Hamdan Foundation Unveils 4th Future Science Challenge For Arab Youth

The Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences has launched the fourth season of the "Future Science Challenge". Organised by the Hamdan Centre for Giftedness and Innovation, this competition now extends across the entire Arab world.

This initiative aims to foster innovation and creativity among young people. Participants are encouraged to explore new frontiers in science and technology. The theme for this season, "Fostering Positive Change in Society", invites participants to use modern technologies to address social challenges in healthcare, education, and living standards.

The competition offers talented students aged 10 to 17 from across the Arab world a chance to enhance their scientific and technical skills. It also provides a platform for showcasing their innovative abilities.

Humaid Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, highlighted the competition's importance. He stated, "The previous seasons of the competition attracted wide participation and significant interest from talented students across the GCC countries, motivating us to expand its reach to the entire Arab world. The projects submitted showcased exceptional levels of innovation and creativity in various domains, such as smart irrigation systems, health monitoring devices, and smart security systems. These projects are not merely conceptual; they are practical models that demonstrate the capability of young people to provide effective technological solutions to diverse challenges."

Participation Details

Interested participants can visit https://hamdanfsc.com for comprehensive information on application procedures and participation requirements. Upon registration, each team will create an account on the competition's electronic platform. Here, they can upload project files and access a training curriculum that includes educational materials on artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things.

The competition will unfold in two stages. In the first stage, teams will develop and submit their projects on the electronic platform for initial evaluation by a judging panel. The top ten projects in each age category will advance to the final stage.

Evaluation Criteria

The final stage involves online interviews with qualifying teams for detailed assessments. Winning teams will be selected based on criteria such as design and innovation, technology application, presentation skills, and alignment with the competition theme.

The competition will commence in September 2024 and conclude with announcing final results in February 2025. Activities include introductory meetings in September 2024, specialised training programmes in October 2024, and virtual project evaluations in January and February 2025.

A virtual closing ceremony on 27th February 2025 will recognise winners and distribute awards.

With inputs from WAM