Prof. Kaltham Al-Ghanim, Director of the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute at Qatar University (QU), said that the institute has succeeded in building national research capabilities in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Qatar National Research Strategy Institute.
The institute strives to improve the quality level of the institute and qualify the institute to be a reference academically and a consultant.
Discussing about what’s new at the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute, Dr. Kaltham said, “The Institute has conducted research projects that are considered the first of their kind in the State of Qatar since its establishment. Similarly, there are many research cooperation with academic and non-academic centers for new and unique studies in the State of Qatar that are under implementation, such as:
- Quality of life and mental health of women with breast cancer in Qatar: The project is a telephone survey with 1,000 patients receiving cancer treatment from Hamad Medical Corporation.
- Qataris perceptions of university degree project in cooperation with WASEDA University: An increasing number of Qataris are seeking a university degree in recent years. The questionnaire seeks to study the perceptions and attitudes of Qatari men and women aged 18 years or over towards university degrees.
- A questionnaire about the impact and evaluation of camps during the camping season on the environment from a social and environmental point of view in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change: The study deals with the negative effects on the environment resulting from the camping season, with an evaluation of the impact on meadows, plants, wild animals, coasts and beaches. As well as the impact of camp waste and sewage on the environment during the camping season, the migration of birds, the impact of winter camping on the movement and reproduction of living creatures, especially the non-compliance with environmental requirements in this regard.
Telling about the Institute’s recent studies and the titles of the most prominent ones she said, “A number of important studies have been conducted recently, such as - survey of perceptions and attitudes towards the Supreme Committee and the 2022 FIFA World Cup: The aim of this survey is to find out more about the perceptions and attitudes of Qatari citizens, residents and workers towards the FIFA World Cup 2022.
- A survey of changes in the labor law in the State of Qatar and the welfare of workers - attitudes and perceptions of a sustainable future: The eleventh wave of the National Priorities Program for Scientific Research defines a comprehensive survey project to assess change and continuity in perceptions and attitudes about the labor system among the general population residing in Qatar: Qatari citizens and workers with High income and low income people. The study targeted important issue areas such as general concepts of worker welfare, necessary worker skills and progress in building a sustainable knowledge-based economy in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, impact on the business climate and entrepreneurship, as well as issues specific to the implementation of the FIFA World Cup.
- Supreme Committee Labor Welfare Survey: This study aimed to obtain direct information from SC workers about their living and working conditions in Qatar, to guide future planning.
Highlighting the surveys carried out for (Covid-19) pandemic, she said “The Institute carried out various studies related to the (Covid-19) epidemic: A quick survey of people's opinions on (Covid-19): In March 2020, the Institute conducted a survey of 2,131 people including Qatari citizens, white collars and workers. The survey included a survey of people's opinions about the outbreak of the (Covid-19) pandemic.
COVID-19 Project in Qatar (Public risk trends and perceptions, behavioral responses, and determinants of compliance with preventive measures). Part of the Qatar Education study 2021 addressed the topic of distance learning or blended learning due to the (Covid-19) pandemic.
The Qatar Semi-Annual Survey dedicated to the impact of the coronavirus on various aspects of life in Qatar: The overall objective of this survey is to provide unbiased opinion polls on issues of national interest to Qatar. The survey provides valuable information to decision-makers, politicians, scholars and students about the perceptions and attitudes of the three main groups of Qatar's population (Qataris, residents, workers) on a number of issues relevant to Qatari society.
Follow-up study of mental health during the pandemic - Qatar Q-LAMP in cooperation with Hamad Medical Corporation.
Talking about the studies conducted related to FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022 she said that The Institute carried out various studies related to the World Cup in Qatar: a survey of the opinions of Qataris and expatriates on hosting the FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022 in cooperation with the University of Florida in 2015.
- FIFA Pre-World Cup 2022 Survey (ongoing): Qatar University’s higher administration requested SESRI to conduct a telephone survey about the perceptions and attitudes of Qatari citizens, residents and workers towards the FIFA World Cup 2022.
-Survey of Perceptions and Attitudes towards the Supreme Committee and the FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022 (four waves, wave four is ongoing): The aim of this survey is to learn more about the perceptions and attitudes of Qatari citizens, residents and workers towards the FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022.
Shedding light on studies and opinion polls conducted during the current year, she said that The Institute has conducted nearly 130 projects since its establishment and the institute is working on about 22 studies and opinion polls this year in various research fields.
While talking about the researchers at the institute she said, “We have about 20 senior researchers and research assistants doing research in different fields, some of them are related to technology, such as the survey of emerging media and the survey of open data in the State of Qatar Including social, such as the family cohesion project in Qatar, and others related to tourism, such as the National Survey of Domestic Tourism in Qatar, and health-related research, such as the unusual mental and cognitive experiences project that students may encounter at the university, and research related to education, such as Qatar Education Study, in addition to other numerous other fields.”