Tribune News Network
Doha
Qatar University (QU) and the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) have signed an agreement to enhance cooperation in the field of scientific research.
The agreement was signed by Prof Mariam Al Maadeed, QU’s vice-president for Research and Graduate Studies; and Dr Mohammed bin Saif Al Kuwari, NHRC deputy chairman.
The signing ceremony was attended by several vice-presidents of the university, members of the NHRC, researchers and interested individuals from various fields and specialties.
This agreement reflects belief in the vital and effective role of both parties in enhancing and protecting human rights and public freedoms in Qatar. It is expected that this agreement will contribute to strengthening communication, knowledge exchange, practical experience and intellectual expertise between the university and the committee, thereby enhancing scientific research and development in the field of human rights.
As part of the agreement in the field of scientific research, both parties will collaborate in research including coordinating and cooperating in organising conferences, seminars, workshops, lectures and training courses, as well as conducting joint discussion sessions on relevant topics. Additionally, they have agreed to implement joint programmes in the fields of scientific research and postgraduate studies.
In a statement, Prof Maadeed said, “This agreement represents an important step towards building a civil society characterised by justice, equality and the protection of human rights for all individuals. It reflects the commitment of the university and the committee to promoting a culture of human rights and its application in all aspects of life in Qatar.
“We, at Qatar University and the National Human Rights Committee, look forward to joint work and fruitful cooperation to achieve the goals of this agreement and enhance human rights and public freedoms in Qatar.”
Dr Mohammed bin Saif Al Kuwari praised the signing of this agreement, emphasising its importance in establishing scientific and research cooperation between QU and the NHRC.
This cooperation pertains to civil, political, economic, social and environmental rights as stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the two international covenants on human rights. It involves mutual collaboration in exchanging information and expertise to enhance scientific and research cooperation related to human rights, such as women’s rights, children’s rights, the rights of the elderly, the rights of persons with disabilities, and the right to a healthy environment in Qatar, among others.
This includes conducting extensive scientific research to define human rights in Islam as elucidated by Islamic law before modern laws and treaties, such as equality, non-discrimination, social justice and fairness.
The two parties also agreed to develop a programme for scientific and research grants, announce and provide financial and administrative support for winning grants, and enhance human rights activities by launching competitions and awards for researchers in the human rights field to encourage youth and others to write and author in various human rights areas for awareness at national, regional and international forums.
He also indicated that celebrations will be organised to announce the winners and awards for peer-reviewed research and studies on occasions of public human rights significance, such as celebrations for Arab or international human rights. It is expected that scientific research papers will be issued as results of joint research and studies, and thus the NHRC will publish them on its website or through visual or print media channels for use by national, regional and international institutions to raise awareness about human rights through theoretical and applied scientific studies and research.
