Students from Qatar Shine at Arab AI Olympiad
The Arab Artificial Intelligence Olympiad recently took place in Amman, Jordan, with students from Qatar showcasing their exceptional talent in various competitions. The event, organized by the Arab Robotics and AI Association in collaboration with STEAM Center, aimed to provide a platform for Arab youth to excel in programming, mathematics and algorithms, computer vision, cybersecurity, and embedded systems.
Over 150 students from Jordan, Palestine, Kuwait, Libya, Yemen, and Egypt, representing more than 20 schools and 13 universities from around the Arab world, participated in the Olympiad. Notably, three students from Qatar University (QU) impressed the judges with their outstanding performance.
Faisal Abdullah Salam Batis, Marcus Wein Esmiller Monteiro, and Galal Faez Salem Ban Amr stood out from the competition, earning themselves the prestigious Talent Scholarship upon their acceptance to QU. These students demonstrated their excellence in multiple categories, securing top positions in various courses at the Olympiad. Marcus and Galal claimed the first place in the programming course, while Marcus, Galal, and Faisal achieved the second position in the embedded systems course. Faisal also secured the third spot in the mathematics and algorithms category.
The Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Qatar played a vital role in supporting the participation of students from different schools and universities. Despite not being able to physically attend the event in Jordan, the Ministry ensured that the participants had access to the necessary resources to complete their tasks remotely from the Ministry’s office.
Dr. Saleh Al Hazbi, a Lecturer of Computer Science at QU, emphasized the significance of the Artificial Intelligence Olympiad in raising awareness about the growing relevance of AI in today’s world. He expressed pride in the exceptional achievements of the students who were accepted into QU’s Talented Students Program, stating that they have surpassed their peers in this competition.
Marcus Monteiro, the winner of first place in the programming course, shared his thoughts on the experience. He admitted feeling nervous initially, considering the stiff competition from participants representing other countries. However, as the questions started, Marcus and his colleague, Galal, grew more confident. Marcus’s determination to win for Qatar prevailed, ultimately leading them to victory.
The Arab AI Olympiad served as a platform to recognize and reward young talents in the field of artificial intelligence. With the support of institutions like the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Qatar, these competitions inspire and encourage students to further develop their skills and knowledge in this rapidly advancing field.
The exceptional achievements of these Qatari students undoubtedly highlight the nation’s dedication to nurturing and harnessing the potential of its youth. Their success serves as a testament to Qatar’s commitment to excellence in the fields of technology and education, and they are deserving recipients of the Talent Scholarship offered by Qatar University.
