QU project inspires Qatar's youth to "start owning its future" 

(MENAFN Press) Doha, Qatar - Monday, December 3rd 2012

A Qatar University programme which inspires young people in the Gulf state to understand more about the nation's key natural resource of gas has just launched its 2013 campaign.

As the world's largest provider of liquefied natural gas (LNG), Qatar's ongoing development is underpinned by the drive to empower its young people to have the technical skills and abilities to lead the country and shape its future.

As part of its mission to develop local knowledge of the gas industry, Qatar University's College of Engineering established the Gas Processing Center (GPC), which works closely with the oil and gas industry. A key aspect of its work is engaging school children in Qatar to understand more about natural resources and their uses “ working to building an increased interest in the industry and inspire more of them to get involved in research and employment in the field.

Its Gasna competition targets pupils from kindergarten to year 12 at independent and international schools across Qatar. So far, 100 schools have registered for this year's event. Divided into five categories, the five-month long contest encourages individual, classroom or group participation. The children and students research the topic, creating collages, posters, songs, short stories, plays, movies, prototypes and research papers on the theme of gas, depending on their age. Each school holds an internal contest for each category, with the first place winners put through to the final national judging in April 2013.

The schools will be supported through visits, presentations, open days and workshops run by GPC staff and industry experts to motivate and inspire students and teachers. Sponsors of this year's contest include ConocoPhillips, Dolphin Energy, ExxonMobil, ORYX GTL, QAPCO, Qatargas and Qatar Shell, who all have a significant presence in Qatar. They will host some of the competitors at their centers at the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) as well as at the Ras Laffan and Mesaieed industrial sites to introduce them to modern techniques of gas production, exploration and storage.

Launching this year's contest, GPC Director Prof Abdelwahab Aroussi said: "We at GPC are proud to give the country's young minds the opportunity to better understand the country's abundant and valuable natural resources and to instil in them pride in and ownership of Qatar's future. They are the next business owners, teachers, engineers, scientists, CEOs and leaders of this country, and it is critical that they start owning that future today."

Last year's highly successful competition attracted 68 projects from 48 schools across the state.