Tribune News Network
Doha
Qatar University (QU) has announced the winners of its ‘Innovators in Education Project’ for 2023-2024.
The project aims to recognise and reward innovative approaches to teaching and learning with the winnersselected on the basis of their outstanding contributions to educational practices, such as implementing new technologies, developing creative teaching methods, and ultimately promoting student engagement.
While contributing to the development of the innovation ecosystem, the project focuses on achieving Qatar’s vision to develop a knowledge-based economy and competencies within the nation.Besides fostering innovation and a culture of excellence within the realm of education, the project plays a vital role in shaping Qatar’s workforce which can drive innovation and progress in various sectors of the nation’s economy.
This collaborative effort between QU’s College of Education, represented by the National Centre for Educational Development, College of Engineering, and the Office of Strategic Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development is sponsored by ExxonMobil, Qatar. The project targets two categories of participants, namely, students in universities and colleges, and educators in schools, universities and colleges.The specific realms of the project are digital teaching aids and non-digital teaching aids.More than 210 projects were received in the initial stage, out of which 130 were shortlisted and after a round of further eliminations, 21 reached the final stage.
The finale of the project was held at a grand ceremony yesterday, at QU’s College of Education announcing the winning projects, in the presence of Dr Omar Al-Ansari, QU President, Prof Ibrahim Al-Nuaimi, undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and Acting President of ExxonMobil-Qatar, Shnnar Afili, in addition to several dignitaries and stakeholders in all spheres of education.20,000 QAR was awarded to the winners in the educator category in both fields, digital and non-digital teaching aids.In addition, second and third place prizes in both fields and for both categories were announced.
In a statement on this occasion, Prof Asmaa Al-Attiyah, dean of the College of Education, said, The “Innovators in Education” project emerged from the vision of the College of Education in building capacities, instilling an entrepreneurial spirit, creating an educational environment that supports innovation and creativity, and building professional learning communities that achieve sustainable learning. It was an appreciation for teachers, boosting their enthusiasm and pride in their profession, supporting their ideas, and rewarding their efforts. It also aimed at encouraging university students to take initiative and participate effectively in the educational process by working on their own projects, testing their ideas, so they become more confident and readier to face challenges and achieve their goals.
Dr Huda Salem Al-Kubaisi, director of the National Centre for Educational Development at the College of Education praised the relentless hours put in by the organising team from the National Centre for Educational Development, emphasising the importance of this project in education. She added that this project provides a stimulating environment, and a platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences between educators and university students, while promoting innovation in teaching aids, benefitting the education community in general and students in particular.She thanked ExxonMobil for their constant and continuous support for the projects of the College of Education.
In his comment, Dr Khaled Kamal Naji, dean of the College of Engineering, said: “The participation of the College of Engineering in this project supported the project’s vision of creating an educational environment that supports innovation and creativity, building professional learning communities that achieve sustainable learning.He further remarked that a project like this achieves a qualitative leap in education, and promotes intellectual development and constructive cooperation among members of the educational community.”
He added, “This project is one of the valuable initiatives that have worked to discover educational talents, through the Engineering Innovation and Education Unit at the College of Engineering.Educational curricula and assessment, assistive education, engineering education, and e-learning environments all stand to benefit through projects like this.”
Dr Saeed Al-Banna, director of the Centre of Entrepreneurship and Institutional Excellence at the College of Business and Economics, stated, “The Innovators in Education project is a creative platform for innovative products and technology supporting education, some of which can be transformed into nuclei for startups in educational technology.Hence, the office enthusiastically aids enterprising students and educators in the transition of these projects from competing innovations to becoming independent entrepreneurs.”
“I would like to thank our long-standing partner, Qatar University, and the National Centre for Educational Development at its College of Education for their hard work in developing and executing the Innovators in Education programme,” said Rashid Al-Hajri, vice president Strategic Relations and Public and Government Affairs Manager for ExxonMobil Qatar.
“ExxonMobil Qatar is supporting this important programme for the second year running as it aligns with the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third Qatar National Development Strategy of building a more educated and motivated talent base that is essential for Qatar’s future success. It also supports the development of innovation that will help drive economic growth through collaboration and quality education. We’re proud to be a part of it again and wish this year’s exceptional graduates all the best,” he added.
