INNOVATOR WALID ALBANNA TRIUMPHS IN MILESTONE SEASON 10 OF QATAR FOUNDATION’S STARS OF SCIENCE

Stars of Science has announced Walid Albanna as the Arab world’s top innovator during the show’s Season 10 Grand Finale. A firm favorite amongst jurors, innovators, and the public, the 35 year-old Palestinian neurosurgeon successfully outshone the competition in the last heated episode of the latest season of Qatar Foundation’s (QF) edutainment reality TV show at Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) in Doha, Qatar. “Each year, Stars of Science showcases the very best of Arab talent to the region and the world, and each year we are overwhelmed by the sheer quality of the competition and the innovative ideas that emerge from this unique show,” said Khalifa Al Kubaisi, Media Relations Manager at QF. “Its milestone Season 10 has lived up to, and even surpassed, all expectations and demonstrated how, across the Arab world, aspiring innovators are determined to realize their ideas and their goals, creating genuine and positive impact for society in the process. Qatar Foundation congratulates Walid Albanna for becoming the latest winner of Stars of Science, and all the other contestants for their contributions to an unforgettable season. We wish all of them every success for the future as Stars of Science alumni, and look forward to seeing their pioneering inventions come to fruition.” Ahead of Saturday’s Grand Finale, avid fans of the show and devotees of science and technology took to the internet to cast their votes for one of the four finalists. The online public vote, combined with the expert jury vote, earned Walid a score of 32.5 percent for his "Neurovascular Retina Analyzer". The smart wearable retina camera increases the quality of aftercare for patients who have suffered a stroke, and successfully secured Waleed first place and $300,000 in investment. “No words can describe how I feel in this moment, as a Stars of Science winner,” said Walid. “I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Qatar Foundation, Stars of Science, my family and friends, and everyone who has supported me throughout this journey of a lifetime; and to all the kids out there with heads full of dazzling ideas for how to improve lives across the world, please remember that your ideas matter and are definitely worth exploring! I hope I can act as the beacon to guide them on your journey through science and innovation. If I can do it, they certainly can!” Nour Majbour, the creator of the “Parkinson’s Early Detection Kit,” aims to change the face of treatment for the crippling disease. Through the ground-breaking technology she has developed, Nour secured a well-deserved second place with a combined score of 31.3 percent, earning herself $150,000. Innovator Sylia Khecheni came third with a score of 30.1 percent. Her “Home Privacy Drone Blocker,” designed to ensure people’s privacy is kept intact saw her receive $100,000 worth of prize money. Salim Al Kaabi came in fourth place, leading to him being awarded $50,000, with a score of 6.1 percent with the “Safe Frankincense Varnish for Artists,” an invention that creates a safer environment for creative souls by protecting painters and paintings alike. Arab youth across the world who are interested in science, innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship are encouraged to apply in order to be considered for entering the next season of Stars of Science. Online applications will close on December 15. Screening and auditioning are part of the selection process, and applications should be submitted through the official Stars of Science website at www.starsofscience.com. Don’t miss this life-changing opportunity!