Stars of Science Alumni at Forefront of Fight against COVID-19

Stars of Science alumni have joined the global fight against COVID-19, answering the call to collaborate and help their communities face challenges in the wake of the pandemic.

“Perseverance is a virtue that Stars of Science has emphasized to all of its contestants since the show started in 2009,” said Wadha Al-Adgham, Program Manager of Education at Qatar Science & Technology Park. “The importance of effective problem-solving has been highlighted as scientists work at a furious pace to help the world cope with an unprecedented crisis. The Arab world and beyond can depend on our alumni network as an invaluable resource, with inventors dedicated to giving back to their communities.”

Several alumni from the Qatar Foundation (QF) TV show have used their talents to reinforce the healthcare sector. Frontline employee, Zainab Abosuhail, a Season 9 contestant, puts her life on the line working as a nurse and helping treat coronavirus patients every day.

Others devised ways to protect the lives of healthcare workers. Dr. Mohamad Ziad Chaari, Season 3 alumnus, and Abdulrahman Saleh Khamis, Season 11 finalist, designed multiple innovations including a protective suit equipped with a respirator to purify and filter air. Season 3 finalist Mohammed Al-Rifai and Season 9 contestant Wassim El Hariri focused on prevention and came up with a hand sanitizer wristband and a cutting-edge disinfecting robot.

Former contestants also sought to bolster critical healthcare resources. Dr. Nour Majbour, Season 10 finalist, won an innovation award from QF’s Hamad Bin Khalifa University for her work on a novel COVID-19 testing kit. Many alumni across the world worked on mechanical ventilators and a group of them utilized the show’s alumni network to share knowledge such as Amine Mohamed Besbes from Season 5, Mohamed Farag from Season7, Dr. Mourad Benosman from Season 9, and Dr. Youssef El Azzouzi from Season 11.

Elsewhere, innovators from the Stars of Science network assisted communities in spreading valuable information. Majed Lababidi, Season 3, developed a mobile application to raise awareness and increase prevention among the diverse communities in Qatar. Dr. Imadeddine Azzouz, from Season 11, created an application that connects volunteers with places in need, such as in hospitals across Paris. Dr. Mohamed Watfa, from Season 4, and Anwar Almojarkesh, from Season 5, focused their efforts on community support by hosting workshops for teachers or developing applications to help people fight the virus.

Watch the Season 12 semi-final this weekend across eight channels, tuning in to find out who will secure their place in the Grand Final and grab a share of the $600,000 seed fund.

For the broadcast guide, please visit www.starsofscience.com

About Stars of Science

As the premier innovation show in the Arab world, Stars of Science – the edutainment TV initiative of Qatar Foundation (QF) – empowers Arab innovators to develop technological solutions for their communities, benefitting people’s health and lifestyles, and helping to preserve the environment.

Over a 12-week process, the contestants demonstrate the effectiveness of their solutions in a shared innovation space, competing against time with the support of a team of experienced engineers and product developers. An expert panel of jurors assess and eliminate projects every week across several prototyping and testing rounds, until only four finalists remain to compete for a share of $600,000 in seed funding. Jury deliberation and online voting from the public determine the rankings.

Stars of Science will air every Friday and Saturday from September 11, 2020 till November 6, 2020. Please visit the broadcast guide for channels and timings: starsofscience.com 

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Qatar Foundation – Unlocking Human Potential

Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) is a non-profit organization that supports Qatar on its journey to becoming a diversified and sustainable economy. QF strives to serve the people of Qatar and beyond by providing specialized programs across its innovation-focused ecosystem of education, science and research, and community development.

QF was founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Amir, and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, who shared the vision to provide Qatar with quality education. Today, QF’s world-class education system offers lifelong learning opportunities to community members as young as six months through to doctoral level, enabling graduates to thrive in a global environment and contribute to the nation’s development.

QF is also creating a multidisciplinary innovation hub in Qatar, where homegrown researchers are working to address local and global challenges. By promoting a culture of lifelong learning and fostering social engagement through programs that embody Qatari culture, QF is committed to empowering the local community and contributing to a better world for all.

For a complete list of QF’s initiatives and projects, visit http://www.qf.org.qa