The 9th annual Alice Programming Competition, organized by the Hamad Bin Jassim Center for Computer Science Education in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, attracted over 100 student teams from 50 schools across Qatar. The competition focused on challenging students to design and implement games and animations on various topics such as cyber security, sustainability, crisis management, health and wellness, and entrepreneurship. Through the “Alice Middle East” curriculum, students were able to showcase their skills in computing and programming by creating innovative projects.
The Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Qatar has recognized the importance of incorporating computing skills into the curriculum, leading to the inclusion of the “Alice Middle East” program in all government schools. This initiative has also been adopted by many private schools, highlighting the growing importance of learning computing basics for students. Khaled Haras, the Senior Associate Dean at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, emphasized the need for students to be equipped with these skills in order to adapt to the rapidly evolving technological landscape.
The partnership between the Jassim and Hamad Bin Jassim Charitable Foundation and Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar has played a crucial role in promoting computing education for students in Qatar. Through programs like “Alice in the Middle East” and “Mindcraft,” students are given the opportunity to explore and innovate in the field of computer science. Saeed Mudhkar Al Hajri, Managing Director of the Foundation, highlighted the importance of empowering students with the necessary tools to thrive in a knowledge-based economy, praising the students’ enthusiasm and dedication to learning computing skills.
During the competition, student teams presented their projects to a panel of judges who evaluated them based on creativity and complexity. The winning schools, including Khalid Bin Ahmed Preparatory School for boys and Awfaz Global School, showcased their talent and expertise in programming, earning top honors in the advanced and beginners’ categories. Other schools such as Birla Public School and Mesaieed International School also achieved recognition for their outstanding projects, demonstrating the impact of the competition in fostering student innovation and excellence in computing.
As computing continues to play a crucial role in various industries, it is essential for students to develop a strong foundation in this field, regardless of their future career paths. Khaled Haras reiterated the importance of integrating computing education into the curriculum, emphasizing that computing skills are fundamental in today’s digital age. The success of the Alice Programming Competition reflects the growing interest and enthusiasm among students in Qatar towards learning and excelling in the field of computer science, setting a strong foundation for their future endeavors in the technology-driven world.
