Dr. Halima Bensmail, Principal Scientist and Associate Professor, Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University, delivered a talk entitled "Toward a Successful Reopening of the Economy: Epidemiological Insights SPECS". The talk was part of a webinar hosted by the Texas Tech University (TTU) Obesity Research Institute (ORI).

Continuing to cement itself as a leading point of reference for research on Islamic finance, the College of Islamic Studies (CIS) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Qatar FinTech Hub (QFTH).

Through the agreement, CIS and QFTH will engage and contribute actively to the development of the financial technology (FinTech) industry in Qatar. HBKU will also provide inputs and opinions on matters relating to the industry and participate in key events hosted by QFTH. 

How courts have adapted to COVID-19 provided the backdrop for a recent webinar co-organized by the College of Law at Hamad Bin Khalifa University and the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC). The American Society of International Law (ASIL) also served as a sponsor of the event, which attracted participants from around the world.  

Ajarat M. Bada
Graduation Year: 2015
Occupation: Business and Organizational Designer, Kaiser Permanente, United States

How is your current work/research supporting in the fight against the current COVID-19 pandemic? 

The College of Science and Engineering (CSE) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) has collaborated with the Ministry of Transport and Communications’ (MoTC) Qatar Digital Government Training Program to deliver a series of webinars. Taking place between June 21 and July 2, the series provided multiple perspectives on COVID-19 research and applications. The webinars were delivered by a number of consultants and experts in the field.

COVID-19 has undoubtedly had a massive impact on the global tourism industry, perhaps none more so than in Europe where many countries are considering or have already reopened resorts to limit the damage. While Qatar’s tourism sector remains small by comparison, there can be no denying that it has also taken a hit. However, this is not the first time the country has confronted an existential challenge to this increasingly important economic activity.

As countries and cities re-open around the world, amid the hopeful signs we also hear of setbacks, spikes, and re-closings. While there is still much we do not know about COVID-19, the last six months have taught us at least five basic lessons, and one big truth. 

The world has been subjected to an unprecedented lockdown due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2.

COVID-19 has killed more people than its predecessors, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV - the respective causes of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) - combined, despite SARS-CoV-2 having a lower fatality rate. 

While any time is a good time to stop smoking, COVID-19 has made it difficult for smokers to seek professional advice and support. Difficult, but by no means impossible.

Beyond the devastating human consequences of a pandemic that has swept across the Arab region, COVID-19 is causing significant social and economic turmoil in the region, driven in particular by a drop in domestic and external demand, reduction in trade, disruption of production, falling consumer confidence, and tightening of financial c