Qatar University Sheds Light on Qatari Female Scientists, Researchers' Roles in Facing COVID-19

Doha, February 15 (QNA) - Qatar University (QU) dedicated its annual celebration of International Day of Women and Girls in Science to highlight the role of Qatari female scientists and researchers role in facing the coronavirus (COVID-19), as well as the achievements made by Qatari women, especially in the fields of scientific research. International Day of Women and Girls in Science, which is observed on February 11 every year, is a reminder of the important role of women and girls in all fields and strengthen support for them in the field of science and research, as well as emphasize their full and equal participation in it and appreciate their efforts, especially in the COVID-19 crisis. The celebration was organized through video conference technology, in cooperation with the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and the UNESCO Office in Doha, with the participation of a group of researchers, students and interested parties. Secretary-General of Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science Dr. Hamda Al Sulaiti said that the celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science is an opportunity to highlight the contributions of women in various fields of science, and to evoke their contribution to strengthening their position and active role in this field, pointing to the importance of education and gender equality in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Dr. Al Sulaiti affirmed the attention paid by the State of Qatar to women and its keenness to provide a stimulating environment to empower them in various fields, adding that Qatar's permanent constitution equates the two genders without discrimination in rights and duties, and there are national sectoral strategies that empower Qatari women and give them the opportunity to highlight and enhance their capabilities to serve their homeland, especially in the field of science and scientific research, which was embodied in Qatar's winning of the L'Oreal-UNESCO Prize for 2020, which is presented to distinguished women in the field of science. Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies at QU Professor Mariam Al Maadeed emphasized the role of women in the State of Qatar in confronting COVID-19, adding that this occasion is today in special circumstances as the world is facing the unprecedented pandemic that has changed life at all levels. She noted that the war against COVID-19 has become everyone's battle, in which female scientists stood in first lines alongside scientists, making impressive discoveries in researching the truth about the virus, creating an immunization vaccine against it, and ways to prevent and treat it. Professor Al Maadeed indicated that QU, in cooperation with the relevant national authorities, has strengthened scientific research to confront the pandemic, launching grants and programs and providing study and innovation capabilities to contain the virus. She noted that women in Qatar have responded to the pandemic from their various scientific, health, social and other positions, underlining that women made up a large proportion of the Qatari medical staff and made tremendous sacrifices in helping patients without tolerating their large family role. She pointed out that this celebration fully emphasizes the importance of the role of pioneering women in the State of Qatar, whose role and contribution in the fields of science is no less than any of their male counterparts, and highlights their huge efforts in supporting the Qatari community and pushing it towards continuous development and successes in the country. For his part, Danilo Padilla, from the UNESCO Office in Doha, noted that women provide different perspectives for research and scientific discussions about emerging technologies and innovations, adding that the contributions of women are crucial in generating more equitable and holistic responses to social issues of gender, which is why diversity and balance gender is important in all areas. He stressed that preparing national groups of scientists and researchers is crucial and more necessary than ever before to meet the most urgent challenges and to achieve the UN goals of sustainable development 2030. The ceremony included a discussion session, with the participation of a group of specialists and researchers in the fields of pandemics, innovations and research, which shed light on the reality of research and developments in the field of confronting COVID-19, as well as the role that Qatari scientists and researchers have played in this regard. (QNA)