Tuesday, 16 October, 2012

UOWD’s Associate Professor Dr. Mohamed K. Watfa was selected among the final 10 contestants, in last Thursday’s crucial round of Stars of Science (‘Noojoom el Aoloom’ in Arabic), the Arab world’s acclaimed reality TV show on original inventions, on MBC4. The top 10 have now entered the Engineering Round. In last Thursday’s episode, top 16 inventors were invited to enter a specially-designed workshop as part of the ‘Proof of Concept’ phase in Qatar Science and Technology Park, in Doha, where they had access to an array of state-of-the art resources as well as the support of top professionals. After weeks of working on their innovative ideas, the time came for the candidates to prove their concept to a four-member jury comprised of the two permanent jurors, and the two guest judges, Dr. Eyad Masaad and Dr. Farouk El Baz, known for his work at NASA in planning the scientific exploration of the moon. It was a spirited round, as each candidate demonstrated novel techniques to showcase their designs and prove their innovations. Six participants were eliminated at the end of the episode, which saw Dr. Mohamed Watfa earn the highest score of 90 points after impressing the jury with his invention. Dr Watfa’s innovation, the Projected Virtual Computer, enables numerous students to run different computer applications on the projected image on their tabletop using the same computer. The Stars of Science show began with an international recruitment campaign with more than 7000 applicants, and a dynamic three-step selection process that included a Pan Arab casting tour in 8 countries (Egypt, KSA, Jordan, Lebanon, UAE, Qatar, Tunisia and Kuwait). Dr Mohamed K. Watfa is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) and has always been passionate about developing innovative, life changing ideas, including his most recent contribution to wireless charging of electric and hybrid cars and his fashionable invention the 'IPURSE', which attracted media attention across the country. Dr Watfa’s invention in Stars of Science is revolutionary and if successful, will probably change the way students learn in classrooms all over the world. Using only one computer and a projector, it can change all computer desks in a classroom into interactive computer systems. Mohamed's invention is patent pending and is the first of its kind in the world. Stars of Science’s original format was initiated by the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) in 2009, with the aim of discovering and nurturing innovation in science and technology amongst Arab youth. A grand jury present on stage and TV viewers, through SMS and telephone, will decide on the final ranking and the awarding of prizes totaling $600,000 (1 lead winner and 3 runners-up). The audience SMS voting for the top 4 finalists will take place from November 1 to 8 to vote for the best invention. For the latest info and support, please join the Facebook group: www.facebook.com/SupportMwatfa. Watch Dr. Watfa in action in an excerpt of the show ‘Stars of Science’