Region’s Brightest Innovators Revealed on Stars of Science
Thousands of hopefuls vied to be named the Arab world’s best innovator on Season 9 of Qatar Foundation’s (QF’s) Stars of Science TV program, and now, after three intense rounds of casting, nine innovators have been chosen to compete for the highly-coveted title.
Hassina Bacha envisions clear eyesight for children everywhere, while Fouad Maksoud dreams of multi-functional, life-saving clothes. Mindful of a healthy lifestyle, Mohamad Farag is looking to turn the exercise world upside down. Planning to change lives of both the young and the old, Meshal Alshahrani takes navigation for Mecca pilgrims to a whole new level.
Ahmed Nabeel’s surgical tool idea will no doubt blow away surgeons and patients around the world. Another science sensation is Mohammed Al-Jefairi, tackling the nexus of sign language and education. Wassim El Hariri takes on the hospital food game, gearing for efficiency and convenience. Arabic coffee addicts will fall in love with Wissam Manshi’s invention. Zainab Abosuhail does not fix anything if it’s not broken, but if it is, she knows effective ways to put broken bones back together.
“Great ideas are the product of collaboration,” said Khalifa Al Kubaisi, Head of Press Office, QF. “Stars of Science innovators will have access to a vast innovation ecosystem. They will leverage these resources – and each other – to develop real prototypes that have the potential to improve lives in the region and throughout the world.”
Next weekend’s episode, featuring Season 2 winner and Prototec founder Sadeq Qassim, will provide an in-depth look at the progress made by the first group. Natural communicator Mohammed Al-Jefairi will showcase an interactive robotic teacher for the deaf, designed to help teach young children sign language. Headstrong Ahmed Nabeel is developing a self-cleaning laparoscope with a virtual beam, a surgical tool that could help surgeons save time in the operating room and help students track operations with more precision. The witty Wissam Manshi is working on an Arabic coffee robotic waiter that autonomously serves Arabic coffee at events.
The following week’s broadcast airing on November 3 and 4, featuring Season 1 winner and Roadie Tuner founder Bassam Jalgha, pits the other laboratory’s inhabitants against each other. The charismatic Fouad Maksoud works on a Nano-shielding textile machine that uses the power of petrochemicals to turn clothing waterproof. He will compete with the talented Zainab Abosuhail. Her idea for an automatic cast-making machine could change the way broken bones are mended. Both have to watch out for methodical Mohamed Farag. His ‘Smart gym retrofit kit’ idea blends technology with old exercise equipment to revolutionize workouts.
In the last of the prototyping episodes, the final laboratory will have a chance to show off their projects to the jury, with an appearance from alumnus and tech entrepreneur Anwar Almojarkesh. Bookworm Hassina Bacha will demo a device that tests children for vision problems. Whiz-kid engineer Meshal Alshahrani will unveil a Hajj navigation bracelet that aims to help pilgrims navigate the Holy City of Mecca without getting lost. Lastly, the brilliant Wassim El Hariri will demonstrate his ‘hospital patient food-delivery robot’ designed to serve meals to hospital patients.
Join us for the prototyping rounds and root for your favorite innovator. They will need all the support they can get as many trials and tribulations await them in coming rounds.
Do you have what it takes to be successful on Stars of Science Season 10? Enter to find out! We are accepting applications for the next season through December 1, 2017. Visit www.starsofscience.info/applynow/sos.html to register today.
For a full broadcast guide or to catch up on episodes, please visit: www.starsofscience.com
ENDS
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For further information, please contact:
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Stars of Science
Stars of Science, the flagship “edutainment reality” TV format initiated by Qatar Foundation, is the Arab world’s leading innovation show that enables the region’s aspiring science and technology entrepreneurs.
Throughout the season nine innovators are challenged to develop creative solutions to regional problems within the fields of computing & information technology, energy, environment, and health. An expert panel of jurors assesses and eliminates innovators and their projects in Prototyping and Customer Validation episodes until only four remain. These four finalists vie for a share of $600,000 in funding, determined by a jury deliberation and online voting from the public.
Stars of Science airs every Saturday from September 23rd 2017 until November 25th 2017. Please go to www.starsofscience.com for a full list of broadcasters or to catch up on episodes.
Regional broadcasting details are as follows:
Qatar, Al Rayyan TV: Fridays: 18:00 GMT
Lebanon, LBC & LDC: Saturdays 15:00 GMT
Oman, Oman TV Culture Channel: Saturdays 15:30 GMT
Algeria, Echorouk TV: Saturdays 18:00 GMT
Iraq, Al Sumaria: Saturdays 18:30 GMT
Jordan, Al Roya: Saturdays 18:30 GMT
Kuwait, Al Rai TV: Saturdays 20:30 GMT
Episode will be uploaded on the SOS website at 21:30 GMT
Additional Screenings
Al Rayyan TV: Saturdays 17:00 QAT
Algeria, Echorouk TV: Saturdays 23:00 ALG, 24:00 ALG
Iraq, Al Sumaria: Saturday night 03:00 AST, Sunday morning 13:45 AST, Thursday night 22:45 AST
Qatar Foundation – Unlocking Human Potential
Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development (QF) is a private, non-profit organization that is supporting Qatar on its journey from a carbon economy to knowledge economy by unlocking human potential, for the benefit of not only Qatar, but the world. Founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Emir, QF is chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser.
QF’s work encompasses education, research and community development. World-class universities are brought to Qatar to help create an education sector in which young people can develop the attitudes and skills required for a knowledge economy. At the same time, QF builds Qatar's innovation and technology capacity by developing and commercializing solutions through key sciences. The Foundation also works to foster a progressive society while enhancing cultural life, protecting Qatar’s heritage and addressing immediate social needs in the community.
