72 international students participate in third annual Engineering Summer School Program at Texas A&M at Qatar
Published Jun 17, 2024
Seventy-two students from various countries attended Texas A&M University at Qatar’s Engineering Summer School programs this year. These programs aim to provide an immersive educational experience and to challenge and inspire university students and recent graduates to pursue graduate studies and advanced degrees by interacting with highly motivated and academically oriented participants.
The 2024 Summer School program featured three tracks: Energy and sustainability, artificial intelligence and smart and sustainable manufacturing. The participants came from Pakistan, Lebanon, UAE, India, Sudan, Greece and Italy.
In the energy and sustainability program, 30 participants engaged in a comprehensive study of the energy economy, exploring topics such as natural gas processing, the application of AI tools in energy, energy security, water treatment, sustainable energy systems, and innovative approaches to plastics upcycling.
The energy and sustainability program also included the 3rd cohort of the annual U.S.-Pakistan Women’s Council Future of Women in Energy Scholars program. The program, which had 18 participants, was sponsored by the U.S.-Pakistan Women’s Council, a public-private partnership between the U.S. Department of State and Texas A&M University, that seeks to increase women’s economic participation in Pakistan by promoting women’s entrepreneurship, employment and access to career-enhancing educational opportunities. In addition, USAID, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, and the U.S. Embassy in Qatar provided significant support for the program.
The newly introduced smart and sustainable manufacturing program had 12 participants. It fostered a holistic understanding of the manufacturing world, smart technologies, and sustainable practices. Smart manufacturing leverages the potential of data, automation, and connectivity to optimize processes, enhance product quality, and reduce waste, whereas sustainability efforts focus on mitigating environmental impact, creating eco-friendly products, and improving energy efficiency. Through the integration of these concepts, the manufacturing track equipped students with the tools to drive innovation to meet the ever-growing demands of our modern societies while addressing the pressing challenges of climate change and resource scarcity.
In the artificial intelligence program, 30 students were introduced to machine learning, optimization techniques, elements from information theory, neural networks such as dense and convolutional networks, auto-encoders, and transformers. Hands-on experience was based on Google TensorFlow package. Panel discussions explored trending topics in AI, from ChatGPT and energy consumption of AI to the influence of AI on the future.
The academic experience was enriched by external lectures from world-renowned institutions and leading companies in Qatar. Beyond classroom learning, the summer school offered extensive practical experiences, including experiments in state-of-the-art laboratories, interactions with industry professionals, and tours of cutting-edge research facilities. Cultural activities and engagement with local communities further enhanced the participants' understanding and appreciation of diverse global perspectives.
Students said that this was a truly enriching learning experience. “
It was a very interesting experience. I am very interested in additive manufacturing, and the discussions on that topic helped me know more about the subject matter. We also loved the opportunity to use the machines and to see the practical applications of the theory we have learned,” said Mouza Alqaydi, a student from Khalifa University, UAE.
Hashem Khodar from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon participated in the AI track. He said, “Everything was so well planned and organized. And I am going back with lessons and memories for life. The professors were outstanding and helped us understand complex topics in a fun manner. It was also great to meet students from around the world pursuing different engineering interests.”
Hamna Anwaar and Syeda Ezza Haider were part of the women in energy program. Anwaar, a student at the National University of Science and Technology, said, “The diverse points of view and insights from our professors on mitigating climate change and addressing other issues in the energy economy was quite insightful. We also enjoyed our trips to the Qatar National Science and Technology Park and the Green Island.”
A student of Pak-Austria Fachhochschule: Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology, Haider added, “The academic learning has been quiote in-depth. And we are also delighted at the hospitality shown to us by Qatar and Texas A&M at Qatar. We visited cultural sights like the Museum of Islamic Arts, and enjoyed a desert trip. Overall, it has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Addressing the students at the closing ceremony, Dr. Ioannis Economou, Executive Associate Dean, said, "We hope you've enjoyed your time in Doha. Congratulations on completing the summer school program! The knowledge and experiences you've gained will undoubtedly enhance your future endeavors. Believe in yourself, stay focused, and take pride in your achievements."