Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), organised a ‘Coding is Cool’ workshop for 98 students from eight independent and private schools in Qatar to encourage interest in the field of computer science.
The event, held at the Qatar National Convention Centre and on the side-lines of QCRI’s annual meeting with the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (CSAIL), was part of a secondary-school student outreach initiative.
To explain the programme, Dr Eman Fituri, Director of Educational Initiatives at QCRI, said: “By organising our first ‘Coding is Cool’ workshop, we hope to inspire and educate young people about the importance of being able to code by demonstrating some of the technologies that are being developed at QCRI.”
Professor Daniela Rus, Director of CSAIL, a great proponent of introducing programming as part of the school system, was the keynote speaker. The event featured two inspiring presentations by Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar Alumni Hanan Alshikhabobakr – a 2013 Google scholarship recipient and founder of Qatar Robotics Institute for Development; and Ahmad Al Salama, who works at GE.
The demos showcased current research underway at QCRI, including a Braille keyboard – an application for smartphones that helps the visually impaired to type quickly and efficiently; a Kinect-based programme for exercise for the elderly based on fitness level; a state-of-the-art automated transcription system for Modern Standard Arabic (QCRI Advanced Transcription System – QATS); and the MicroMappers platform for rapidly assessing humanitarian disaster damage and the resulting needs, and advanced 3D video applications. Students were also able to see a live demonstration of cube robots and printable robots developed at CSAIL.
The eight schools that participated were: Tarek bin Zyad Independent Secondary School for Boys, Jassim bin Hamad Independent Secondary School for Boys, Rawda bint Mohamed Independent Secondary School for Girls, Omar bin Al-Khattab Independent School for Boys, Qatar Canadian School, Debakey High School, Qatar Academy Academic Bridge Program, and ACS International School.
QCRI’s 2015 summer internship programme is now accepting applications. More information on www.qcri.qa/join-us.The Peninsula
