Ashghal, QSC launch third edition of 'Future Engineer' programme

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal), in co-operation with the Qatar Scientific Club (QSC), has launched the third edition of the “Future Engineer” programme.

The programme, according to a statement from Ashghal, targets high school students to familiarise them with the various specialisations and fields of engineering by offering several workshops in several engineering disciplines noting their importance and advantages.

To run from July 14-24, the programme has 30 participants who receive useful and necessary engineering information through workshops and field visits in Ashghal and QSC laboratories and departments.

They will learn about the tasks of the Ashghal’s Engineering Services Department and the nature of their work.

Tours will be organised to the Quality and Safety Department to introduce the rules of safety, quality of chemically and biologically treated water and inspection of construction materials.

They will also be introduced to the Drainage Operation and Maintenance Department and the bases and mechanisms for monitoring drainage systems.

The students will be introduced to the specialisations of engineers of the Buildings Projects Department while attending the presentation on maps and viewing the design and details of projects.

In the second week of the programme, participants will receive training at the QSC, where they will learn about the concept of innovation, sustainable development goals and a brainstorming workshop.

Participants will then undergo a hackathon in a race against time to turn their ideas into prototypes and verify in practical ways the hypotheses they have developed.

Lastly, the final model will be presented in the closing exhibition and evaluated by engineers and field experts.

QSC deputy executive director Abdulrahman Khamis stated that the club's management ensured that the “Future Engineer” programme is comprehensive and achieves the goal.

“We have also ensured that the programme is engineering-focused in terms of project selection, and utilises the engineering method in transforming prototypes into a final executable model,” he noted.

Ashghal Public Relations and Communications Department manager Abdulla al-Saad said that the organisers aim to develop students' scientific and practical abilities and skills through the programme.

“Students will participate in this edition of the hackathon competition to find technological solutions to various problems faced in infrastructure projects by turning ideas and innovations into reality,” he said.

Human Resources Department manager Rashid Saeed al-Hajri said that Ashghal pays great attention to our students of all academic levels, especially the secondary level, in choosing engineering majors in all its fields as a future academic specialisation.

“We always aim to provide comprehensive and distinctive training programmes which develop the skills and human capabilities of students, which will be presented in two phases,” he said.

QSC Public Relations and Communications Section head Eman al-Obaidi said that engineering is the backbone of building nations and by which nations rise.

“Therefore, our focus on engineering is a result of engineers being the ones who build the bases of the country’s advancement and success,” he said.