Latest news with #AbeerAlKuwari
Qatar Tribune
19-05-2025
- General
- Qatar Tribune
QNL invites scholars to explore Qatar's heritage
Tribune News Network Doha Building on the success of its inaugural edition, Qatar National Library (QNL) has unveiled the second round of its research fellowship programme, inviting scholars based in Qatar to explore the nation's rich history through the library's exceptional heritage collections. The six-month residential fellowship, beginning in September 2025, provides selected fellows with a monthly stipend, full access to QNL's resources and dedicated support to conduct original research. Open to Qatari citizens and expatriate residents living in Doha, the programme welcomes proposals across a wide range of topics—from social and economic developments to architectural traditions and natural resource management—from the 18th century through to the 1980s. Applications are open until June 17, 2025, and the selected fellows will be announced by July 15. 'The QNL Fellowship is more than a research opportunity — it's an invitation to rediscover Qatar's past and offer new perspectives on our collective memory,' said Abeer Al Kuwari, director of National Collection and Special Initiatives at Qatar National Library. 'We're proud to support researchers in uncovering stories that shape our national identity and ensuring these narratives endure for future generations.' Fellows are expected to dedicate 20 to 25 hours per week to their research, submit a final paper and participate in presentations and discussions throughout the fellowship period. The inaugural fellowship, launched in October 2024, underscored the programme's potential to foster meaningful scholarship and original research. The first round awarded three fellows whose diverse academic and specialized backgrounds brought fresh perspectives to the study of Qatar's history, culture and environment. Their projects drew extensively on QNL's collections and digital resources, with each fellow crediting the library's support and mentorship as instrumental to their work and discoveries. 'Qatar National Library provided me with access to a wide range of resources related to Qatari architecture, with the architectural photo archive from the Heritage Library being one of the most prominent and valuable,' said Ghalia Al Muhanadi, a fellow of the Qatar National Library Fellowship Programme. 'My research focused on the sensory and spatial experience of traditional Qatari architecture, including intangible elements such as light, shadow and texture, which influence how people interact with space.'
Qatar Tribune
04-05-2025
- General
- Qatar Tribune
QNL welcomes experts at IFLA MENA regional division committee meeting
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar National Library (QNL) welcomed 18 experts from across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in a bid to strengthen the role of libraries in preserving cultural heritage, empowering communities and embracing digital transformation across the region. The event held at QNL, which was chosen in August 2023 as the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) MENA Regional Office, marked the regional division committee's second in-person meeting since its establishment following an inaugural session in November 2023. The latest milestone reflects IFLA's growing focus on localized collaboration and regional engagement to address global challenges, leveraging regionally driven solutions. The committee brought together representatives from 18 countries for strategic discussions around setting future regional priorities, fostering cross-border collaboration, and advancing key initiatives such as QNL and IFLA's Libraries Lead Forum and the development of sustainable projects. Qatar National Library contributed to the committee's work through the participation of Abeer Al Kuwari, director of National Collection and Special Initiatives, who serves as a mentor within the committee, and Eiman Alshamari, manager of the IFLA MENA Regional Office, who serves as an observer. 'The IFLA meeting underscores our shared vision to position libraries as cultural hubs that empower our communities today and preserve our heritage for future generations,' said Al Kuwari. The latest meeting reflects QNL's commitment to supporting IFLA in its mission to bolster the capacity of libraries across the Arab world and to foster regional collaboration.
