In concurrence with the countdown to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute (SESRI) at Qatar University (QU) organized the second virtual research symposium for the term Fall 2022 entitled “Survey Research and Sports: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022” yesterday, in the presence of QU President Dr. Hassan Al-Derham; Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies, Prof. Mariam Al-Maadeed; and Director of SESRI Prof. Kaltham Al-Ghanim, joined by a group of academics, researchers, and stakeholders.

Dr. Hassan Al-Derham praised the Institute’s efforts saying, “The Social and Economic Survey Research Institute at Qatar University has conducted several studies to guide the public and the government, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030, which sets out the long-term goals and national development strategies of the country. In addition, the work of SESRI serves Qatar University’s research objectives by expanding partnerships with ministries and prominent institutions in Qatar and abroad.”

Prof. Kaltham Al-Ghanim stated that in conjunction with the State of Qatar hosting the FIFA World Cup for the first time in the Middle East, SESRI had several lengthy research projects related to this important event, including:

• Survey of Perceptions and Attitudes towards the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 for the consecutive years (2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022)

• Workers Welfare Survey for the (SC) for consecutive years (2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022)

• FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Survey, Perceptions and Attitudes of Qatari Citizens and Expats (2022 and 2023)

In addition, the symposium included four main themes. The first theme was on the social impact of the World Cup, presented by Prof. Abdullah Diop, Manager of the Research Department at SESRI. This topic focused on the social impacts of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and the surveys conducted by SESRI on attitudes and perceptions of Qataris and expats in Qatar.

The second theme was related to the Socio-cultural impact of the World Cup, discussed by Dr. Abdellatif Sellami to present SESRI’s recent studies on the socio-cultural impacts of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

The third theme discussed mental health, Dr. Salma Khaled presented an overview of the mental health status of residents and nationals of Qatar leading up to the World Cup: Findings from the World Mental Health Qatar Survey.

Finally, the fourth theme was on SESRI’s data collection methods for the 2022 World Cup. It included two presentations; the first on face-to-face interviewing (CAPI) presented by Mr. Assem Abdel Hameed, and the second presentation on Telephone Interviewing (CATI) presented by Mr. John Lee Holmes.

All efforts are intertwined towards contributing to making the global event exceptional by all standards.

Source: Qatar University