Doha: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) organized, over two days, the finals of the second National Olympiad For Programming, Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity for school students. 450 male and female students from more than 100 public and private schools participated in the Olympiad, with the contest’s final qualifiers starting yesterday and concluding today. They competed in the preliminary qualifiers, of whom 160 students qualified to participate in the finals.
According to Qatar News Agency, in her speech during the closing ceremony, Director of the Educational Guidance Department at MoEHE Maryam Nouman Al Emadi emphasized that the Ministry aims to provide a platform through these competitions for students to showcase their skills. The initiative seeks to motivate students to think critically and creatively, enhancing their problem-solving skills and their ability to use modern tools to create innovative technological solutions.
She explained that the Olympiad is one of the initiatives aimed at developing entrepreneurship systems in schools, and building students’ capacities in programming, algorithms, programming and designing mobile applications, cybersecurity, embedded systems projects, and computer vision. The current version witnessed the addition of two courses: website design and development, and computer network development and design.
Director of the Technical and Specialized Education Department, Eng. Hashem Al Sada, confirmed that technical and specialized schools in the country achieved distinguished success during their participation in the second edition of the Olympiad. Notable schools, including Qatar School of Science and Technology, Qatar Technical School for Boys, Qatar Technical School for Girls, and Al-Maahad Al Addeeni Preparatory and Secondary School for Boys, secured five advanced positions in the competition, reflecting the efforts of the administrative and educational staff.
Regarding the development of educational curricula, Eng. Al Sada explained that artificial intelligence has become a pivotal element in various aspects of life. Specialized schools have begun integrating it into several curricula, with plans to launch a new curriculum aimed at employing artificial intelligence in a systematic and academic manner.
In the Programming and Algorithms course, Ahmed bin Hanbal Secondary School for Boys took first place, followed by Jassim bin Hamad Secondary School for Boys in second, and Al Ma’had Al Dini Preparatory Secondary School for Boys in third. For girls, Qatar Technical Secondary School for Girls secured first place, with Al Shaima Secondary School for Girls and the Tunisian School for Girls in second and third, respectively.
In the Mobile Applications Design and Programming course, Hassan bin Thabit Secondary School for Boys claimed first place, followed by Abdullah bin Ali Al Misnad Secondary School for Boys in second, and Musab bin Omair Secondary School for Boys in third. For girls, Al-Wukair Secondary School for Girls took first place, with Al Shaima Secondary School for Girls and Amna bint Wahb Secondary School for Girls in second and third.
In the Website Design and Programming course, Ahmed bin Hanbal Secondary School for Boys secured first, Abdullah bin Ali Al-Misnad Secondary School for Boys took second, and Ahmed bin Mohammed Secondary School for Boys came third. For girls, Al Wakra Secondary School for Girls won first, followed by Al Shaima Secondary School for Girls in second, and Al Bayan Secondary School for Girls in third.
In the Cyber Security course, Musab bin Omair Secondary School for Boys placed first, Qatar Technical Secondary School for Boys took second, and Tariq bin Ziyad Secondary School for Boys came third.
Simaisma Secondary School for Boys triumphed in the Embedded Systems Projects course, with Omar bin Al Khattab Secondary School for Boys in second, and Mohammed bin Abdul Wahab Secondary School for Boys in third.
In the Computer Networks course, Khalifa Secondary School for Boys took first, Qatar Technical Secondary School for Boys came second, and Hassan bin Thabit Secondary School for Boys placed third.
Qatar Technical Secondary School for Girls secured first place in the Computer Vision Projects course, with Mesaieed Preparatory Secondary School for Boys in second, and Simaisma Secondary School for Boys in third.
At the end of the ceremony, Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs, Maha Zayed Al Qaqaa Al Ruwaili, honored the winners with shields and certificates of appreciation. The closing ceremony featured a theatrical performance showcasing the life of scientist Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, presented by the students of Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib School. They highlighted the importance of Arab scientists in building civilization, while students of Al Israa Primary School for Girls presented a segment featuring prominent Arab scientists.
It is worth noting that the National Olympiad for Programming, Artificial Intelligence, and Cybersecurity is the qualifying championship to select the best students to participate in regional and international competitions in programming, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.