NU-Q students receive media, research awards

The Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) felicitated the winners of its annual ‘Media and Research Awards’, which highlight students’ successes in areas of research, documentary, creative writing, fiction, news, and multimedia content.“This is a chance for NU-Q students to have their academic and professional work in journalism, films and research assessed by outside experts who give them consistently high marks,” said NU-Q dean and CEO Everette E Dennis.Prior to the awards ceremony, the university showcased the works of all nominees at the HBKU Student Centre in Education City.All of the submissions were adjudicated by local and international industry leaders, many of whom were present at both events to recognise the efforts of the nominees.This year’s winners are Amna al-Baker for ‘Chromosomes’ (creative writing), Maryam al-Thani and Sheikha Bahzad for ‘Al Ghwasa – Pearl Diving’ (documentary), Suleima AlHaj Abed and Hissa al-Mannai for ‘Mkhammar’ (fiction film), Jemina Legaspi and Mohamed Faizan Shakir for ‘Somewhere, Sometime’ (independent image), Sara Zainel for ‘Peregrine’ (independent writing), Habibah Abass and Ifath Sayed for ‘Underreported Rape Crimes in Qatar’ (journalistic writing) and Urooj Azmi for ‘Graphics Corner’ (multimedia).In the field of research, the winners are Shakeeb Asrar for ‘Evolution in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia’ (humanities), and Mohamed Faizan Shakir for ‘Effects of Childhood Cancer on Siblings and their Coping Mechanisms’ (social sciences).“We want to keep telling stories and give awareness to all those who don’t have a platform to project their stories or struggles,” communication sophomore Hissa al-Mannai said of her award-winning film, which examines the Palestinian identity.The ‘Media and Research Awards’ marks the conclusion of NU-Q’s ‘Go Wild Week’, the annual spirit week on campus.Throughout the event, NU-Q Student Union organises events and activities for the student body, staff, faculty, alumni, and the extended Northwestern community.