhance their academic excellence. The students demonstrated admirable enthusiasm throughout their research project presentations, a testament to their eagerness to learn more about medicine. She expressed her confidence that many of them will be interested in pursuing science careers in the future.