This year’s finalists, which include submissions from the academic years 2019-20 and 2020-21, featured journalistic, multimedia, and research projects tackling pressing global issues, ranging from a film on a Yemeni refugee who found love in South Korea to news articles on racism in the Arab World and social distancing, to research projects on digital diplomacy, education in Palestine, and the politics of climate change.
In past years, projects that have been recognized in the award ceremony have received recognition globally. “From a nomination for a Student Academy Award – a rare honor for an undergraduate – to films being broadcast over Al Jazeera and honored at film festivals around the world, including Cannes, Northwestern Qatar students – and alumni – are telling their stories to the world,” said Marwan M. Kraidy, Dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar.
Due to the global pandemic, last year’s awards ceremony was postponed, and the winners were announced along with this year’s winners. There were nearly 100 submissions in three main categories — Written Word, Moving Image, and Co-curricular Projects — from the last two academic years.
At the ceremony announcing the winners, the president of NU-Q’s Student Union, Hamad Alfayhani, complimented the students on the work they produced during a global pandemic. “In times when our ability to create has been constrained by circumstances outside our control, we found the resilience within our community to push forward and accomplish our joint vision,” he said. “This year forced us all into a continuous period of self-reflection – having those moments is what we all needed to find our way back to doing what we truly love to do.”
Shortlisted projects for this year’s awards were submitted and evaluated by a panel of judges, which included Northwestern Qatar faculty and industry experts from leading media organizations, including Al Jazeera, Doha Film Institute, Ginger Camel, The Film House, I Love Qatar, Gulf Times, Memac Ogilvy, Al Kass Sports Channels.
Here are the winners for 2020 and 2021:
2020 Research and Media Awards
Written Word
Creative Writing
A Ramadan Night by Al Anood Al Aqeedi
Journalistic Writing
The Orientalist Coverage of the Qatar World Cup by Inaara Gangji
Strategic Communication
Save Your Smile Oral Health Campaign by Dana Abu Shanab, Hadice Koç, Rumeysa Koç, and Tamadur Al-Mannai
Research And Analysis – Humanities
The Ancient Practice of Sati by Roja Pande
Research And Analysis – Social Science
Digital Diplomacy During the First 100 Days by Tarfa Al Mansouri, Haya Al Mohannadi, and Mariam Feroun
Moving Image
Documentary
Burhan by Salwa Sadek
Narrative Fiction
Saudade Dalal Garai and Ahmed Jassim
News
Prison, Death or Unsafe Abortion? by Hazar Kilani
Co-curricular Projects
Published News
More Than Just The Cancer by Salwa Sadek
Funded Moving Image
In the Middle by Mariam Al-Dhubhani, Mohammed Al Jaberi, and Noor Abunabaa
Written Word
Creative Writing
Work in Progress by Kayan Khraisheh
Journalistic Writing
COVID-19 Causing a New Wave of Plastic Pollution by Maha Al-Kuwari
Strategic Communication
Changed Digital Marketing Strategy by Inaara Gangji, Khadija Islow, and Farina Amir
Research And Analysis – Humanities
The Impact of WikiLeaks on Journalism by Safae Daoudi
Research And Analysis – Social Science
The Politics of Climate Change by Natasha Das
Moving Image
Documentary
Karim the Dream by Karim Emara
Narrative Fiction
Of Things That Shouldn't Be by Princess Collado and Mohammed Al-Khulaifi
News
Key Frames by Yanet Chernet, Farah Gomaa, Rahma El Deeb, Danna Takriti, Salma Al Delaimi, Inaara Gangji, and Nada Qaddourah
Co-curricular Projects
Published News
Not So Daily Show by Farah Gomaa, Karim Emara, Lojaina Gomaa, Rea Mishra, and Farouk Essalhi
Funded Moving Image
Home to Home: How a Yemeni Refugee Found Love in South Korea by Juyoung Choi and Mohammad Saad Ejaz
