The College of Science and Engineering (CSE), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University, recently announced its most successful cycle of the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) Graduate Student Research Award (GSRA) program yet, with 17 students receiving a scholarship.

The program, now in its seventh cycle, was launched to promote the most deserving students QNRF believe will go on to promote a world-class research culture in Qatar, and who will contribute to the nation’s research and development mission.

We spoke to some of the award recipients about what the scholarship means to them, their experience of studying at HBKU and their aspirations to be part of Qatar’s R&D mission.

What does this recognition mean to you?

It means a lot to me as it drives me to work even harder and to be diligent and dedicated. This recognition encourages me to complete my academic studies so I can grow in my professional career, and will support me during that journey.

Can you tell us about your research projects that led to you receiving the scholarship?

I am very interested in the urban computing field with a specific direction, which is using  AI and data-driven techniques to solve urban challenges related to traffic congestion, spatial-temporal data, and mobility, especially given how Qatar has developed in the area of urban infrastructure in recent years and is seeking to better its planning.

Can you tell us about your background and why research is important to you?

As a Senior Software Engineer in the Social Computing Group at Qatar Computing Research Institute, pursuing a PhD in Computer Science and Engineering from HBKU would help me further explore and contribute to understanding various urban informatics research in road network inference from GPS traces. This path would lead to more accurate assessments and increased precision in the methods used, and support innovation aligned with national priorities.

What are your long-term aspirations in terms of contributing to Qatar's R&D mission?

My aspirations are to contribute to Qatar’s vision in developing people and an economy based on knowledge and science. And to see my country Qatar as a pioneer in all fields, especially in research and development.

Can you tell us about your experience of studying at HBKU?

I received my master’s degree in Data Science and Engineering from HBKU in June 2020 and it was a fantastic two-year journey that opened up a new horizon in my career and my life. I had the honor to work closely with well-known and qualified academics and passionate colleagues during those two years and that experience made me decide to pursue a PhD at HBKU.