Representing the best of Qatari schools system, seven high-school students from across the country started their journey to unravel the mysteries of science in the first batch of Bright Minds, the latest community engagement programme of Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD).

Over the next one year, the pioneer batch of the young students will be immersed in a range of real-life scientific training with an aim to equip them with the tools of creative and critical expressions that form the bedrock of scientific innovation.

“Gulf Organisation for Research and Development is committed to realise the Qatar National Vision of empowering a new generation of future leaders. With the start of the first class of Bright Minds, our latest community-centric initiative becomes an immediate gateway to new realms of scientific research and expression," said Dr Yousef Mohamed Al-Horr, founding chairman, GORD.

The students – all boys and pre-screened from the best performing schools of Qatar – will work their way up to Bright Minds certification after processing from carefully crafted courses that present to them insights into electrical and electronic principles, digital and analogue devices and circuits, mechanical systems, physical and engineering principles, and basics of renewable and non-renewable energy.

The students will be awarded a level 1 innovation certificate upon completion of 90% of training hours, out of a total of 150 scheduled hours on Saturdays, as well as a Community Service certificate based on attendance records.

“Bright Minds aspires to harness the potential of the students' inquisitiveness and lace them with the principles of systematic thinking and problem solving using scientific approaches. These students will go on to create new waves of scientific solutions that will positively enrich the society," added Dr Al-Horr.

Once the programme starts to mature, GORD further plans to follow-up on Bright Minds graduates and lead them to the path of entrepreneurship.

Bright Minds is joint-effort of GORD and QAPCO, where the former played a central role in conceptualising and supervising the programme, while the later will sponsor & provide technical input to the program, as well as invites the candidates to visit QAPCO facilities.