Dr. Awni Al Otoom (left) with the winners.
Doha, Qatar: The University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) and Qatar Shell have concluded the NXplorer Pro Skills Competition, a collaborative initiative between Shell, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and leading educational institutions. The competition showcases the commitment of these entities to innovation, creative thinking and social responsibility.
Teams of engineering students from UDST’s College of Engineering Technology took part in the competition, demonstrating their innovative thinking and problem-solving skills.
The competition framework comprised several stages, starting with a workshop where students engaged in facilitated NXplorers discussions and online classes.
Following this, the teams submitted their ideas, underwent a shortlisting process, participated in an internal competition, and finally, the top teams advanced to the final competition where they joined a live pitching event at an award ceremony.
Throughout the competition, students learned to adopt a holistic approach when solving problems.
They thoroughly discussed the pros and cons of their proposals and considered their impact on various stakeholders, including government entities, fishers, farmers, and the community as a whole. The first, second, and third-place winners from UDST proposed practical and scientific solutions to pressing issues such as food security, waste management, and support for people with disabilities.
Dr. Awni Al Otoom, Dean of the College of Engineering Technology, emphasised the significance of creative thinking in graduate attributes at the University. He commended the initiative, stating, “This programme that Shell has developed aligns well with our mission to support the Qatar National Vision 2030 and to develop a skilled and creative thinking workforce. This enables us to train our community’s future leaders and graduate more job creators than job seekers.”
The Shell NXplorers Pro competition serves as a flagship STEM competition for Shell and emphasises their commitment to corporate social responsibility. NXplorers Pro is an academic course that provides students with an opportunity to develop a new way of thinking to solve complex problems while fostering a deep understanding of creating a better, more sustainable future.
By participating in such endeavors, the College emphasizes the importance of practical application of knowledge and the development of critical skills in engineering students. Their involvement in these collaborative initiatives strengthens the ties between industry and academia, leading to mutual benefits and a positive impact on society.
