9th Annual Alice Programming Competition Inspires Students in Doha, Qatar
The Hamad Bin Jassim Center for Computer Science Education in Doha, Qatar recently hosted its 9th annual Alice Programming Competition, inspiring hundreds of students from across the country to showcase their programming skills by designing games and animations. This competition, organized in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, attracted 115 student teams from 50 schools, each presenting unique projects on various topics such as cyber security, sustainability, crisis management, health and wellness, and entrepreneurship.
The importance of computing skills for pre-university students cannot be overstated in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape. With the support of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Qatar, the “Alice Middle East” program has been integrated into the ICT curriculum in government schools and many private schools, providing students with the necessary tools to succeed in a knowledge-based economy.
Khaled Haras, Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Professor of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, leads the Hamad Bin Jassim Center for K-12 Computer Science Education, which aims to enhance students’ computing skills, foster innovation, and promote scientific study through programs like “Alice in the Middle East” and “Mindcraft.”
Saeed Mudhkar Al Hajri, Managing Director of the Jassim and Hamad Bin Jassim Charitable Foundation, emphasized the foundation’s commitment to supporting students in Qatar and helping them acquire essential computing skills for the future. The long-standing partnership with Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar has already benefited thousands of students, and the hope is to attract even more in the years to come.
During the competition, student teams presented their projects to a jury, with Khalid Bin Ahmed Preparatory School team for boys winning first place in the advanced category and the Awfaz Global School team taking the top spot in the beginners category. Other schools like Birla Public School and Mesaieed International School also secured top positions, showcasing the impressive talent and creativity of young programmers in Qatar.
Overall, the 9th annual Alice Programming Competition was a resounding success, highlighting the importance of computing education and the bright future ahead for students in Qatar’s evolving technological landscape. With initiatives like these, the Hamad Bin Jassim Center for Computer Science Education is paving the way for a new generation of innovative thinkers and problem solvers in the country.