The Department of Chemistry and Earth Sciences at Qatar University’s (QU) College of Arts and Science organized two capstone project presentation events for female and male students, as well as a ceremony to award students who participated in community services and social activities. The students showcased their projects in front of project supervisors, members of the evaluation committees and department head Dr. Khalid Al-Saad.
The 20 students conducted projects on a diverse range of topics such as synthesis and characterization of potential platinum complexes bearing pyridine and hydrazine units. Another student group worked on synthesized metal oxides for catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide and developed potential cathode materials for lithium ion batteries, which was also presented previously in the 257th American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting in Florida, USA.
Dr. Khalid Al-Saad Al-Kuwari commented on the event saying: "The Department of Chemistry and Earth Sciences is keen to provide an integrated and high-quality project. Through these projects, the skills of self-achievement, literature survey, practical experience, critical thinking, analysis of results, thesis writing, presentation skills and delivering of the research project to the public are developed.” Dr. Khalid Al-Saad added that the department had succeeded in maintaining the quality of these projects to meet internationally competitive standards and to participate in international conferences. For example, nine students participated in the American Society of Chemistry (ACS) annual conference this year and three of the papers by QU were selected as part of the best researches.
He said, “These research works are the outcome of years of efforts, perseverance and hard work, during which the students acquired scientific and practical skills that resulted in the outcome of concepts and is reflected in the results of these outstanding works. The supervisors are keen to select applied researches that are relevant to the society including economics, health and national security. These applied researches include the development of chemical analysis tools, forensic evidence, study of compounds involved in medical drugs, advanced analytical methods for the estimation of these drugs, especially those that may be misused, such as doping.
Also, these researches include the study of catalysts that contribute to the speed of chemical reactions, which in turn contribute to the increase of industrial products and energy saving during manufacturing. In addition, there are researches related to the development of power generators, solar cells, food security, as well as toxicity and crime, and environmental treatment such as elimination of contaminants in water and air. Therefore, these researches contribute to the economy, national security and human development, one of the cornerstones of the Qatar National Vision 2030.”
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