DOHA QATAR University’s (QU) Social and Economic Survey Research Institute (SESRI) on Sunday renewed its partnership agreement with the University of Michigan’s (UM) Institute for Social Research (ISR) to expand the area of their collaboration to include establishment of the Policy Analysis Center and the Telephone Calling Center.
Under the partnership, the Policy Analysis Center will produce and disseminate SESRI reports about issues of public policy; archiving and making them accessible to QU faculty and students. The Telephone Calling Center will draw on SESRI’s face-toface survey operations.
The partnership will also see SESRI strengthen collaboration with ISR in designing and conducting academic research, advance relationships among ISR, SESRI and QU faculty and students as well as implement training and consultation activities.
QU President Prof Sheikha Abdulla al Misnad and UM Provost and Executive Vice-President for Academic Affairs Prof Philip Hanlon signed the agreement in the presence of SESRI Director Dr Darwish al Emadi and ISR Director Prof James Jackson.
Speaking at the event, Prof Misnad said, “As the Institute approaches the completion of the first phase of its development, we look forward to an exciting new phase where it will build on previous achievements and expand its facilities and services.” She said the renewed agreement will further develop SESRI’s capacity as a leading social science research organisation in Qatar and a key contributor to social science research in the Gulf.
“In four years, SESRI has garnered recognition, both locally and regionally, for its innovative surveys and capacity building workshops. The collaboration with the Institute for Social Research has ensured that every phase of the institute’s development has been implemented to the highest standards,” she said.
Dr Emadi said the center would be entrusted with the task of transforming the results of SESRI’s survey and other studies into policies to be implemented.
“The policy centre will establish a better link between the institute and various institutions so that they can benefit from the results of our services,” Emadi said.
Dr Emadi said the SESRI has conducted some successful researches, including its survey on ‘Life in Qatar’, the first-ever conducted in the country, the Social Capital Survey and the World Values Survey.
“As we approach the 5th year of SESRI’s operation, we renew our commitment to keeping abreast of the important social and economic developments that will impact society, such as those that will lead up to and accompany the World Cup 2022 to ensure that we contribute to the Qatar National Development Strategy 2011-2016 and the Qatar National Vision 2030,” he said.
On his part, Prof Hanlon said, “Evidence of SESRI’s accomplishments comes not only from the quality of the surveys it carries out but also from its success in obtaining grants in international peer-reviewed competitions and in publishing reports of its research in peer- international journals.” UM Vice-Provost for International Affairs Dr Mark Tessler said, “All of us at the university have found our collaboration with SESRI not only to be enjoyable but also rewarding. It has been satisfying because of Qatar University’s visionary leadership and the opportunity to work with a dedicated team of professionals.” Other dignitaries at the signing ceremony were US Ambassador to Qatar and UM alum HE Susan L Ziadeh, QU Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer Dr Humaid al Midfaa, Acting Vice-President for Academic Affairs Dr Mazen Hasna, Vice-President for Institutional Planning and Development Dr Saif al Sowaidi, Director of ISR Center for Political Studies Dr Nancy Burns as well as SESRI faculty members, students and US embassy staff.
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