Qatar University (QU) Center for Young Scientists (QUYSC), in collaboration with the office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies (VPRGS), has announced the launch of the third cycle of the National Science-Research Promotion Program (NSPP). Building upon the successes of previous cycles, the program reaffirms its strong commitment to providing valuable opportunities for national high school students to explore scientific research, focusing on empowering youths in STEM fields: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The third cycle of the program was launched on November 29, 2023, during a special opening ceremony held at QU, marking the inspiring scientific journey’s beginning for the participating students. The program's mission is to provide students with invaluable hands-on experience under the guidance and supervision of experienced researchers, research assistants, and undergraduate students from QU. The program is set to conclude with a final event showcasing research results, highlighting their scientific contributions to Qatar and the global scientific community.
Twenty-four students from both government and private schools in Qatar have been selected to participate in this edition of the program. Participating schools include Jassim Bin Hamad Secondary School for Boys, Al-Arqam Academy for Girls, Zubeida Secondary School for Girls, Qatar School for Banking and Business Administration for Boys, Al Jazeera Academy, and Omar Bin Al-Khattab Secondary School for Boys. Through their participation in this program, participating students are expected to familiarize themselves with the scientific research environment within well-equipped labs featuring state-of-the-art devices and equipment at QU, enabling them to gain direct practical experience in the field of scientific research.
A specialized committee of researchers meticulously selected the winning projects for this cycle of the NSPP grant after conducting a thorough review process. The funded projects included:
1. “The Role of Nampt Activator and NAD (H) in Sepsis-induced Cardiac Inflammation" by Dr. Zaid Hussein Hasan Almaayah, College of Pharmacy.
2. Development of Two Functional Foods for Children with Diabetes: “Low-Glycemic Index Biscuits Coated with Chocolate” to Treat Anemia and Vitamin D Deficiency by Prof. Reema Tayyem, Department of Human Nutrition.
3. Zebrafish as an Animal Model for Testing Industrial Water by Dr. Maha AlAsmakh, College of Health Sciences.
4. Evaluation of rhizobacteria isolated from the Limonium axillare rhizosphere to enhance the growth of Arugula by Prof. Mohammed Abu-Dieyeh, College of Arts and Sciences.
5. “Blue energy generation using water salinity gradient in a seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination plant” by Dong Suk Han, Center for Advanced Materials
6. “Designing Spherical Solar PV to Trap More Energy” by Dr. Amith Khandakar, College of Engineering.
These projects embody the students' steadfast commitment to scientific research, presenting some of the most promising and innovative ideas in the field.
Prof. Noora Jabor Al-Thani, Director of the QUYSC, expressed her utmost delight at the commencement of this edition of the NSPP, pointing to its unique standing as a highly carefully designed platform for high school students in Qatar. She emphasized its crucial role in developing a skilled workforce in STEM and driving the growth of Qatar's knowledge-based economy. Prof. Noora also expressed her deep appreciation for the unwavering support from the program's esteemed partners in the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, who have been instrumental in ensuring the remarkable success of this initiative.