Emirati student from Sharjah ranked third in the world in chemistry competition

Mohammed Ibrahim, Staff Reporter

Emirati student Saif Hassan Ibrahim Karam, who is studying in the eleventh grade at the Model Secondary School in the Emirate of Sharjah, achieved third place globally in the chemistry competition, in which 2,000 male and female students from 70 countries competed, and which forms an integral part of the activities of the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), in Los Angeles.

A global achievement: Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, congratulated the student Saif on his victory. She said on the X platform: “I congratulate the student Saif Hassan Karam, from the Model Secondary School in Sharjah, for winning third place in chemistry in the world at the International Science and Engineering Fair ISEF. Saif is a public school student who won third place out of 2,000 participating students from 70 countries. We are proud of our son Saif, and of the global achievement he has achieved, which we are proud of, and we look forward to his return to the beloved land of the Emirates.”

Emirates Schools Establishmen wrote on X, “We congratulate the student Saif Hassan Ibrahim Karam from the Model Secondary School in Sharjah for winning third place in the field of chemistry at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).

"This is out of 2,000 male and female students from 70 countries around the world. We are all proud of Saif and wish him more success and excellence.”

Talent discovery: At a time when the Emirates Foundation for School Education focuses on adopting student talents in various fields, and works according to systematic plans to discover these talents early, and provides them with all means of success and distinction to transform their innovations from just an idea into projects that touch reality.

Directions and routes: The Foundation has recently developed new trends and paths that focus their content on scientific subjects and teaching methods, according to developed educational strategies, especially since they include all specializations, and have become a basic requirement for university studies and future jobs in the labor market.

Student record: In a reading of the Emirati student Saif’s record of innovations, it was revealed that he won the title of “Young Emirati Scientist” for the seventh session of the National Science, Technology and Innovation Festival organized by the Ministry of Education, coinciding with the month of innovation last February 2024, for the project “Developing a chemical compound that absorbs carbon dioxide.” Carbon from the atmosphere and turns it into clean fuel.

Emissions and pollution: Project focused on the problem of emissions and air pollution and how to find innovative solutions and treatments to combat carbon dioxide. He focused on conducting various experiments in the laboratories of the University of Sharjah and the American University of Sharjah, to arrive at a new compound that absorbs carbon dioxide under any conditions, and under any temperature and strong pressure without the need for laboratories or complex tools.

New compound: The new compound is known as “carbon oxide, a source of clean energy,” which is hydrogen, which is the fuel of the future. Thanks to this discovery, the student can contribute to reducing carbon emissions and providing a clean and sustainable energy source. He is currently focusing on developing a drone that runs on clean fuel, to reduce carbon emissions.

Pride for Arabs: The student’s innovation, the Saif, is an achievement that reflects the UAE’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in the face of global environmental challenges, and at the same time constitutes a major scientific achievement and distinguished academic excellence, to the student’s credit. This achievement is also a source of pride for the Emirates and all Arabs.