Doha: More than 1,300 scientific abstracts have been received by the Qatar Foundation Annual Research Conference (ARC) for its 2016 edition, a record number since the conference’s inception in 2010, organisers have said.

Submissions for ARC’16 have seen an 11 per cent increase since last year’s conference with submissions from the local community comprising 64 per cent and the international community 36 per cent of all abstracts.

Under the patronage of Shaikha Mouza Bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, this year’s conference, will be held under the theme “Investing in Research and Innovating for Society”, on March 22-23.

ARC’s Abstract Review Committee reviewed over 1,300 abstract submissions and the evaluation criteria included research quality, originality, merit, relevance to Qatar and the Grand Challenges as stipulated within the Qatar National Research Strategy (QNRS) — water security, energy security, cyber security as well as health care.

Over 600 poster presenters along with about 50 oral presenters will have the opportunity to contend for the Best Poster and Research Presentation Awards respectively.

“Since its inception in 2010, the Qatar Foundation Annual Research Conference has attracted the world’s foremost scientists and research entities from Qatar and beyond, providing the appropriate platform to address the most prominent challenges facing not only Qatar’s society, but also the global community as well,” Dr Nabeel Al Salem, Executive Director of Outreach and Communications at QF R&D, said.

“The calibre of abstract submissions this year are a direct reflection of the strides Qatar is making in research and national development initiatives, consistent with the efforts undertaken by Qatar Foundation Research & Development in addressing the research priorities identified by the Qatar National Research Strategy,” he added.

This year’s conference will also be launching Qatar Foundation’s prestigious Research Project Award and Innovation Award, to recognise local examples of outstanding, commercially viable innovation. The conference programme also includes the announcement of successful grant applicants under Qatar National Research Fund’s National Priorities Research Programme.

ARC 2014 attracted over 2,000 delegates and 22 local and international researchers received recognition for their presentations and posters.