Qatar University’s (QU) Young Scientists center in cooperation with the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science has organized the Third Youth Research Forum 2021 entitled "Identity and Cultural Tourism: Towards a Culture and a Sustainable Legacy" in line with the strategic plans set by Qatar University to develop youth capabilities in scientific research in postgraduate studies.
The two day forum kicked off on 24 March via a virtual ceremony on the WebEx platform, with the honor of the President of Qatar University, Dr. Hassan Al-Derham, and HE Saleh bin Ghanem, Minister of Culture and Sports of the State of Qatar, and a large number of attendees and researchers.
The Third Research Forum was included in the activities of Doha Capital of Culture in the Islamic World 2021, which was launched in March 2021 under the patronage of HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar. The forum is an important platform for presenting scientific research and projects that focus on the role of youth in spreading and preserving Qatari culture and the sustainability of the Qatari heritage and youth efforts. A group of researchers, undergraduate and postgraduate students from the State of Qatar and from many Islamic countries such as the Kingdom of Morocco, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Algeria and the State of Libya participated in the forum, where they presented the results of their distinguished research that enriches the youth experience.
The forum aims to achieve several goals, such as to provide a platform for effective communication between youth, researchers and community institutions, and to consolidate youth awareness of their prominent role in the development and advancement of society through scientific research.
In addition to exploring the research capabilities of young people with regard to consolidating concepts of culture and identity, and promoting the culture of scientific research and linking it to historical events. This forum also represents an opportunity to create a database of distinguished youth in the fields of research and with high capabilities in specialized and inter-disciplinary studies.
In collaboration with the Qatari National Committee for Education, Culture And Science, Qatar University Young Scientists Center has launched a research competition to share studies and research on identity issues and to encourage scientific research. Universities, institutes and researchers inside and outside Qatar were invited to participate. The researches submitted are within the areas of the World Cup facilities and the sustainability of the Qatari heritage, the role of museums in promoting cultural identity, the economy and cultural tourism, the challenges of identity and globalization, medicine, pharmacy and community health. The research posters were evaluated based on several criteria, such as the quality of the research, methodology, use of field research techniques, discussion of results and proper documentation of references. The first three winners of the Best Research competition were honored, and prizes and certificates of appreciation were presented to them.
Prof. Mariam Al Maadeed, VP for Research and Graduate studies at QU, said that today's forum, with its rich sports, heritage, economic and social topics, and its ambitious national and humanitarian goals is in line with Qatar University's plans to embrace young talents, and enable them to conduct genuine research that enhances youth loyalty to the homeland and society and illuminate their professional and personal future.
This forum is a platform for the youth creativity that will continue long after the event. Its research outputs will help both public and private entities concerned in preserving the Qatari cultural and traditions, by which we build bridges of communication with various cultures and nations, support Qatar’s vision and its cultural and tourism strength, and provide the requirements of a modern life.
Dr. Hamda Al-Sulaiti, the Secretary General of the Qatari National Committee for Education, Culture And Science, said that the third edition of the Youth Research Forum, which has become a common ground, through which youth energies were able to meet, so that this forum became a starting point for unique and new research ideas and projects that blended the creative vision with modern technology,
Thanks to our sons and daughters who participate in their research in this important youth forum from the Sultanate of Oman, the Algerian Republic, the Kingdom of Morocco, the Libyan Republic and from the State of Qatar, wishing them success and repayment. I emphasize that the basic role that young people are required to play, which is to contribute to promoting tourism and culture in Qatar, through their contributions to the competent authorities in the country to highlight the archaeological and heritage sites for tourists and visitors, and work to diversify the tourism product to attract new segments of visitors and tourists to the State of Qatar, where cultural tourism is considered In our time, one of the most popular types of tourism in the world.
She concluded with a message to all those responsible for preparing and rehabilitating young people, by saying: Listen to the youth and share their ideas, research, innovations and dreams, give them the opportunity to express themselves and their views, make them races without dependents, fill their hearts with hope, freedom and unlimited support, open the doors of trust and give them the keys to leadership, so they are not Present without them, and no future without them.
On this occasion, Dr. Noora Al-Thani, Director of the Qatar University Young Scientists Center, said in a speech, "We are pleased to be partners in establishing the activities Doha Capital of Culture in the Islamic World 2021, and to link Researchers from the State of Qatar and the Islamic world. She added, "We Qatar University Young Scientists Center, seek to contribute significantly to strengthening the Qatari identity among our young students, and to invest efforts and resources to prepare competent Qatari researchers who are able to serve their country and excel in various fields of industry, energy, health, environment, history and culture."
Winners were as follows:
In the research competition; the 1st winner is Hadeel Al Attar, 2nd is Nour Hisham, and the 3rd is Cheikh Modo Badr. As for the poster competition; the 1st is Hagae Menaisy, the 2nd is Raesa Al Dosary, the 3rd is Kholeh Mortazawi.