7th edition of Sanea inspires next gen innovators

Ibtechar, Qatar’s leading practical innovation solutions provider, under the patronage of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) and the sponsorship of Ras Laffan Industrial City Community Outreach Programme (RL-COP), has awarded the winners of the 7th edition of its flagship discovery and making Sanea Competition.A total of 19 teams from 10 schools took part in the Sanea Competition for Northern Area 2023-2024 edition. This year’s edition featured the introduction of ‘Sanea Labs’ at each participating school. Equipped with cutting-edge digital fabrication technologies and materials, including 3D printers, laser cutters, and electronics kits, and VR technology, the makerspaces serve as catalysts for hands-on learning and exploration.The annual Sanea Competition takes preparatory and high school students on a six-month journey of discovery, creativity, and making. It challenges young participants to identify real-world problems and leverage Science, Technology, Mathematics, and Engineering (STEM) skills to develop innovative solutions.An expert panel of judges provides consistent and in-depth feedback to help each team develop and refine their prototypes, assessing them for design, functionality, teamwork and presentation skills. The winners are selected after an extensive evaluation process that includes four evaluation cycles.The winners of the Sanea Competition for Northern Area 2023-2024 edition include: in the preparatory school category, the Smart Hall team from Al Khor Preparatory School for Girls claimed the first place for their project that converts kinetic energy generated during sports classes into electrical energy. The Smart Bracelet Design team from Talha ibn Ubaidullah Preparatory School secured the second place. Samisma Preparatory School for Boys won third place for the Automated Plant Irrigation project that aims to transform the watering process in agriculture into an electric one.In the high school category, Al Shamal Girls’ Secondary School clinched the first place with their project on creating an assistive device for students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to maintain focus in classes. Team Rayeq from Al Khawar Girls’ Secondary School achieved second place for their project on a wearable device linked to a mobile application to monitor vital body activities. The Ambulance Signal team from Al Ka’aban Boys’ Secondary School took third place for their project involving a signal that facilitates ambulance movement on congested roads.Speaking at the ceremony, Maryam Noaman al-Emadi, director of the Educational Guidance Department at MoEHE, commented: "The Ministry recognises the importance of providing students with the competencies they need to succeed in a rapidly changing global economy and an evolving technological world. This requires integrating knowledge, skills and the latest trends into distinct and well-planned learning experiences."In line with the Ministry’s strategic objectives that include achieving excellence in digital learning at all levels and adopting the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, while transforming schools into education beacons that provide safe, high-quality academic experiences for all students, the seventh edition of Sanea Competition provided a distinctive application model for these trends.”Nayef al-Ibrahim, CEO and co-founder of Ibtechar, said, "With each edition of the Sanea Competition our focus remains on enhancing and broadening the overall impact of the programme. The addition of Sanea Labs to the programme this year has accelerated our ambition to provide the best possible tools and environment for young minds to flourish and recognise the impact of technology for positive change in society.”Sheikha Dana al-Thani, senior officer at RL-COP, said: "Since the RL COP programme started, we have been investing in students of the schools that are located in the northern areas of Qatar. We have always realized their ability to innovate creatively, develop technologies and find solutions to real work issues. Therefore, we encouraged offering them the opportunity to be part of Sanea Competition.”Under the sponsorship of RL-COP, first-place winners of the competition received Lenovo Yoga Tab 11, while second-place winners took home the Quest 2 VR headset. Third-place winners won the Apple Watch SE 40.The Sanea Competition for Northern Areas 23-24 was conducted as part of a three-year agreement between Ibtechar, MoEHE, and RL-COP, and envisions to extend Sanea’s reach across 25 schools in Qatar’s Northern side over the next three years.