Dalal Ghanim Al Romaihi – the fourteen-year-old author of the 2020 HBKU Press World Book Day book selection Where Is My Teacher? – can usually be found in her class or at home with a book propped open in her lap or a pen in her hand, reading about other worlds or furtively creating her own. Inspired by her mother, who is also a best-selling HBKU Press author, Dalal took a leap of faith to make her dream of becoming an author come true sooner than she imagined – and believes young writers everywhere should be encouraged to do the same.

Written by 14-year-old Dalal Ghanim Al-Romaihi, Where Is My Teacher? is Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press’ (HBKU Press) selection for this year’s World Book Day. 

World Book Day is an annual event that was launched by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1995. Each year, HBKU Press selects a children’s book that embodies their commitment to highlighting local narratives on the world stage while promoting a love of literacy and reading among youth.

The Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), is committed to supporting Qatar in its fight against climate change, and in advancing sustainability in country and beyond; such support includes cutting-edge research and innovation in areas including air quality, energy and water. In line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the National Research Strategy, QEERI aims to make a lasting positive impact on Qatar. 

What are your most prominent research efforts currently?

Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI) makes significant contributions through its research centers that focus on vital areas including cybersecurity, social computing, Arabic language technologies, data analytics and software engineering. 

The centers conduct artificial intelligence (AI)-centric research, analytical studies of social media platforms, and research on digital health.  

What are your most prominent research efforts currently?

Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) focuses on research in areas as diverse and synergistic as the environment and sustainability, earth sciences, natural and environmental hazards, corrosion, computational modeling, energy and water; with a focus on desert environments such as Qatar.

Are you engaged in research related to tackling the coronavirus (COVID-19) and what is it?

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Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press’s Head of Journals and Academic Publishing, Dr. Rima J. Isaifan, has recently published what might be considered one of the first research articles that examines the environmental impact of COVID-19.

“As devastating as this pandemic has proven to be, it is important to examine all of the various impacts that the disease is having on our societies and on the environment,” Dr. Isaifan explains.

Schools and universities around the world have closed their doors since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Campuses, classrooms and libraries remain empty as a measure to ensure the health and wellbeing of everyone connected to the educational sector.

Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press (HBKU Press) has opened a call for submissions for any literary and/or artistic works inspired by life in confinement due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and personal changes that have occurred as a result of the world in crisis.

As part of its enduring commitment to a safe and healthy campus, Student Affairs at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) is offering students, staff and faculty online counseling sessions as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic unfolds.