QF program offers real-life work experience to high school students

Haya Al Kubaisi, a Qatari 12th-grade student at Qatar Academy Doha is navigating new fields of science and enriching her undergraduate portfolio with her application to the High School Research Experience Program.

“Every year, various researchers around Qatar apply for scholarships to support young scientific researchers,” said Al Kubaisi, who applied for the second year in a row in the High School Research Experience Program (HSREP) initiated by Qatar National Research Fund - a member of Qatar Foundation (QF). “I was one of the lucky recipients last year to be selected to work with Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute and Hamad Bin Khalifa University to assist with a research on solar forecasting.

“When I was selected to participate again this year, I decided to work on a project in a completely different field, which is adolescent mental health. And with my Innovation Coupon project, which mainly covers areas in the medical field, I felt this project would further enhance my understanding in this area, and help me develop new skills.”

Brett Scott, a coordinator of HSREP in Qatar Academy Doha – A school under Qatar Foundation’s Pre-University Education, as well as a Senior School English Teacher and Grade 12 Level Leader at the school, explains that the program offers senior students an opportunity to pursue an area of vocational interest, and is specifically designed for high school students to connect with academic mentors to explore various fields of science over a 12-month period.

“The HSREP aims to build a solid research foundation in students before they pursue their undergraduate studies by introducing them to research design and methodologies in various disciplines.

“In Haya’s case, she participated this year in a research about adolescent mental health, led by Dr. Mustafa AbdulKarim, the Supervisor and Lead Investigator of the research at Hamad Medical Corporation, to study the impact of COVID-19 on high schoolers’ mental health,” Scott said.

Through her participation in the program this year, Al Kubaisi is currently involved in data collection – creating surveys which cites students’ perspectives on mental health across QF schools; gaining medical knowledge on identifying different mental health disorders and their symptoms; and learning about the systems that measure people’s awareness of mental health services available to them.

“The trainings and real work experience I had through HSREP over the span of two years helped me explore my true passions and interests. It provided me with real input in the areas I chose for my projects. And although my plan is to study computer science, I am fortunate I had the opportunity to discover the field of mental health this year,” Al Kubaisi said.

Scott believes receiving hands-on work experience complements students’ academic abilities. He said: “The program enables students’ access to expertise in real research-based collaborative working environments, providing them with insight, knowledge and understanding of the attributes that employers seek in employees.

“It also helps them explore potential career paths and develop increased self-awareness, maturity, independence and self-confidence.”