Qatar has been at the forefront of using education to make a positive impact on the future of students by introducing them to the latest in the world of education and proactively bringing cutting-edge technology and science into the classrooms through curriculum and as part of extra-curricular activities. This intent can be seen from the activities organised by Qatar University and Qatar Foundation in different fields of study.
Global Sustainability Space Challenge Competition, recently launched by Qatar University, is a good example of the proactive thinking of the leadership to ready the next generation for the challenges of the future.
The first-of-its-kind global-level competition offers an opportunity for young people to explore innovative solutions to one of the exigent challenges that pose a threat to the planet and seeks to achieve an array of UN sustainable development goals 2030 through the adaption of ground-breaking technologies and space exploration as a momentum force to overcome the challenges facing life sustainability on earth. The preliminary phases of the competition will be held in the Metaverse, showing the readiness of Qatar’s education sector to embrace the latest technology for the benefit of the students and ultimately to improve the quality of life worldwide.
In his remark during the opening ceremony of the Global Sustainability Space Challenge Competition, QU President HE Dr. Hassan bin Rashid Al Derham said that “the competition comes in recognition of the instrumental role of education and educational institutions in bringing up generations of leaders and officials who are capable of finding out a sustainable and prosperous future in Qatar and a better world for all.” Qatar University made history recently by becoming the first university to join the Metaverse, a simulated virtual environment using augmented reality and virtual reality, along with concepts from social media, to create spaces for users to interact like in the real world. The university said at the time that this was done to give students access to space curricula and cutting-edge technologies like Web technology.
Underscoring what the university has been doing to keep relevant in modern times, Professor Rana Sobh, Dean of the College of Business and Economics at Qatar University, entered the Metaverse for the first time to deliver a keynote speech about the future of education during the launching event of Metavisionaries, a community of change agents, thought leaders, and business professionals dedicated to granting access to the space economy and cutting-edge technologies, said: “We should take the lead in pushing boundaries and keep reinventing our purpose, curricula and pedagogies to remain relevant and prepare our graduates for success in an increasingly turbulent, uncertain and challenging environment.”
