DOHA, QATAR – Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) has been awarded four National Priorities Research Program (NPRP) grants by the Qatar National Research Fund. The grants will fund CMU-Q faculty studies on breast cancer, water quality, computer science education, and marine environmental monitoring.
“This is an exceptional outcome for CMU-Q,” says Kemal Oflazer, associate dean for research. “Although these projects focus on very different aspects of biological sciences and computer science, each has the potential to make a significant impact in its area.”
Saquib Razak, associate teaching professor of computer science, was awarded a grant to expand Alice Middle East, an interactive software tool that guides students through the basics of computer programming. With the NPRP grant, Razak and the Alice ME team will develop a three-year curriculum for local middle schools. The new curriculum will focus on computational concepts and critical thinking, which are crucial skills for young people as they enter the workforce.