By nature, humans seek everything new in all fields, especially in the scientific field. Research exists to discover facts, provide practical solutions to problems, innovate, and acquire knowledge. Refining young people's research capabilities is how to achieve scientific outcomes that ensure a prosperous future and economy. In this regard, the Qatar University Young Scientists Center (QUYSC), in collaboration with the Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies (VPRGS), announces the launch of the second cycle of the National Science Promotion Program (NSPP) 2022 in November 2021. This program aims to build and consolidate the researcher's identity in the youth category in Qatari society by providing research grants that invest the minds and creative energies of young people in various fields of research, which serves to achieve the national research vision by 2030.
The NSPP is launched to hone the research skills of high school students and inform them of the importance and steps of scientific research and enhance their research abilities and give them advanced skills in analysis and problem-solving. Furthermore, student participation in the program creates a unique opportunity to work with university students from different scientific disciplines and expand their cooperation and partnership in scientific research. Students are also preparing to move to the university by closing the skills and abilities gap between school and university. In addition, they are encouraged to become promising future researchers and influential leaders in the country in their scientific fields.
Applications for research participation of the NSPP second cycle will begin next month in December 2021. The program supports scientific research from various scientific colleges, such as the college of science, engineering, and health sciences, and research centers at QU. Each research team must consist of one research professor from QU, a research assistant from QUYSC, an undergraduate student from scientific colleges, and high school students.
The launch of the second cycle of NSPP follows the remarkable success of the first cycle held this academic year, which included six scientific research projects from scientific colleges and research centers at QU, with faculty members, researchers, university students, and high school students. The six groups will compete to win first place, and the results will be announced in February 2022.
Prof. Noora Jabor Al-Thani, Director of the QUYSC, expressed her happiness at the launch of the second session of the program, saying, “The National Program for the Promotion of Scientific Research was established to provide unique opportunities for Qatari youth to engage in an authentic research experience, gaining them many research skills and abilities. It also prepares them to become influential personalities in society who contribute to inventions and innovations that contribute to the nation's transcendence and progress, in order to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030.” Prof. Noora added, “The launch of the second session of the program is a sign of the great success achieved by the first session, and we are following in the right footsteps in creating educational opportunities and overcoming obstacles to the scientific empowerment of young people, and that the expected scientific outputs are promising and promise a prosperous scientific future.”
Source: QATAR UNIVERSITY