Qatari project among 2015 Wise Awards winners

The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), a leading international initiative of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) that is driving innovation and collaboration in education, has announced the six 2015 WISE Awards winning projects, including the Qatari project Al-Bairaq.

Since 2009, the WISE Awards have identified and promoted some of the most effective practices in tackling urgent global education challenges. The Awards are also a central pillar in achieving QF’s mission of developing a knowledge-based economy by unlocking human potential and fostering a progressive and engaged society. A jury comprised of education leaders selected the winning projects from a shortlist of 15 finalists. The winning projects address education issues linked to literacy, special needs, access and employment.

The Qatari project Al-Bairaq is a non-traditional educational programme based at the Center for Advanced Materials (CAM) at Qatar University.  Supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, Al-Bairaq immerses secondary students in hands-on science activities, builds appreciation for the work of scientists, and offers students new opportunities.

Dr Noora Jabor Al-Thani, Project Representative of Al-Bairaq, said: “Winning the WISE Award is a great honour, particularly as Al-Bairaq is the first Qatari project to be recognised since the inception of the Awards.  I hope this recognition will help raise awareness about the need to develop new approaches to tackle education problems worldwide. Our programme has adopted innovative techniques to attract young people to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, and to show them the beauty and excitement of the world of science.  I am really excited and confident that the WISE Award will encourage educators to rethink their teaching methodology, especially when it comes to these fields.”