The QSLP workshop participants.
A week after launching its seventh cycle, Qatar Science Leadership Programme (QSLP) concluded its first workshop for participants studying outside of Qatar. Thirty QSLP students enrolled in American institutions studying various research disciplines participated in the event, organised by QSLP in San Francisco.
The workshop, the first of its kind, aimed to support QSLP students in their research pursuits by providing them with effective communication skills, crucial in developing their professional relationships with colleagues and research supervisors.
Established by Qatar Foundation’s Research and Development in 2008, QSLP is a career development programme that has been designed for undergraduate and postdoctoral candidates who are keen to build a fulfilling career in a wide range of science-related fields and to contribute to Qatar’s national research agenda.
Dr Ayman Bassil, head of research training and development at Qatar Foundation’s Research, said the workshop was held abroad as most of the QSLP students are pursuing their studies in the US and the UK.
QSLP recently announced the launch of its seventh cycle and expects to receive applications from students wishing to enlist on one of the programme’s four tracks. The new cycle will include a number of diverse events and training workshops aimed at nurturing students and honing their abilities.
QSLP, which aims to support and encourage scientific research, is a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development. It includes a number of research programmes in health, biomedicine, energy, environment, computer science, information technology, behavioural science and humanities.
So far15 students have graduated from the programme while a further 100 participants continue to pursue studies in various fields. More than 83% of the programme’s participants are Qatari.
QSLP provides participants with the freedom to choose one of the four scientific tracks available, based on their qualifications and interests.
The first track, the Research Undergraduate Track, caters to undergraduates who are keen to pursue higher education in scientific research fields and enables them to seamlessly join the Research Scientist Track, followed by the Research Postdoctoral Track.
In the second track, the Research Management Track allows trainees to gain hands-on experience in critical areas related to different aspects of research management and teaches them how to manage complex scientific projects.
The third track, the Research Scientist Track, is designed for Qataris who want to pursue a Master’s or PhD degree and helps them champion specific areas of scientific investigation that are of strategic importance to the economic growth of Qatar. The programme focuses on the country’s core research interests and supports nationals by developing their skills and offering them the opportunity to take part in conferences and training sessions in Qatar and further afield.
The Research Postdoctoral Track is a highly technical path where participants are trained to champion an area of scientific investigation which is of strategic importance to the needs of Qatar and the wider Mena region. This track focuses on the fields of technology, biomedicine, energy, environment, information technology, behavioural sciences and social sciences.
In addition to summer training classes held at Qatar Foundation’s research institutes, QSLP allows students to familiarise themselves with their future working environment, enhance skills and prepare for higher studies.