Doha: The Ministry of Sports and Youth (MSY) announced the launch of the "Young Inventors" program, in cooperation with specialized institutions in the fields of education, research, and entrepreneurship, with the aim of providing an integrated environment to develop participants' skills and transform their ideas into implementable projects.
According to Qatar News Agency, Director of the Youth Affairs Department at the Ministry of Sports and Youth, Fawaz Abdullah Al Musaifri, said that the program aims to invest in young people's potential and turn their ideas into practical projects that contribute to building a knowledge- and technology-based economy and enhance the sustainability of youth work in the country.
He added that the program aligns with the Qatar National Youth Policy approved by the Council of Ministers, which focuses on building youth capacities and enhancing their active participation in comprehensive development. He noted that such initiatives reflect the Ministry's commitment to supporting innovation and empowering youth by providing applied spaces that allow them to test and develop their ideas within an environment that encourages creativity.
The Director of the Youth Affairs Department explained that the program targets young people aged between 15 and 30 who are interested in technology, science, and the development of innovative skills, with participants required to attend the full program for ten days and work in teams. He pointed out that applying for the program requires completing the electronic registration form during the registration period and attaching a copy of the personal ID and a CV outlining the applicant's interests and motivations for participation.
He emphasized that participants will receive several benefits, including financial prizes for winners, the development of practical skills in research and innovation, interaction with specialists and experts, and obtaining an "Innovator" certificate from the Qatar Scientific Club.
In a related context, the Qatar Scientific Club organized the "Challenge and Innovation" hackathon as an applied program aimed at translating creative ideas into implementable technological solutions. The hackathon is based on working within a specific time frame, during which participants go through integrated stages that include idea development, design, planning, and building prototypes, under the supervision of specialized experts and mentors.
The hackathon witnessed the participation of young innovators who presented projects in various fields, including health, smart agriculture, safety, the environment, and artificial intelligence, all of which focused on addressing practical challenges through innovative technological solutions. At the conclusion of the hackathon, participants presented their projects before a specialized evaluation committee, which assessed the works based on criteria including creativity, feasibility, societal impact, and quality of presentation.
These initiatives come within the vision of the Ministry of Sports and Youth to build a youth ecosystem capable of contributing effectively to innovation and development pathways, and to enhance the role of youth in a knowledge- and technology-based economy.