Fatima Muhammad

Saudi Gazette

 

FIVE female university students were among the 11 who won Thursday the Golden Feather Prize that was presented by the Ministry of Education for distinguished innovations and researches presented by students from bachelor to doctoral degrees.



Over 700 students participated in the sixth Students’ Conference and 176 were nominated. Only 11 students were awarded the golden feather and prizes worth SR2 million.



Dr. Azzam Al Dakhil emphasized the importance of innovation and the important role of the country to support entrepreneurs.



While speaking to students, the minister admitted shortages in education and said, “We are not doing enough for you, therefore; we will reduce the duration of education and increase learning time.”



He furthered said, “Although, Saudi Arabia is considered among the top countries in investments but it is not ranked on the top of entrepreneurship.”



He said, “Entrepreneurs create jobs,” while highlighting the entrepreneurs’ projects and noted that it is capable of creating job opportunities for many.



The minister told students and the audience that he felt at home (with the students) and would address them like family, adding that he was proud of the achievements of Saudis who have proven to be “soldiers in war and soldiers in academia!”



More than 750 students from 42 Saudi universities and colleges took part in the conference, said Ayman Al-Harbi, supervisor of the conference.



Al-Harbi said that the conference supported the government’s efforts to transform the Kingdom into a knowledge economy. “This conference was held as part of the ministry’s support for students’ scientific innovations and research works,” he said.



Two winners of the golden feather from the female section came from Prince Noura University. Amal Al-Malki presented a research in which she addressed Daesh (so-called IS), its beliefs and routes, as well as their influence in the Kingdom and ways to combat their influence particularly on youth.



The second project from the same university presented by Abir Al-Bougami, who had won last year’s golden feather, was a machine that could be used by butchers to protect their hands from injuries and ensure that the meat is not affected by blood.



Her last year’s project was a portable prayer chair, which can be bent to help people unable to do their prayers properly, and at the same time keeping the lines of worshipers organized.



Her prayer chair has been patented recently. She said she hopes to find someone to sponsor her projects so that she can see them in the market and see people benefiting from them.



Arwa Al-Jifri from King Abdul Aziz University won for her project: Cholestrol chip, in which she aimed along with four colleagues, to regulate medication to cholesterol patients.



This innovation will see the body benefit from all the medication rather than a portion of it being assimilated by the body with the remaining going as waste.



The golden feather for public speaking went to Ashjan Al-Ahmadi from Taiba University. The student spoke on a random topic “security.”



She noted that it was her luck that this topic came at this pressing time, which gave her confidence to stress on the importance of “unity to protect the Kingdom which has given its people a lot.”



Nawal Falata, an Um Al-Qura doctoral student, won for her project ,which it reached a conclusion that “equality between men and women in international conferences does not abide by Shariah teachings.”



Huda Al-Amil the President of Noura University, said they want students to stop believing that distinction is achieved only through examinations and marks, rather it is achieved through innovations researches and enhancing skills.



“My feeling is just like that of all attending this gigantic event. We are astonished and proud of these creative and optimistic innovations, creations, researchers and projects. These students deserve all our support.”



— Input from Saleh Fareed