Qatar Finance and Business Academy (QFBA) has announced the winners of the first edition of the Financial Researcher Award, in a special ceremony held to celebrate the outstanding efforts of undergraduate and postgraduate students and recognize their innovative research in the fields of finance and business.The Academy launched the award under the sponsorship of Doha Bank, with the aim of encouraging and supporting the next generation of financial researchers in Qatar, promoting a culture of academic excellence, creativity, and innovation, and providing a platform for young researchers to showcase their work and contribute to the growth and development of the financial and banking sector in the country.The award was open for submissions from October 15 to December 1, 2024, during which universities were invited to nominate top students to participate with their academic research.CEO’s RemarksOn this occasion, Dr. Khalifa Al-Sulaiti Al-Yafei, CEO of Qatar Finance and Business Academy, expressed his pride in the success of the first edition of the award, noting that this initiative reflects the Academy’s commitment to supporting young research talent and fostering innovation in the financial sector.He stated:"This award comes as part of our commitment to supporting the scientific research environment in the fields of finance and business, and to recognizing intellectual efforts that contribute to establishing knowledge foundations that enhance market efficiency and the development of human capital. This aligns with the goals of the Third National Development Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030. The award is one of the initiatives aimed at entrenching a culture of research excellence and will be held annually to encourage more high-quality research and connect its outcomes with practical applications in the national economy."He continued:“We would also like to commend Doha Bank for its sponsorship of the award, which reflects its commitment to supporting scientific research and encouraging innovation in the financial sector. We congratulate all the winners on their outstanding achievements and look forward to continuing to support researchers in future editions.”Award Ceremony HighlightsThe event included the honoring of sponsors, led by Doha Bank, in recognition of their vital role in supporting the award. Also recognized were the judging panel, composed of esteemed academics and experts, as well as all student participants whose exceptional research contributions helped make the first edition of the award a success.Evaluation Criteria and WinnersAt the end of the ceremony, the Academy announced the winners across five award categories. Winners were selected by an independent jury based on rigorous scientific criteria, which included:Originality and innovationMethodologyDepth of analysisRelevance and impactPractical applicationContribution to knowledgeThe results were as follows:Best Qatari Financial ResearcherButhaina Rashid Al-SaidiQFBA in collaboration with Northumbria UniversityResearch Title: "The Impact of Investment Diversification on the Financial Performance of Listed Insurance Companies in the Qatari Financial Market."Best Undergraduate Research ProjectFirst Place:Jamila Ali MohammedQFBA in collaboration with Northumbria UniversityResearch Title: "Exploring the Integration of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Investments into Socially Responsible Investments (SRI) in Qatar."Second Place:Abeeha ShoaibCarnegie Mellon University in QatarResearch Title: "Analyzing the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Operational Performance of Shariah-Compliant versus Conventional Companies."Best Postgraduate Research ProjectFirst Place:Ameera AnzUniversity of Doha for Science and TechnologyResearch Title: "Sustainability Performance, Credit Ratings, and Stock Prices: A Global Study."Second Place:Bashayer Al-KaabiQatar UniversityResearch Title: "Analyzing the Impact of Climate Change-Related News Content on Stock Markets in the GCC Countries."Award ParticipationThe first edition of the Financial Researcher Award witnessed strong participation from outstanding students across leading academic institutions in Qatar, including:Qatar UniversityUniversity of Doha for Science and TechnologyCarnegie Mellon University in QatarQFBA in collaboration with Northumbria UniversityHamad Bin Khalifa UniversityParticipants submitted high-quality research addressing innovative financial and economic topics, shedding light on challenges and innovations in business and financial markets, reflecting the growing interest in scientific research in this vital field.