QNRF HOLDS SEMINAR TO SHARE FINDINGS OF AUTISM-RELATED RESEARCH PROJECTS

Event held in accordance with Autism Awareness Month

Doha, Qatar, May 1, 2019: Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), a member of Qatar Foundation (QF), has hosted a Research Outcome Seminar (ROS) on the sidelines of the  Ministry of Public Health’s (MoPH) awareness forum titled ‘Towards Building a Supportive System for Early Intervention and Comprehensive Education for Autism Spectrum’,  at The St. Regis Doha.
The ROS-Autism event invited three distinguished investigators to share their autism-focused research outcomes and offer audience members interdisciplinary insights into their findings. The seminar gave the participating researchers an opportunity to share the findings of their research and receive feedback from relevant professionals and practitioners to further develop their projects. Moreover, the interactive seminar engaged participants and attendees to identify topics for future studies based on autism in Qatar.
The participating researchers were from Qatar University and Hamad Bin Khalifa University, a member of QF. They shared the outcomes of five QNRF-funded research projects at the seminar attended by students, researchers, experts, relevant stakeholders, and members of the general public.
The presented research projects explored different themes related to autism including: the prevalence of the disorder in Qatar; innovative ways to enhance the treatment and care for people with autism; and approaches and use of technology to develop and enhance communication skills of children with autism. The event was a step forward towards spreading knowledge and awareness about autism in Qatar. 
Dr. Enas Mohammed, Program Manager of Biomedical Sciences and Health Care at QNRF, said: “The selection of autism as the focus for this ROS event is a suitable and timely choice in accordance with April being Autism Awareness Month, not only in Qatar but worldwide. Autism has always been an important focus of research for QNRF as we actively support Qatar’s efforts to raise awareness about autism and integrate autistic individuals as productive members of our society through focusing on their abilities, not disabilities.
“Holding this ROS in conjunction with the MoPH’s forum emphasizes the importance that QNRF places on the collaboration with the ministry to put research and its outcomes at the service of the health sector and patients at large.”