Winners Revealed at 3ʳᵈ Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association Innovation Competition

Press release

Published September 16th, 2024 - 05:48 GMT

The competition took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia under the theme “Race towards Agri-Sustainability”

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 12 September 2024 – The winners at the 3rd Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) Innovation Competition were revealed on the sidelines of the 14th GPCA Agri-Nutrients Conference, which took place at the JW Marriott Hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 10-12 September 2024. Held under the theme “Race towards Agri-Sustainability”, the competition distinguished two undergraduate and two postgraduate students from the GCC for their outstanding research and innovative ideas in advancing agri-sustainability.

Rahma Hasan from the University of Bahrain was awarded in first place in the Undergraduate student category for her research in ‘Optimal Production of Bacterial Cellulases and Their Application on Agro-industrial Waste Biodegradation’. In second place, Manar Al Attar from the International Maritime College Oman (IMCO) impressed the jury for her research in ‘Enhancing Agricultural Sustainability via Activated Carbon Production from Spent Coffee Waste for Enhanced Sustainable Resource Management’. First place in the Postgraduate student category was claimed by Ikhlas Ghiat from Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) in Qatar for ‘CO2 enrichment driven model predictive control: A novel approach for precision agriculture in greenhouses located in hyper-arid regions’. Baqer Aljaman from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia won in second place for ‘Upcycling food waste with Black Solder Fly Larvae’.

Now in its 3rd edition, the GPCA Innovation Competition recognized outstanding projects and ideas in agri-nutrients research for a food-secure and climate-resilient planet. Students from across the GCC entered the competition to advance Circular Economy in Agriculture; Soil Health; Sustainable Resource Management; and Innovation and Emission Reduction in Agri-Nutrients Production. A panel of esteemed industry experts presided over the selection process of the four winners, who presented their winning entries during the 14th GPCA Agri-Nutrients Conference.

Background Information

University of Bahrain

As the national university of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the university has a mandate to lead the nation in terms of human capital development, leading innovation, contributing to economic development and leading society.

Technology and the rapidly changing external environment, which is transforming teaching and research, are challenging the traditional view of the university. Students and wider society require year round access to high quality courses and flexible modes of delivery. The economic context of the GCC and challenges that we currently face of growing the private sector are also challenges that the University of Bahrain must respond to through focusing on producing a high quality and skilled workforce and the next generation of leaders.