Georgetown University: School of Foreign Service in Qatar

Three students from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar were awarded research grants in the latest round of funding from the Undergraduate Research Experience Program (UREP). This program, funded by the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), is a collaborative effort between students and faculty to give hands on experience in empirical research.

The grants cover a variety of topics developed by the students and faculty that include media branding, social studies and the role of political actors. The driving force behind the initiative is for students to gain research experience while building Qatar’s reputation as a knowledge-based economy.

Junior student Tarah Makarem is working with economics professor Alexis Antoniades to work on a local project entitled "Media Branding and Viewer Perceptions in Qatar." Their research will explore the connections between the varying backgrounds of television viewers, their perceptions of news, and the prejudices they develop in favor of or against global media brands. Additionally, Professor Richard Roth from Northwestern University will assist in the project.

Another project tackles the issue of varying Lebanese perspectives on the role of Hezbollah. Sophomore student Karim Badra and Professor Mark Farha will work to assess the consequences of the 2006 Lebanon War and the 2008 Doha Accords, while analyzing Hezbollah’s position within the Lebanese balance of powers. It will also evaluate Qatar’s role in defusing conflict and explore possible constructive measures to avert a future descent into violence in Lebanon.

“In most institutions of higher learning, I noticed that scholarship generally begins at the graduate level. UREP is a unique opportunity because through the financial grant, and the support of the facilities provided at Qatar Foundation, it helps undergraduates expand their academic abilities and find their academic niche,” said Badra, in explaining the benefits students receive from the grant.

Finally, sophomore student Ahmed Warfa will work with Assistant Professor of Economics Ganesh Seshan to perform social research that explores the impact of migration among workers from Kenya to Qatar. The project seeks to study immigration trends, as well as highlight the important role of Qatar in supporting economic development in Africa by hosting contract workers from the region.

“Ahmed is going to benefit from being engaged in all aspects of the research, from creating a questionnaire, to administering the survey using face to face interview techniques and analyzing the results,” Seshan said in describing the important role students take in such research.

The Undergraduate Research Experiences Program (UREP) is a QNRF funded initiative that seeks to promote “Learning by Doing” and “Hands-On” mentorship activities as effective methods to support undergraduate education. The program will support students engaged in team-based or site-based projects under the auspices of faculty members or professional researchers.