Doha, Qatar: As part of its strategic plan, the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), in partnership with Qatar University, has launched a research competition for graduate and undergraduate students at colleges and research centres of Qatar University.
Director of Programmes and Education Department at the National Human Rights Committee Hamad Salem Al Hajri said: “The abuse and addiction to illicit drugs lead to widespread humanitarian crises. Most vulnerable people, especially the youth, bear the brunt of this crisis.” Al Hajri said, “The committee launched this competition on Wednesday, February 19, and the deadline is March 20, 2025, and the topic is ‘Effects of Drugs on Qatari Society’.” He said that the candidates are required to provide their full name, academic level and college in the nomination applications.
“The proposed research plan should be no more than 300 words, explaining the background of the research, its objectives, the proposed methodology, and the expected results. It is preferable for the proposal to be in Arabic,” said Al Hajri.
He pointed out that the number of researchers should not exceed 3 people, if the research is for a group of researchers.
“It is allowed to address the research topic from different social, health, economic, legal and other approaches related to the competition theme, provided that the proposed approach is linked to human rights, and the research plan must be relevant to Qatari society,” said Al Hajri.
Al Hajri said that the research should be within the maximum of 6,000 words for graduate students, and 3,000 words for undergraduate students.
He added, “It is preferable for the research to be in Arabic, and if the research is in English, a summary of it must be prepared in Arabic, within 150 words.”Regarding the assessment criteria relate to the research topic, Al Hajri said that the research should be clear and focused on the selected issue, and linked to Qatari society, taking into consideration the integration of human rights dimensions into the research issue. Regarding the competition prizes, Al Hajri said: “The winning research papers will be announced at the 4th National Forum of the National Human Rights Committee, which is organised annually by the National Human Rights Committee on one of the most important issues related to human rights at the national level.”
He noted that the Scientific Committee will select three winning research papers submitted by the candidates in the postgraduate students category, and the prizes will be as follows: First winner: QR10,000. Second winner: QR8,000. Third winner: QR6,000.
“The Scientific Committee will also pick up three winning research papers from the candidates in the undergraduate student category as follows: First winner: QR5,000. Second winner: QR4,000. Third winner: QR3,000,” said Al Hajri He said that the research proposal should be emailed following the specified conditions, along with the CV of the candidate or candidates, at [email protected].
