Choose This Year’s Top Arab Innovator In Stars of Science’s Live Finale on MBC4

Doha, November 18, 2015  
The seventh season of Stars of Science, Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development’s “edutainment reality” TV program on MBC4, will culminate in the selection of the Arab world’s best young innovator in the live finale this Friday, November 20, 2015 at 7PM KSA/ 4 PM GMT.

Combining tens of thousands of SMS and telephone votes from viewers across the region, and with a final vote from the Stars of Science jury, Friday’s finale will reveal the ranking of four finalists.  All week, viewers have been voting via the telephone for Algeria’s Mourad Mohamed Benosman on extension number one, Syria’s Yaman Abou Jieb on extension number two, Egypt’s Omar Hamid on extension number three, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Hassan Albalawi on extension number four.  Further details on the voting can be found on http://www.starsofscience.com/English/vote-now

Stars of Science, now in its seventh year, is a competition between innovators to develop their ideas into prototypes throughout the season, bringing to fruition QF’s vision of unlocking human potential and fostering a culture of quality and excellence.  Following the screening of applicants from countries throughout the Arab world, jurors selected 12 candidates between the ages of 18 and 30 to be mentored by world-class engineers and designers at the Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) in Doha, Qatar. Candidates focus on different aspects of the innovation process throughout engineering and design stages, with those who fall short being eliminated.  Participants compete on skills such as creativity, ability to work in teams and resilience in the face of the setbacks and challenges encountered during the competition.

Mourad Mohamed Benosman, from Algeria, who holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering, is a seasoned innovator who has been awarded a patent for his ‘ECG Wearable Stress Analyzer’.  The device, named Digiheart, is a heart monitor that enhances disease prevention by making a distinction between physical and mental stress.  Mourad’s love for innovation is only surpassed by his love for his family – he hopes to make them proud by bringing home a victory.

Syria’s Yaman Abou Jieb, who continues to inspire those around him with his creative ways of harnessing solar energy, argues that his ‘Solar Washing Machine’, dubbed Glean, will change the world for the better. Yaman hopes to leverage the power of the sun to expand access to washing machines to the people around the world and in his country which lacks regular access to electricity.  The words that guide him – “Don’t underestimate yourself; focus on the big picture” – have brought him tantalizingly close to a Stars of Science victory.

Egyptian Omar Hamid, a perfectionist with a tendency to take the unconventional route, has used his entrepreneurial skills for the social good. His ‘Prayer Chair’, named Sanda, fits perfectly with this mission.  Designed for those who have difficulties performing the physical movements of Islamic prayer, Sanda offers assistive sitting and standing in a compact design to decrease pressure on joints during the important ritual.  For Omar, a win would bring him closer to his goals of positively impacting the Muslim community.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Hassan Albalawi has remained true to his mantra throughout the season – “when I face a problem, I don’t sleep until I solve it.”  Hassan has worked relentlessly to perfect his ‘EEG Cap Analyzer’, named Wakecap, a device worn on the head that detects and warns of drowsiness. As a competitor, he has used the knowledge gained through his PhD studies in Electrical Engineering as well as everyday experiences as a source for inspiration.  Hassan is passionate and driven to prove that the Arab world can be a hub for innovation once more.

Viewers and jurors will come together to decide which of the four talented and inspiring finalists will take home the grand prize of $300,000 to turn his novel idea into a groundbreaking product.  The finalist who comes in second place will earn $150,000, while $100,000 is awarded for third place, and $50,000 is awarded to the fourth place finalist.

The night promises a number of additional surprises, including the announcement of three new grants from QSTP that will be offered to three candidates from the season, worth up to $100,000, as part of its Accelerator Program.

The exciting live finale of this season of Stars of Science, hosted by Khaled Al Jumaily, will air on MBC4 on Friday, November 20, 2015, at 7PM KSA/ 4PM GMT. Tune in, and help choose the next Arab innovator!

For further information, please contact:

Taylor Bossung or Hanane Rougani
T + 974 44364385

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