Quality Prototypes Propel Algerian and Syrian Innovators

Quality Prototypes Propel Algerian and Syrian Innovators

DOHA, Qatar, October 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --



Innovators move to next stage in Stars of Science on MBC4 



Algeria's Mourad Mohamed Benosman and Syria's Yaman Abou Jieb overtook their fellow
innovators in a lively Stars of Science elimination episode on MBC4, securing their
tickets to the next stage of the pan-Arab "edutainment reality" TV program.  After a tough
critique from the expert jury, Jordan's Maymoona Ayesh and Lebanon's Adib Al Ghossein's
journeys on the program came to an end.



To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7665751-prototypes-algerian-syrian-innovators



On Stars of Science, Qatar Foundation's "edutainment reality" TV program, young
innovators compete against each other to turn their ideas into reality.



Twelve candidates aged 18 to 30 from across the Arab world travel to Doha, Qatar,
where they are mentored by world-class engineering and design specialists in the
laboratories of Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), a member of Qatar Foundation.
 There, the innovators take on challenges as they develop their ideas from a concept to a
potential product, highlighting the show's dedication to QF's vision of fostering a
culture of quality and excellence.  



In the engineering stage, candidates were tasked with creating a working prototype of
their ideas with the help of expert mentors.  Their prototypes, the result of countless
hours in the laboratory, can potentially have impact in many different fields.  



Maymoona's Date Pits Filter in Desalination, a water filter that uses pits of the
popular fruit to remove salt in order to make saltwater consumable, and Yaman's Solar
Washing Machine, which recycles water and runs on solar energy, are modern innovations
that address the need for water and energy conservation.



Adib's Ergonomic Activity Desk Lamp, which automatically adjusts lighting for many
tasks, can prevent mistakes caused by suboptimal conditions and boost productivity in the
workplace.  The ECG Wearable Stress Analyzer, pioneered by Mourad, is a novel device that
can measure heart rate and differentiate between physical and mental stress to improve
health diagnoses.



Standing between the four candidates and a coveted spot in the forthcoming design
stage were three expert judges, tasked with choosing two candidates to progress based on
prototype performance (50 percent), product outlook (30 percent), and the resourcefulness
and leadership exhibited by the candidate (20 percent).



Perennial jurors Professor Fouad Mrad, Executive Director of the United Nations ESCWA
regional technology center, and Mr. Yussif Abdulrahman Saleh, General Manager of Qatar
Shell Research and Technology Center, were joined in the engineering stage by Dr. Francois
Gilardoni, a prominent Swiss venture capitalist and scientist.  



Candidates took turns presenting their prototypes to the jury members, who drew upon
their expertise to critique and question the candidates.  



In his presentation, Yaman started off strong, pointing to test results that showed
his device used 15 percent the energy and 30 percent the water of normal washing machines.
 However, he overlooked some important details, such as a way to heat the water, and
struggled to articulate a clear vision of the future utility of his invention.



Maymoona, who overcame difficulties sourcing her date pits in the weeks leading up to
the elimination episode, also faced tough questioning of her test results from the jury.
Dr. Gilardoni who has extensive experience designing experiments, was especially critical
of her testing methods and prototype.



"Often, being challenged on an intellectual level triggers the spark that opens one's
mind to novel solutions," said Dr. Gilardoni.  "Stars of Science is valuable not only
because it encourages creativity and entrepreneurship, but also because it is a program
that demonstrates the importance of giving and taking constructive critique and exchanging
knowledge to achieve innovation."



Mourad did not waste any time impressing the jury, proudly wearing a working prototype
of his ECG Wearable Stress Analyzer Device during his presentation. The young Algerian
showed few signs of jitters as he deftly answered the panel's questions.  Adib, after
facing many setbacks while developing his prototype in the laboratory, was feisty as he
defended his invention against the jurors' critiques, pointing to its usefulness for a
range of activities.



After deliberation, the jury's results were announced to the candidates, who sat
nervously on the edge of their seats.  Host Khalid Al Jumaily revealed that Mourad and
Yaman would move on, placing first and second, respectively.  The Algerian and Syrian, who
like many candidates have developed close bonds of friendship, will progress to the design
stage of the competition.  Maymoona of Jordan and Adib of Lebanon will go home with their
prototypes, but will benefit from the experience they gained from their peers, mentors,
and jury members.



"At the moment my name was called, I felt a huge weight come off my shoulders.  I'm
ecstatic!  My next step is to turn my full attention to excelling in the design stage - if
I believe in my idea and I formulate a strategy to advance to the final, I am certain -
with Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate's, help - I will win," said Mourad after the
episode.



