Doha: Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development’s Research and Development (QF R&D) has announced the Annual Research Conference (ARC 2014) agenda to address youth development in the country to ensure the sustainability of future generations.
The conference on November 18-19 will be held under the patronage of H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of QF.
QF R&D has been active in promoting QF’s vision of cultivating life-long learning and interest in science and research, with the annual research conference being its flagship event.
The conference will bring together experts in Qatar and QF R&D and international experts to lead discussions to generate excitement for Qatar-based research and showcase young Qatari talent.
Dr Michael Reksulak (pictured), Director, Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, said: “ARC presents an opportunity to identify gaps in our understanding of how to move a society towards a knowledge-based economy.
“The tremendous progress Qatar has achieved in natural, applied, environmental and health sciences needs to be supported by the progress of social sciences and capacity development to achieve a sustainable society of the future.”
Hosted at QF member Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), the conference follows on the success of ARC’13, which was attended by over 2,000 delegates and where many of Qatar’s research grand challenges were unveiled. The forum offers an opportunity for experts to recognise local research excellence, and activate multidisciplinary knowledge sharing and collaboration to tackle national and international research challenges.
The principal presentation and Q&A session will be moderated by Dr John T Crist, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar, with presentations on ‘Youth aspiration and motivation in Qatar: Evidence from education surveys,’ by Dr Darwish Al Emadi from Social and Economic Research Institute, Qatar University.
Prof. Dr Verena Lepper from Egyptian Museum and Papyrus Collection, Germany and Arab-German Young Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Germany, will discuss ‘Challenges and Opportunities of Arab-German Scientific Cooperation among Young Scientists.
Dr Mohamed Mohieddin from Doha International Family Institute, will speak on ‘Caught between a Rock and a Hard Place: The Crisis of Arab Youth.’
The conference will offer panel discussions, technical presentations, and debates where experts will share experiences and innovative approaches ‘Towards World-Class Research and Innovation.’ Abstract submissions will be chosen based on merit and presented by scientists on how to help address, lead and guide the ‘Youth, Knowledge Society, and the Arab World’ research agenda.
Dr Reksulak said, “Our partnerships with academic institutions across Qatar, as well as international collaborations, are providing an excellent platform for the development of social science research. By offering insights into how to design an effective incentive structure, how to build state-of-the-art infrastructure and conditions to develop world-class education programmes, ARC’14 will help Qatar take significant steps towards achieving its National Vision 2030.”
The Peninsula
