DOHA: Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) yesterday launched its mobile application, making it one of the few research funding agencies globally to employ such a technology.
The user-friendly app operates on the latest iOS-enabled devices, and is available in Arabic and English to iPhone and iPad users free of charge.
“It is in QNRF’s DNA to promote an advancement of knowledge. Launching our own mobile application was the logical next step for us,” said Dr Abdul Sattar Al Taie, QNRF’s Executive Director, at an exclusive internal launch of the software.
“The mobile application is a step to further expand our communication channels with applicants and research offices. It also provides a convenience factor, as our database can now be accessed globally through a mobile device,” he added.
QNRF’s mobile application has a dedicated feature for applicants, awardees and peer reviewers, allowing individuals to log on to the organisation’s database and check the status of their research proposal or project. The app also enables QNRF to send users proactive, system-driven ‘push’ notifications on proposal or project updates and programme deadlines.
Haytham Ali QNRF’s Head of IT, provided a demonstration on the app’s uses and announced plans to expand its availability. “The application’s availability on Apple devices is only the first phase of our long term plan,” he said. “In phase two, we will be launching the application for Android and Windows 8 users.”
He also explained about the additional features of the interactive application, including a newsroom section, an events calendar, a multimedia gallery and selected publications from QNRF-funded projects. For applicants, a correspondence section will help facilitate research collaboration and contribution requests. Once awarded, researchers will be able to review their progress reports and correspondence from QNRF on technical aspects of the project. A ‘Research Outcome Centre’ will list all publications associated with each research project for ease of access.
The Peninsula
