Doha: Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), a centre of Qatar Foundation Research and Development, has awarded $1,629,600 grants to four female PhD candidates in the country as part of the first cycle of Graduate Student Research Awards programme.
It is QNRF’s latest programme to further develop graduate studies by supporting outstanding Qatari and international students interested in pursuing doctoral degrees in universities in Qatar.
The candidates from Qatar University received the grants for extensive research in urban planning, electrical engineering and computer science.
Impressed by their qualifications, experience and proposals, QNRF’s Executive Director, Dr Abdul Sattar Al Taie, said, “The calibre of the candidates and the proposals highlight the growing research capacity and culture in Qatar. We are committed to promoting candidates with the highest potential to drive research excellence across all levels and disciplines.
“The candidates for the first cycle of the programme demonstrate that we are on the right track for building elite human capital in research needed to transform Qatar’s economy into a knowledge-based economy.
“We believe that the programme is a vital addition to QNRF’s funding scope and, after seeing the potential of these candidates and their plans, we are confident that it will continue to encourage research creativity and productivity for future high potential graduate students, ultimately benefiting Qatar.”
Emam Sabor and Simona Azzali from the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning will focus on incorporating environmentally-friendly practices into urban development projects in Qatar.
Sabor’s research aims to develop a framework to evaluate urban sustainability to enhance the quality of life and physical conditions of neighbourhoods.
Azzali seeks to identify how huge sporting events can act as innovative catalysts and boost sustainable urban regeneration and growth.
Regina Padmanabhan, the electrical engineering candidate will focus on improving overall patient well-being by developing technologies that optimise multiple drug interaction.
Amal Al Mouhamed, the candidate in the Computer Science Programme, will process Arabic digital audio-visual data to facilitate its access and retrieval, and the production of new multimedia resources.
Dr Wyatt R Hume, Executive Director of Education, Training and Development, QF Research and Development, said “I predict that many distinguished researchers, who will contribute to advances in knowledge in Qatar and elsewhere, will take great pride in having been supported by the programme early in their careers.
“I am confident that the four candidates will make significant contributions to economic diversification, improved health, environmental sustainability and improved safety and security of Qatar and its region.”
For details on Graduate Student Research Awards and other funding programmes, visit: www.qnrf.org
The Peninsula
