QU gets largest number of grants for research

Qatar University (QU) was awarded the largest number of grants in the 10th cycle of National Priorities Research Programme (NPRP), a flagship programme of Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF).
As many as 29 proposals out of a total of 85 submissions have achieved awards, translating to 34% of the total awarded proposals – the highest among awarded institutes in Qatar.
The proposals cover the areas of translational research, experimental development, and applied research.
These include 19 proposals by the College of Engineering, four by the College of Arts and Sciences, three by the Centre for Advanced Materials, two by the College of Business and Economics, and one by the Biomedical Research Centre.
Additionally, QU was awarded $513,195 for 25 proposals in the 21st cycle of QNRF’s  Undergraduate Research Experience Programme.
The awarded proposals cover various areas such as natural sciences, engineering and technology, medical and health sciences, and social sciences and humanities.
A total of 54 researchers and staff and 111 students across QU colleges and centres are engaged in these proposals.
Over the last five years, QU’s research programme has witnessed a tremendous growth with the faculty output being doubled between 2013-2017.
QU vice president for research and graduate studies Prof Mariam al-Maadeed noted that the institution is very active in addressing the research areas of the Qatar National Research Strategy.
“This proves that the university is moving in the right direction through its research by tackling topics of national priorities. This is also a step towards the realisation of the vision of His Highness the Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, who, in his latest address to the nation, expressed the need to develop academic institutes and to focus on research and innovation.”
Director of research support at Qatar University, Dr Aiman Erbad said: “QU has nine colleges and five main research centres that tackle issues of national priority and train the new generation of researchers to help Qatar fulfil the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. QNRF has been supportive of QU throughout the development of its research infrastructure and the achievement of cutting-edge research.”
“QU has managed to build a large research network with collaborators from different parts of the world. The NPRP’s 10th cycle has more focused research priorities and encourages the co-funding of industrial partners to help increase the research impact. Critical areas such as cyber security, diabetes, oil and gas, and entrepreneurship are part of the new research priorities,” he added.