Doha, June 08 (QNA) - Qatar National Library (QNL) has announced the opening of applications for the third cohort of its Research Fellowship Program, following the success of the previous two editions and the academic interest the program has attracted since its launch.

The program offers researchers and academics the opportunity to explore the Library's specialized and rare collections and contribute to enriching distinguished studies and research on Qatar and the region.

On this occasion, the Library organized an event during which Dr. Mustafa Aqeel, Professor of Modern and Contemporary History, former Head of the Department of History, and Director of the Center for Documentation and Humanities Studies at Qatar University (QU), delivered a presentation entitled "Historical Writing: A Critical Perspective".

Director of National Collections and Special Initiatives at QNL, Abeer Al Kuwari, said that the program's vision continues to grow, making it a prominent destination for academic research in the region.

She noted that the previous two cohorts reinforced the Library's commitment to providing researchers with the support and comprehensive access to knowledge they need to explore Qatar's rich history and examine it from a sound scholarly perspective.

For her part, Manager of National Collections at QNL, Dr. Eiman Saleh Al Shamari, said that the research projects completed by the first and second cohorts examine dimensions of Qatari aviation diplomacy and the impact of monetary transitions, enabling researchers to benefit from direct and guided access to the Library's specialized collections. She added that the third edition of the program will open the door to new and rich research avenues in Qatar's social and economic heritage.

The Library invited researchers to submit project proposals for the third fellowship term, which will run from Oct.1 to March 30. Project proposals must not exceed 2,000 words and should align with one of three themes: social history, economic history, or natural resources management. Selected fellows will receive a dedicated research space and access to the Library's special collections.

Applicants must be Qatari citizens or residents of Qatar throughout the duration of the program and commit to in-person attendance at the Library for no fewer than 20 hours per week. Participants are also required to deliver a public presentation and submit a research paper of no fewer than 6,000 words within one month of the program's conclusion.

As such, QNL has set July 30 as the deadline for applications to the third edition of the Research Fellowship Program.

The Library stated that the second cohort added three new areas to the range of disciplines covered by the fellowship, reflecting the program's growing impact. Director of Legal Affairs at Qatar Tourism and holder of a PhD in Gulf Studies from QU, Hessa Al Mohannadi, is researching the impact of Qtel in Qatar during the 1980s.

Meanwhile, Jarmila Kodric, a Conservator at Qatar Museums and a PhD researcher in Archival Studies, is conducting a heritage-based study examining the transition from the manuscript era to printed publications in Qatar.

Media researcher Kaoutar Chatioui is exploring the impact of monetary transitions on commerce and daily life in Qatar between 1959 and 1973. (QNA)