Celebrating Innovation: The Closing Ceremony of HBKU’s 2024 Summer Internship Program

Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI) recently held a vibrant closing ceremony for its 2024 Summer Internship Program. This event marked the culmination of an eight-week journey for 87 undergraduate participants who engaged in collaborative research projects aimed at addressing pressing national priorities. The ceremony not only celebrated the hard work and creativity of these students but also highlighted the importance of fostering talent in the fields of computing and technology in Qatar.

A Diverse Cohort of Innovators

The Summer Internship Program attracted students from a variety of prestigious institutions, both local and international. Participants hailed from HBKU, Qatar University (QU), the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST), Oryx Universal College (OUC), Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q), Texas A&M University at Qatar, Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q), Princeton University, and more. This diverse cohort brought together a wealth of perspectives and expertise, enriching the collaborative research environment.

Research Focus Areas

Throughout the program, students worked in teams to tackle 25 innovative projects that focused on key areas such as Arabic language technologies, social computing, data analytics, and cybersecurity. These fields are not only critical to the advancement of technology but also align with Qatar’s national priorities, making the research conducted during the internship highly relevant and impactful.

The Presentation of Projects

At the conclusion of the program, participants presented their research findings to a jury panel comprised of 15 experts from QCRI, QU, UDST, and NU-Q. The evaluation criteria included the quality of methodology, execution, creativity, real-world relevance, clarity of poster designs, and communication skills. This rigorous assessment ensured that only the most outstanding projects were recognized.

Award-Winning Projects

The competition was fierce, but several projects stood out for their innovation and applicability:

• First Place: Steve Shema Ndayam Baje from CMU-Q was awarded first place for his project titled “A Reinforcement Learning (RL) Model for AI-based Decision Support in Oral Cancer.” Under the guidance of Dr. Mohamed Elshirif, a Postdoctoral Researcher at QCRI, Baje’s project showcased the potential of AI in enhancing healthcare decision-making.

• Second Place: Two teams shared the second-place honors. Elaa Bouazza from SUP’COM presented “Met-P-SVGD: Scalable Variational Inference with Convergence Guarantees via Parametrized Stein Variational Gradient Descent with Metropolis Hastings.” Meanwhile, a collaborative effort from Mohamed Bayan Kmainasi (QU), Rakif Khan Pathan (UDST), Ali Shahroor (OUC), and Boushra Bendou (CMU-Q) explored “Native vs Non-Native Language Prompting: A Comparative Analysis.”

• Third Place: The third-place award went to a team comprising Malak Ibrahim (CMU-Q), Anas Madkoor (QU), Talha Javad (UDST), Myesha Hoque (QU), Fagr Amar Tahir (QU), Arwa Elaradi (QU), and Bryson Jandawa (Princeton University) for their project “Mapping the Evolution of Scientific Legacy.” This project highlighted the historical progression of scientific thought and its implications for future research.

Commitment to Talent Development

Dr. Eman Fituri, director of Educational Initiatives at QCRI, emphasized the institute’s commitment to nurturing young talent in computer science. She stated, “QCRI designs opportunities for Qatar’s promising young talents to engage with a diverse array of fields in the computer sciences and learn from our experienced researchers. The Summer Internship Programme demonstrates our commitment to providing a knowledge hub for Qatar to retain, attract, and develop top talent in computer science.” This sentiment underscores the importance of such programs in shaping the future of technology in Qatar and beyond.

Conclusion

The closing ceremony of HBKU’s 2024 Summer Internship Program was not just a celebration of achievements; it was a testament to the potential of young innovators in Qatar. By providing a platform for students to collaborate on meaningful research, QCRI is playing a pivotal role in the development of the next generation of leaders in technology. As these students embark on their future careers, the skills and experiences gained during this program will undoubtedly serve as a strong foundation for their contributions to the field.