Doha - Arabstoday
Qatar’s National Research Strategy is to be unveiled at the Joint Qatar Foundation Annual Research Forum and Arab Expatriate Scientists Network Symposium that HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of QF, officially launches at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) today. Co-hosted by Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) and the Arab Expatriate Scientists (AES) Network, the event will serve as a platform to unveil the Qatar National Research Strategy (QNRS). Top Arab scientists from around the globe are attending the three-day forum. Alongside revealing a roadmap for implementing the Qatar National Research Strategy, scientists will present research in the fields that Qatar has identified as national priorities.These include: health and biomedicine; energy and environment; computing and information technology; arts, behavioural and social sciences, humanities, and Islamic studies. “One of Qatar’s aims is to become an intellectual centre for research and development excellence and innovation. Today represents one more step towards the process of transforming Qatar from a carbon economy into that knowledge-based economy. This is an opportunity for research and institutions to demonstrate the initiatives that have been developed in the last year,” said Faisal al-Suwaidi, president of Research and Development, Qatar Foundation. “The Forum will create a platform that will facilitate co-ordination and collaboration between key individuals in each research discipline that will benefit Qatar and the wider Gulf region,” al-Suwaidi added. Some of the highlights of the three-day event include the launch of the Qatar National Cancer Research Strategy, which will be unveiled today by professor Lord Darzi, as well as an update from the Arab Expatriate Scientists (AES) Network on the activities that have taken place over the last year. In addition, the research poster presentations submitted for expert review will be on display throughout the three days at the QNCC. The prestigious event is bringing together research organisations, policymakers, industry leaders and future scientists from around the globe to enable dialogue that will encourage the transference of knowledge and build significant partnerships that will advance Qatar’s national research. The Annual Research Forum, held under the patronage of chairperson of QF, is a QF initiative rooted in the State of Qatar’s national strategy to foster a community of research excellence and world-class education.