The Qatar University students at the Imagine Cup finals in St Petersburg, Russia.
Doha: Members of an all-woman student team from Qatar University (QU) recently shared their experience of representing Qatar in the international finals of Microsoft’s prestigious student technology competition, the Imagine Cup.
Team Q-Spark was selected to take part in four days of finals held in St Petersburg, Russia, from July 9 to 12, after successfully making it through gruelling regional rounds.
The team members — third-year computer science students Latifa Talal Al Naimi, Amna Khalid Al Kaabi and Rahma Saleh Ali, and third-year computer engineering student Mariam Ali Ba Hameish — worked hard to sell their project, Artouch, to judges and other participants from 87 teams representing 71 countries in the finals.
Their idea used the latest Microsoft technology to create a 3D modelling system which enables museum visitors to virtually touch and feel museum artefacts, which is normally not allowed. The concept can also be used to benefit visually impaired visitors.
While the QU team was not one of the final prize-winners, it received very positive feedback about its project and enjoyed the opportunity to talk to students and technology experts from across the world.
Mariam Ali said: “I had a great time in the Imagine Cup; meeting new friends from different countries, learning new things and being challenged. We got an awesome opportunity to have a memorable experience.”
Her teammate Rahma Ali thanked all those who supported the team through the finals. “The Imagine Cup was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I honestly believe that even though we didn’t win, making it to the finals was totally worth it. I am very glad we got the opportunity to meet so many brilliant students and see so many great projects. The judges found our idea to be very interesting and that was a nice feedback.
“Most people were also impressed with the fact that we were all girls working in technology. I would highly recommend others to take part in the Imagine Cup in future.”
Team mentor and assistant professor of computer science at QU, Dr Osama Halabi, said: “The experience of attending the mighty student competition, the Imagine Cup, has been unforgettable. We had the chance to meet the smartest students from all over the world and see many innovative ideas and brilliant projects that might shape our future.
Team QSpark did an excellent job in both their presentation and their hands-on demonstration of the project — the judges were really interested in their idea and asked many questions.”
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