IJSO Organization Delegation Meets Qatar Scientific Committee
The scientific committee of the International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO) chaired by Dr. Khalid Al-Ali, the Assistant Undersecretary for Higher Education Affairs, held a meeting this morning with a delegation from the IJSO organization chaired by its president Professor Joshi Paresh, who is currently visiting the country to learn about Qatar's preparations for the 16th International Junior Science Olympiad which will be held in December.
The meeting discussed the technical details of the Olympiad questions. The delegation received a brief from Dr. Al-Ali on the mission of the scientific committee. The committee is divided into four sub-committees dealing with Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and the practical applications (laboratories).
Dr. Al-Ali added that the scientific committee is comprised of 60 members, including heads of departments and assistant deans from Qatar University, top professors Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Medicine while cooperating with the universities of the Education City. Besides, the committee works with orientation and evaluation experts at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and distinguished coordinators and teachers of international and government schools.
The IJSO delegation were briefed about the mechanism and criteria for developing the Olympiad questions by representatives of the four teams of Physics, Biology and Chemistry, as well as the practical applications team. The two sides had extensive discussions on the technical details for the development of the test questions.
The delegation visited yesterday Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) to inspect the testing venue and the hall hosting the opening and closing ceremonies. The IJSO delegation also visited the Marquis Marriott Hotel, the residence of the participating team leaders, the correction and deliberation rooms at the hotel. Members of the delegation also inspected the residence of students at Ezdan Palace Hotel before paying a visit to Qatar Science and Technology Park.
The IJSO delegation is also visiting a number of proposed sites for non-curricular activities, including the Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar National Museum and Souq Waqif. The delegation will conclude its visit on Tuesday with a meeting with Ms. Fawzia Abdulaziz Al-Khater, the Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs and Vice-Chairperson of the Organizing Committee of the International Junior Science Olympiad.
The State of Qatar will host the 16th International Junior Science Olympiad from 3 to 12 December. It will be the first Arab country to host this prestigious event, with the number of participating countries reaching 62 so far, making this edition the largest in the history of the Olympiad. IJSO aims to promote the spirit of excellence in the field of science and to celebrate gifted students and motivate them to refine and develop their talents in the field of natural sciences. As the host country, the State of Qatar is entitled to participate with a team composed of 18 students in the Olympiad. The students are currently being trained under highest standards for the upcoming Olympiad in Doha in cooperation with Qatar University and the different universities in Education City.