Communication and information technology occupies great importance in our modern age, as it effectively and significantly contributes to accessing and acquiring information, and thus developing it, which is a reason for a huge scientific and knowledge revolution that facilitates human life by driving inventions in various fields.
Realizing the importance of preparing a generation of experts and innovators in this field, Qatar University Young Scientists Center has prepared and presented several courses and workshops in a program dedicated to information and communication technology for students at different academic levels. The center launched this program in 2020, to provide participants with twenty-first century skills by improving their capabilities in the field of information and communication technology, developing their creativity and using these skills as a lifelong learning tool.
The center developed a training program for high school students in mobile applications development, and specialists in an interactive manner gave them several workshops that lasted for several months to learn programming languages. Although these workshops were implemented virtually using modern learning methods, their output was great. For example, a group of students was able to make an application that helps students in chemistry to solve all chemical equations easily, and another application that helps visitors of the 2022 World Cup to learn about the most important tourist attractions in Qatar, which will guarantee them a distinct experience in the State of Qatar. The center also offered high school students a programming workshop for digital games, which lasted for five months. Through it, the students learned to develop games using programming languages. Students were able to apply what they learned in designing and making educational digital games. Another group of participants in the smart sensor workshop were able to learn the basics of programming using the language to make smart sensors with important realistic applications, such as the ultraviolet ray sensor that warns and reduces skin cancer.
The center also developed workshops for preparatory students in which they learned the basics of the programming to design a platform that enables users to develop applications. The workshops were implemented virtually and lasted a month. The workshop was characterized by strong outputs for several applications.
Primary school students also had a share of the center’s workshops in the field of information and communication technology, by introducing the Arduino program. What distinguishes this program is the integration of the field of electronics with the foundations of programming to stimulate the creative thinking of students, as the students built various projects using sensors and programing. Students acquired logical thinking skills that enable them to be creative and develop solutions to all contemporary problem.
Prof. Noora Al-Thani, Director of Qatar University Young Scientists Center, assured the expansion of the center’s aspirations with regard to information and communication technology programs, after the great success that was witnessed in the projects of the participating students. The development of the proposed programs and the provision of the latest programs and tools to implement them is one of the priorities of the center, in an effort to attract the largest number of Qatari youth to acquire basic skills that will open up various paths and horizons for them in the future.
Source: QATAR UNIVERSITY