More than 200 high school students participate in WCM-Q research competition

This year’s edition of the Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) High School Research Competition (HSRC) saw 214 students from 31 high schools in Qatar, Kuwait, Indonesia and the UAE present their research projects to a panel of judges.

Organized by the Office of Student Outreach and Educational Development at WCM-Q, the competition aims to inspire high school students to explore medicine, employ scientific research methods, and develop their presentation skills. With a focus on the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and their application in Qatar, project themes included health and wellbeing, water and sanitation, sustainable cities and communities, and responsible consumption and production.

With a total of 51 teams participating, each school was represented by a maximum of four teams, with up to five students from grades 10 to 12. Led by a science or math teacher, the teams presented their research projects on the WCM-Q campus.

The competition is part of WCM-Q’s Doctors of the Future Conference, a gathering of educational leaders and future medical professionals that is scheduled to take place on April 11-12, 2025. The top teams will have the opportunity to present their projects during the conference, and one of the top three finalist teams will be granted the prestigious Doctors of the Future Conference award.

Dr. Rachid Bendriss, associate dean for foundation, student outreach and educational development programs, said: “By offering high school students the opportunity to carry out scientific research, we are effectively helping them sharpen their critical thinking and problem-solving skills while exploring their interest in pursuing a science-based education. We look forward to continuing to welcome young participants from Qatar and the region to the program. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the valuable contributions of our faculty, staff, researchers, teaching specialists, and medical students who took the time to be on the judging panel.”
Noha Saleh, director of pre-medical administration, student outreach and educational development, added: “This year’s student participants showed a clear passion for science, which they translated into excellent research projects that they should all be very proud of. We are positive that many of these students will be interested in translating that passion into a career in science, and we will be here to support them.”

Participating schools included Al Arqam Academy for Girls, American School of Doha, Aspire Academy, Birla Public School, Compass International School, Doha College, DPS Monarch International School, Edison International Academy, GEMS Wellington School – Qatar, Hassan Bin Thabit Secondary School for Boys, International School for Medical Science and Engineering, Mesaieed International School, Newton British Academy, Newton International Academy, Noble International School, Pakistan International School Qatar, Pearling Season International School of Doha, Qatar Academy for Science and Technology, Qatar International School, Qatar Science and Technology Secondary School for Boys, Rabaa Aladawiya Secondary School for Girls, Rajagiri Public School, SEK International School Qatar, Sherborne Qatar School for Girls, Swiss International School in Qatar, The English Modern School, The Gulf English School, Zubaida Secondary School for Girls, the American International School of Kuwait, Al Salam Community School from the United Arab Emirates, and Thursina IIBS from Indonesia.