Six Innovators Reach Stars of Science Semi-Finals

Qatar Foundation’s Stars of Science to put top six through their paces in customer validation round


DOHA, Qatar, Nov. 08, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A highly-charged episode of Stars of Science saw one more hopeful innovator exit the competition this week. Audiences witnessed pharmacy student Hassina Bacha, who vowed to help improve the lives of children through her ‘Automated Eye Testing Spectacles’, bow out. Hassina’s exit makes way for Meshal Alshahrani and Wassim El Hariri, who both passed the test with flying colors.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

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In the coming two episodes, the remaining six innovators will enter a crucial phase of the Qatar Foundation initiative, when their prototypes are tested and judged by a group of potential customers.

Meshal breezed through the jury’s questions about his ‘Hajj Navigation Bracelet’. His innovation uses Bluetooth and GPS technology to ensure pilgrims can find their way around Mecca. “The Hajj is not only the fifth pillar of Islam, it also brings pilgrims from all over the world together,” he said. “The different languages, ethnicities, and cultures truly reflect the universal nature of the religion. My device aims to accommodate this unique spiritual experience in the most sacred city in Islam.”

Persuasive, patient, and keen to succeed, Wassim ticked all the boxes and more, explaining his ‘Hospital Patient Food Delivery Robot’ to the jury. The practical droid automatically delivers meals to patients in hospital beds using advanced robotics technology. “My innovation will save hospital staff tremendous energy and time. They can dedicate this precious time to improving the health and well-being of patients, giving the best treatments and service possible,” he said.

From an initial nine young Arab innovators determined to win this season’s Stars of Science at the start of the prototyping rounds, only six remain.

Airing this weekend, six of the Arab world’s finest innovators will allow their inventions to be tested by potential users during the first of two customer validation rounds. Jurors will evaluate them in part based on the assessment of the customers. After this nerve-wracking and exciting stage, four will make it to the final and have a shot at winning a share of USD $600,000 in seed funding for their idea.

Tune in for the first customer validation round on November 10 and 11 to find out if your favorite innovator makes it to the final on this season’s Stars of Science.

For a full broadcast guide or to catch up on episodes please visit www.starsofscience.com

Please visit:

Website - www.starsofscience.com

Facebook - www.facebook.com/StarsofScienceTV

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For further information, please contact:

Hanane Rougani

T + 974 40 42 1700

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Stars of Science

Stars of Science, the flagship “edutainment reality” TV format initiated by Qatar Foundation, is the Arab world’s leading innovation show that enables the region’s aspiring science and technology entrepreneurs.

Throughout the season nine candidates are challenged to develop creative solutions to regional problems within the fields of information technology, energy, environment, and health. An expert panel of jurors assesses and eliminates candidates and their innovative products in Prototyping and Customer Validation episodes until only four remain. These four finalists vie for a share of $600,000 in seed funding, determined by a jury deliberation and online voting from the public.

Stars of Science airs every Saturday from September 23rd 2017 until November 25th 2017. Please go to www.starsofscience.com for a full list of broadcasters or to catch up on episodes.

Regional broadcasting details are as follows:

Qatar, Al Rayyan TV: Fridays: 18:00 GMT
Lebanon, LBC & LDC: Saturdays 15:00 GMT
Oman, Oman TV Culture Channel: Saturdays 15:30 GMT
Algeria, Echorouk TV: Saturdays 19:00 GMT
Iraq, Al Sumaria: Saturdays 18:30 GMT
Jordan, Al Roya: Saturdays 18:30 GMT
Kuwait, Al Rai TV: Saturdays 20:30 GMT
Episode will be uploaded on the SOS website at 21:30 GMT

Additional Screenings

Al Rayyan TV: Saturdays 17:00 QAT
Algeria, Echorouk TV: Saturdays 23:00 ALG, 24:00 ALG
Iraq, Al Sumaria: Saturday night 03:00 AST, Sunday morning 13:45 AST, Thursday night 22:45 AST

Qatar Foundation – Unlocking Human Potential

Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) is a non-profit organization that supports Qatar on its journey to becoming a diversified and sustainable economy. QF strives to serve the people of Qatar and beyond by providing specialized programs across its innovation-focused ecosystem of education, science and research, and community development.

QF was founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Emir, and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, who shared the vision to provide Qatar with quality education. Today, QF’s world-class education system offers lifelong learning opportunities to community members as young as six months through to doctoral level, enabling graduates to thrive in a global environment and contribute to the nation’s development.

QF is also creating a multidisciplinary innovation hub in Qatar, where homegrown researchers are working to address local and global challenges. By promoting a culture of lifelong learning and fostering social engagement through programs that embody Qatari culture, QF is committed to empowering the local community and contributing to a better world for all.

For a complete list of QF’s initiatives and projects, visit http://www.qf.org.qa

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