The 2nd GPCA Innovation Competition will be launched as part of the 7th GPCA Research and Innovation Conference to promote innovation among university students in the Arabian Gulf Region. The competition is aimed at bridging the gap between industry and academia and stimulating applied research and innovation in the field of chemistry. Through the initiative, GPCA will further engage university students in chemical research and innovation and provide a valuable opportunity for university students from the region to gain exposure to the global chemical industry.

GPCA Innovation Competition Categories
The 2nd GPCA Innovation Competition has been expanded to include two categories under chemical engineering, chemistry, and other related STEM fields in the GCC. The first category represents undergraduate students who are currently in their final year of studies or have graduated no earlier than 31 May 2021. The second category is for the postgraduate students who are currently completing their M.Sc. or PhD degree or have recently graduated no earlier than 31 May 2021.


Students from all universities, vocational and research institutes in the Arabian Gulf offering the above degrees are eligible to participate in this competition. In order to participate in the competition, entries must meet the following criteria:

- Originality, novelty, uniqueness and complexity of the idea/project: approach or techniques used
- Relevance to the regional chemical and petrochemical industry
- Compelling case for the prospect of future research (for undergraduate), commercialization (for postgraduate)
- Awards or competitions won within the academic institute or externally (for undergraduate)
- Sponsorships granted or publications whether posters, conference or journal papers (for postgraduate)

- Clarity, consistency, logical flow and summary
- Comprehensive, covers all aspect of the idea/project
- Informative and uses appropriate data to defend the case
- Ability to address all questions
- Adherence to the presentation time limit

- Methodology followed (desk research, field visits and interviews)
- Planning, organization and delivery of the project

- Clarity, attractiveness and presentation
- Poster size conform to the competition specifications, poster text, figures & tables are clear and readable from a reasonable distance
- Organization of content on the poster covering key aspects of the project
Award Committee

Dr. Farhan Al-Shahrani
Head of Strategic Innovation Partnership
KAUST, Chairman

Dr. Moayyed Al-Qurtas
Advisor
GPCA

Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun
General Secretary
GPCA

Adnan Al-Mahmoud
IT & Knowledge Manager
GPIC

Dr. Mabrouk Ouderni
Product Development & Innovation Manager
QAPCO

Dr. Ammar Al-Ojaili
Team Lead
OQ

Dr. Mohamed Abouleish
Professor of Environmental Science
American University of Sharjah

Noora Mukhtar
Research Specialist
GPCA (Coordinator, Non-voting member)
Why participate?
- Showcase your idea or project in front of leading industry leaders
- Promote your university as a leading chemical research institute within the GCC
- Opportunity to secure a one to two-months internship at leading chemical and petrochemical companies within the region
- Cash prizes of AED 15,000 for first place, AED 10,000 for second place and AED 7,000 for third place under the postgraduate category
- Cash prizes of AED 10,000 for first place, AED 7,000 for second place and AED 5,000 for third place under the undergraduates category
- The winners will be promoted across all GPCA’s platforms