Qatar University Launches Annual Research Forum and Exhibition 2022

Annual Research Forum and Exhibition 2022

Qatar University has launched today the Annual Research Forum and Exhibition 2022, which is held under the title "Research, Innovation and Sustainability: Engaging Nations through Sports", in the presence of HE Minister of Sports and Youth Salah Bin Ghanim Al-Ali, and with the participation of a number of researchers, experts, stakeholders, partners, institutions and research centers.

Organized under the auspices of ExxonMobil Qatar, the 2-day forum aims to highlight Qatar University's research efforts in addressing issues and challenges facing society, through research based on active and interactive partnerships with industry and many other stakeholders.

Important and award-winning research is also highlighted, which enhances the university's vision and supports the research priorities of the State of Qatar, the goals and Qatar National Vision 2030, as well as the achievement of research-based learning, discovery and entrepreneurship.

This year, the forum links sport, research, innovation and sustainability, coinciding with the country's hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the aftermath of the covid-19 pandemic, combining advances in research and innovation despite the current health conditions during the pandemic and beyond, with an emphasis on sustainability issues related to the post-World Cup period, and working to improve the well-being of society.

HE President of Qatar University Dr. Hassan bin Rashid Al-Dirham said that this forum has become a forum for scientists, researchers and students to present their research projects, highlight their abilities and potentials, and a platform to communicate with local partners to publicize the university's research achievements.

His Excellency explained to press that the forum reflects the amazing progress reached by the university in the field of research, development and innovation, and highlights the tireless efforts to transfer technology to the industry with which people are associated with to a broad partnership, stressing that Qatar University has set its research priorities in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030, and has achieved a lot in this regard, adding that all of us soon will see the reflection of these efforts on the economic diversification of the country to enhance sustainable development efforts.

His Excellency pointed out that this year's forum linked sports, research, innovation and sustainable development in order to introduce Qatar University's research efforts in hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and its initiatives since Qatar won the hosting in 2010, stressing that the university is now fully prepared to contribute to this sporting event through its multiple partnerships and projects completed in cooperation with the concerned authorities of the championship, pointing in a related context to the University's embrace of the national teams of Spain and Argentina during the tournament.

His Excellency underlined that the university has contributed to many things such as the adaptation of stadiums, a smart platform for the road network and traffic, as well as socio-economic and health surveys, volunteer training and others.

Regarding the Qatar University Holding Company, which is participating for the first time in the forum, HE the President of Qatar University clarified that the company was established a year ago to support research projects carried out by the university by turning innovations into marketable products. 

Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies, Professor Mariam Al Maadeed highlighted the university's research and graduate studies activities, and the extent of the development of the university's research infrastructure, including research centers and institutes, laboratories, projects and initiatives aimed to benefit researchers, students and the local community in general.

Al Maadeed showed some figures that reflect the research accomplishments including 3000 peer-reviewed researches, more than 85 patents, and about 250 memoranda of understanding, 100 of them signed with partners from outside Qatar.

She affirmed that Qatar University is keen to localize technology, meet the requirements of innovators, support patents, develop scholarships, funding, marketing, internal and external partnerships, and other practices that support the contribution of research centers and researchers in building a knowledge economy and enhancing sustainable development plans.

Secretary-General of the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council, Omar Ali Al Ansari, presented an integrated vision of the factors that promote the continuation of building a knowledge-based economy, and the council's role in this process.

He stressed that the State of Qatar possesses all the elements for the success of its plans for economic diversification and building a sustainable knowledge economy, highlighting development, research and innovation efforts in various sectors in the country under the QRDI Strategy 2030.

Al Ansari hailed the success achieved by the State of Qatar over the past two decades, most notably the creation of a new industry through the development of LNG technology that has contributed to prosperity in addition to the regional and global achievement of hosting the World Cup.

He added that Qatar was now doing great efforts to diversify its economy, and build a knowledge-based economy to reach the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030.

Vice President and Ventures Manager at ExxonMobil Qatar Ltd, Jagir Baxi highlighted in the opening session the partnership and cooperation between the company and Qatar University, and the ensuing projects and achievements to serve the local community.

This year's forum focuses on themes related to the role of scientific research and innovation to achieve sustainability, with a focus on facing the most pressing challenges in the world, such as the role of sport in uniting nations, the sports industry, water security, industries and innovations.

To discuss these themes, the first day of the forum will see three panels attended by representatives from various academic, industrial and government sectors. The panels are titled "research and innovation in sports and beyond", "sustainability strategy: models from industry and sports", and "legacy and sustainability in security and health".

The second day includes several seminars presented by ExxonMobil Qatar, including "academia and industry towards sustainability," and "use of nanoparticles and algal technologies in industrial wastewater treatment".

The exhibition associated with this year's forum showcases the university's most important research achievements, outputs and activities. It also includes a special pavilion for research in various research fields that dealt with the country's hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

On the sidelines of the forum, Qatar University will seal a joint doctorate program agreement with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and an applied industrial technology agreement with the Brazilian company Blue Reef. Also, the university will honor its teaching staff, researchers and university students and present a number of research and postgraduate awards.

(QNA)