Qatar Science Leadership Program continues to expand as a key resource for producing scientific talent that will support the country's national research agenda.
Doha, 11 May 2013: Qatar Science Leadership Program (QSLP), the nation's premier science and research management program announced today the marked increase in the quality of Qatari applicants this year. To date over 220 applications have been received, with over 70% of applications in the Research Scientist Track, which is tailored towards Qataris who want to pursue Masters or PhD degrees in areas that will develop Qatar's economic and scientific footprint.
This year, with the introduction of two new tracks, Research Undergraduate and Research Postdoctoral, the program has been successful in reaching out to more Qataris interested in pursuing a career in science. In addition, QSLP also offers a Research Management track for those interested in the research administration field.
"In order for Qatar to achieve its research goals, the country needs to train capable young Qataris who can lead this progress. The programme has proven to be an excellent capacity-building resource for this purpose. QSLP already has over 50 young Qataris who are being trained at prestigious universities and research centres, abroad as well as locally, to become future scientific leaders in Qatar. Each year, the programme gainsa stronger foothold amongst young Qataris who are keen to play an integral role in driving Qatar's national research agenda forward", said Dr Ayman Bassil, Head of Research Training at Qatar Foundation Research & Development Division.
QSLP is becoming increasingly popular among Qataris with excellent academic standing. It is structured in a manner that provides trainees with an expert training, mentoring and support system to help them confidently pursue a career in science at world-class institutions before returning to work at the many research centres in Qatar.
Kholoud Al Shafai, who trained under the program and is currently a Senior Research Associate at Qatar Cardiovascular Research Center, said that QSLP has been instrumental in helping students attain higher education in world-class institutes. "I joined QSLP because it offered great options for me to train as a researcher. It also gave me access to do my postgraduate studies at Imperial College of London, which has done a lot for my academic exposure and achievements. The flexibility of the program, which allows one to receive training in a specific area of interest either within the QSLP department or in other institutions within or outside of Qatar Foundation, is another tremendous advantage". Al Shafai holds an MSc in Human Molecular Genetics.
Another graduate, Nada Al Olaqi, who is currently a Senior Research Monitoring Specialist at Qatar Foundation Research & Development Division, commented that in addition to scientific researchers, Qatar needs experienced research management and administrative teams to carry out central research administrative functions, which include manpower and resource planning, reporting, proposal development, funding application, procurement, operational functions, and organising research events. "A well-trained research management team will help in monitoring the progress and measuring the impact of research in Qatar, which is vital to achieving our national research goals. QSLP enables this contribution. I enjoyed the flexibility to choose my own internships within the Research & Development Division and partner organisations or even outside Qatar. The training and exposure received gives us the management skills needed in the research field", said Al Olaqi, a research management graduate.
Introduced by Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development in 2008, QSLP has become one of Qatar's greatest resources for producing scientific talent that will support the country's national research agenda.
Dr Khaled Machaca, Associate Dean for Basic Science Research atWeill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, praised QSLP as a focussed program that provides qualified Qatari Nationals with additional training and education to equip them to become future leaders in various fields of science and technology. "The program has been exceptionally successful in identifying well-qualified candidates and matching them with opportunities that fit their career expectations and the needs of the country. WCMC-Q has had the privilege of training several QSLP candidates. We currently have four PhD candidates. Programs such as QSLP are essential to build the human capacity needed to move Qatar towards a knowledge-based economy in line with the vision of the leadership".
QSLP focuses on the country's core research areas of Health and Biomedicine, Energy and Environment, Computing and Information Technology, Behavioural and Social Sciences, and Humanities.
Applications for this cyclewill be accepted until May 15, 2013. To apply visit www.qslp.orgor call +974 4454 0541.
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About Qatar Science Leadership Program (QSLP)
Targeting talented young Qataris with the desire to excel, QSLP is a career development program that was established in 2008 jointly between Qatar Foundation's Research& Development Division and its partners. It is aimed at building the human capacity needed to make Qatar a leader in innovative research.From undergraduate to postdoctoral studies, QSLP offers the full spectrum of opportunities for nationals to build careers in a wide range of sciences pertinent to Qatar's national research agenda. It currently offers four programs for various levels of higher education; Research Undergraduate Track, Research Management Track, Research Scientist Track and Research Postdoctoral Track. In ensuring that Qataris get the best possible exposure and training, QSLP is held in collaboration with the most established Universities and Institutions around the world. To know more visit www.qslp.org
Tariq Abdulaziz Al-Sada
Head of Press Office
Qatar Foundation
Tel: +974 44540991
Email: talsada@qf.org.qa
Sadeq Alfardan
Grayling Doha
Tel: +974 44053201
Mob: +974 55117216
Email: sadeq.alfardan@grayling.com
© Press Release 2013
