Students working on a project.
Doha: The National Science Promotion Program-II cycle (NSPP-II) has announced the winning projects of the research grant. The NSPP was initially launched by the Qatar University Young Scientists Center (QU-YSC) in cooperation with the Office of the Vice-President for Research and Graduate Studies (VPRGS) in 2020.
The programme intends to provide an excellent opportunity to the youth of Qatar by involving them as researchers in grant projects and aiding them in investing their cognitive and creative skills in various research of national priority. These grants will permit secondary and university students to perform scientific research under the guidance of researchers and academicians from QU.
The six winning project proposals and awardees of the NSPP-II grant are: Identifying a novel treatment for sepsis-induced cardiac inflammation by Dr. Zaid Almaayah, College of Pharmacy; Effect of Prosopis juliflora leaf ethanolic extract against Penicillium infections in citrus fruits by Prof. Mohammed Abu-Dieyeh, College of Arts and Science; Design and Development of a Dynamic Vibration Absorber for an MDOF Building Prototype by Dr. Asan Gani Bin Abdul Muthalif, College of Engineering; Sustainable development of corrosion through integrated STEM modules by Dr. Noora Al Qahtani, Centre for Advanced Materials; Green Energy Generation from Polylactic Acid Fiber Nanocomposites by Dr. Deepalekshmi Ponnamma, College of Arts and Science; and Exploring the Role of Air Pollution on the Development of Atherosclerosis Disorder in Human Endothelial Cells by Prof. Hesham M. Korashy, College of Pharmacy.
Since the launch of the NSPP-II, there have been several proposals from various colleges and research centres at QU, ranging from materials science, medical, biomedical, pharmaceutical, science, engineering specializations, etc. All the received proposals were reviewed extensively based on set criteria.
The next stage will be allocating Qatari high school students for each research project. Admission of grades ten or eleven students nominated by the schools would be on a first-come, first-served basis. One undergraduate student from QU will also participate in each winning project based on the assessment of the participation letter submitted by the students.
Professor Noora Jabor Al Thani, Director of QU-YSC, said, “The NSP programme is an excellent platform for Qatari youth to experience a research environment and indulge in research of national and scientific significance.”
She added that the launch of this initiative is a result of the centre’s long-term efforts in formulating and executing various research programmes. This programme has the potential to refine the scientific capabilities of the young community, and it is expected to reinforce promising, innovative output with a prosperous future.
