Doha, November 10 (QNA) - The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) and the Ministry of Sports and Youth (MSY) have announced the winners of the second edition of the Outstanding Peer-Reviewed Young Researcher Award, which focused on the theme "Youth and Social Responsibility: Duties and Challenges - The Qatari Society as a Model."

The two ministries also unveiled the details and research themes of the award’s fourth edition, which will focus on "Digital Addiction Among Youth: Causes, Effects and Paths to Recovery - The Qatari Society as a Model."

The initiative forms part of the strategic partnership between the two ministries, aimed at directing young people's research capabilities towards addressing societal issues and investing in their intellectual potential, in line with the human development and community-building objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030.

According to the judging committees, three researchers secured the top positions in the second edition. Abdullah Mohammed Al Haddad, from Qatar, won first place and a cash prize of QAR 100,000. Major Khalid Najea Al Hababi, also from Qatar, came second, receiving QAR 75,000, while Ahmed Metwally Abdelhai, from Egypt, secured third place and a prize of QAR 50,000.

Director of the Department of Islamic Research and Studies at Awqaf, Sheikh Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Ghanem Al-Thani said the award serves as an intellectual and research platform for examining contemporary phenomena through rigorous scientific approaches.

He noted that selecting digital addiction among young people as the theme for the fourth edition reflects the importance of keeping pace with rapid technological developments and their influence on lifestyles and social interactions.

Meanwhile, Director of the Planning, Quality and Innovation Department at the Ministry of Sports and Youth, Jawaher Abdulrahman Al Sulaiti said the award translates cooperation between the two ministries into a research initiative that harnesses young people's intellectual capabilities and directs them towards producing knowledge and practical solutions, strengthening their skills and expanding their contribution to national development.

The fourth edition will examine digital addiction through five interconnected research areas, including establishing scientific concepts and distinguishing between moderate and excessive digital use; examining psychological, family-related and technological factors and motivations; assessing digital usage patterns in Qatari society; analysing the effects and consequences on individuals and society; and developing future solutions, including practical models for prevention, recovery and restoring digital balance.

Meanwhile, applications remain open for the third edition of the award, which focuses on "The Impact of Role Models on Shaping the Behaviour of Qatari Youth: A Qualitative Analysis of Influencing Environments and Intervention Mechanisms."

The third edition aims to explore how role models, across social, religious, intellectual and media-related dimensions, influence young people's behaviour. It will also examine the surrounding environments that shape their attitudes within Qatari society and propose scientific and practical approaches to addressing behavioural challenges and strengthening positive values.

The deadline for submitting research papers for the third edition is July 5, 2027, while submissions for the fourth edition will remain open until July 5, 2028.

The organising committee stated that the third and fourth editions are open to Qatari citizens and residents of both genders aged between 20 and 39.

Participation requirements include submitting original and innovative research that has not previously been published or submitted for another award or academic qualification. Research must be written in formal Arabic, follow recognised scientific methodologies and accurate referencing standards, and disclose the extent to which artificial intelligence tools have been used. Research papers must range between 100 and 200 pages. (QNA)