Next week, the last group of four Stars of Science innovators in the engineering phase
will defend their projects and brave possible elimination.  This primetime episode, the
season's seventh, will be shown on Friday, October 30th at 7PM KSA/ 4PM GMT on MBC4.
 After Episode Seven, the important design stage will commence, which will narrow the
field from six young innovators to four.  These four finalists earn a share of the
$600,000 prize, with the winner being determined in a special live final episode.



Please visit:



Website - http://www.starsofscience.com



Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/StarsofScienceTV



Twitter - https://twitter.com/starsofscience



Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/user/Starsofsciencetv



Instagram - https://instagram.com/starsofsciencetv



_________________



Stars of Science 



Stars of Science, an "edutainment reality" TV format initiated by Qatar Foundation, is
the region's leading innovation program.  Stars of Science fosters and advances the Arab
world's aspiring science and technology entrepreneurs. In this seventh season, 12
candidates are challenged to prove their resourcefulness during critical stages of the
innovation cycle while collaborating with industry leading mentors.  An expert panel of
jurors assesses and eliminates candidates and their innovative products in Engineering and
Design episodes until only four remain.  These four finalists vie for a share of a
$600,000 prize, determined by a jury deliberation and voting from the public.



Stars of Science airs from Friday, September 18th, to Friday, November 20th, 2015 on
MBC4. 



Qatar Foundation - Unlocking Human Potential 



Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development (QF) is a private,
non-profit organization that is supporting Qatar on its journey from a carbon economy to
knowledge economy by unlocking human potential, for the benefit of not only Qatar, but the
world.  Founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Emir,
QF is chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. 



QF's work encompasses education, research and community development.  World-class
universities are brought to Qatar to help create an education sector in which young people
can develop the attitudes and skills required for a knowledge economy. At the same time,
QF builds Qatar's innovation and technology capacity by developing and commercializing
solutions through key sciences.  The Foundation also works to foster a progressive society
while enhancing cultural life, protecting Qatar's heritage and addressing immediate social
needs in the community.



About MBC Group



MBC Group (Middle East Broadcasting Center) is the largest and leading private media
company in the Middle East & North Africa region. For the past 23 years, MBC Group was
able to enrich people's lives through information, interaction and entertainment. In 2002,
nearly a decade after the launch of MBC1 in London, back in 1991, and as the 1st private
free-to-air Arab satellite TV channel, MBC Group moved its headquarters to Dubai Media
City, United Arab Emirates, where it remains.



Today, MBC Group includes 20 TV channels: MBC1 (general family entertainment); MBC2
and MBC MAX (24-hour western movies); MBC3 (children's edutainment with a mix of both
local productions and western acquisitions); MBC4 (entertainment for young families with a
female-focus); MBC Action (an indigenous adrenaline-packed channel targeting young males
with local and homegrown productions); MBC Variety (Western films and general
entertainment with uninterrupted broadcasting); Al Arabiya News Channel (the 24-hour
Arabic language news channel); Al Hadath (an extension of Al Arabiya News Channel with a
specific focus on real events in the Arab world and beyond); Wanasah (24-hour Arabic music
channel); MBC DRAMA (24/7 Arabic drama); MBC MASR (general family entertainment geared
towards the Egyptian family); MBC MASR 2 (providing the Egyptian audience with superior
quality entertainment, in addition to live coverage of some of the Egyptian league's
football matches);  MBC + Drama (a joint paid-for channel between MBC and OSN); MBC
Bollywood (delivering the freshest in Bollywood content geared towards the region via an
Arabized interface); and most recently four sports channels, MBC PRO SPORTS (geared
towards the "Saudi Football Premier League" fans in the Kingdom); and MBC USA (the channel
is present on "Dish Network" in the US, and targets Arab audiences aboard; the channel is
dedicated to offer and broadcast a wide range of content from the prominent MBC channels
including movies, series and global formats).



In July 2011, seven channels within MBC Group began to broadcast in HD across the MENA
Region: MBC1 HD, MBC2 HD, MBC4 HD, MBC Action HD, MBC Drama HD, MBC Max HD and Al Arabiya
HD. In 2013, MBC3 HD joined the collection of HD channels followed by MBC Variety HD in
2014.



MBC Group also includes two FM radio stations: MBC FM (Gulf music) and Panorama FM
(contemporary Arabic hit music); as well as O3 Productions, a premium content drama
production company. Furthermore, MBC Group includes online platforms:
http://www.mbc.net, http://www.alarabiya.net, http://www.shahid.net (the first
free VOD and catch-up portal in the Arab world) and http://www.actionha.net, and
http://www.mbcprosports.net among others.



     (Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151023/279977 )








Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151023/279977




Video:




http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7665751-prototypes-algerian-syrian-innovators


Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151023/279977
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151023/279977
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Video:http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7665751-prototypes-algerian-syrian-innovators
Stars of Science

CONTACT: For further information, please contact: Taylor Bossung or Hanane Rougani, T +974-44364385


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